Wi Fi on buses

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Sign of the (Brisbane) Times: wi-fi bus hits the road


http://images.brisbanetimes.com.au/2011/11/10/2764238/wifibus-420x0.jpg

Sign of the (Brisbane) Times: wi-fi bus hits the road
Katherine Feeney
November 10, 2011 - 2:46PM

Brisbane buses are to offer free wi-fi internet for commuters as part of a three-month trial launched today.

brisbanetimes.com.au has signed on to be launch sponsor of the trial, which will see two Brisbane City Council buses provide free internet for commuters.

The free scheme is supported by advertising, saving ratepayers from footing the bill.

The buses will operate across various routes from the north to south side of the city until the end of January, and Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the council would be watching user response with interest to see whether a wider rollout was viable.

"We started with two parks enabled with wireless, now we have 20, and today we launch two busses," Cr Quirk said.

"I think commuters will appreciate the service enabled by brisbanetimes.com.au."

The wi-fi uses APN transit technology, which debuted on select Melbourne trams last year.

It makes free internet available to anyone within a 100-metre radius of the transmitters using a wireless enabled device.

APN marketing general manager Paul McBeth said that the service relied on two internet service providers to ensure smooth, unrestricted surfing for users.

"There's a significant community benefit as well as the obvious advantage for advertisers," Mr McBeth said.

"It's reasonable to expect as the price of technology continues to come down, we'll start to see more public wireless introduced."

Mr McBeth said there was a good chance more wireless transit spaces would be available in Brisbane following the three month brisbanetimes.com.au trial.

The brisbanetimes.com.au wi-fi buses are operational from today until January 28 and will operate across various Brisbane city transport routes.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/sign-of-the-brisbane-times-wifi-bus-hits-the-road-20111110-1n8vf.html#ixzz1dH859ofy

[Golliwog]

I like the idea, though I think it'll be much more expensive to roll out than on the trains, simply due to the number of buses.

[#Metro]

To be honest, I don't know why these schemes get up. I don't see much purpose in it.

If people want to read the news, there's 3G and 4G mobile data they can use on iPhones and iPads that they probably already have.

I just don't get it.

[SurfRail]

To be honest, I don't know why these schemes get up. I don't see much purpose in it.

If people want to read the news, there's 3G and 4G mobile data they can use on iPhones and iPads that they probably already have.

I just don't get it.

Who cares - it's revenue neutral, and we don't all have mobile internet.  By your logic, we shouldn't have payphones, yet you can still find them everywhere and in good working order.  Or, for that matter, any wifi access anywhere.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Who even has enough room on a bumpy bus let alone use it to connect to the interwebz on your notebook. I'd rather play games such as what's that smell or human tetris

[Golliwog]

I wouldn't use it with my laptop (it's not massive, but it's certainly no little netbook) but would just use it to browse the internet on my phone and check emails. I can already do that with 3G, but my current plan doesn't have a massive data allowance so usually don't.

I don't think this is needed, but if it brings people onto the system, then good on it, provided it isn't too costly. And in this case, isn't it being funded by brisbanetimes.com.au?

[ozbob]

I have used my little lap top on a few bus runs around Brisbane (own mobile modem though).  It is not as easy to use as when on a train but can be done.  As far as scoring the free wifi bus on your bus trip though, it is less likely than finding yourself on SMU 261.

[Otto]

It appears to be a Carina depot bus in the photo ( B7R )..
I may just score it on my runs !!!

[Golliwog]

It appears to be a Carina depot bus in the photo ( B7R )..
I may just score it on my runs !!!

Haha, if this gets up you and your fellow bus drivers can cruise Facebook all day! 

[HappyTrainGuy]

Gives them something to do in the CCBS-SBBS queues

[ozbob]

Twitter

kellyyyllek Kelly
Oh hey @brisbanetimes new Wi-fi bus! I just spotted you on the 209 route! Feels exciting to be in these new times (mind the pun).
1 hour ago

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Great to see excitement about public transport ...  

Gee, imagine the excitement if trains left Caboolture and Ipswich every 15 minutes on an express pattern ...  

[Fares_Fair]

 

[ozbob]

It appears to be a Carina depot bus in the photo ( B7R )..
I may just score it on my runs !!!

Hope you score Otto.  Be interesting to know how it works on the bus etc. and if the driver has to do anything etc.

[Fares_Fair]

It appears to be a Carina depot bus in the photo ( B7R )..
I may just score it on my runs !!!

Eyes on the road Otto, eyes on the road ... 

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Otto]

I will try it out on my phone... Will be good to check the BOM site when storms approach ...

[Golliwog]

Eyes on the road Otto, eyes on the road ... 

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

...I've had a bus driver reading a book at red lights on the 390. And I've heard of one reading a newspaper whilst NOT at a red light...