Queensland Rail Free Wi-Fi

[ClintonL94]

http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/RAILSERVICES/CITY/Pages/wifi.aspx

"Queensland Rail is looking to improve the travel experience for our customers through the introduction of Wi-Fi on our City network trains.

We are testing the service on one of our carriages which will roam across the city network for a two month period to test performance.

If you find yourself on our Wi-Fi carriage, follow these instructions to start using our free Wi-Fi service:

Step 1:   Make sure that you are in a stable position within the carriage.
Step 2:   Ensure your wireless enabled laptop or Smart Phone is turned on and has its wireless signal/ switch activated.
Step 3:   Go to the Available Wireless Network Connection List as displayed on your laptop or Smart Phone.
Step 4:   Navigate to 'Queensland Rail Free Wi-Fi' from the list and then select 'connect'.
Step 5:   Open your internet browser and you will be directed to the Queensland Rail Free Wi-Fi landing page. The Terms and Conditions of use will be displayed and must be accepted before you can use the Free Wi-Fi service.
Step 6:   Once the Terms and Conditions are accepted, you will be taken to the Free Wi-Fi launch page. You can then navigate away from this page and use your free Wi-Fi
Should you exhaust your data allocation, you will be disconnected from the Wi-Fi network. Your connection will be reset 4 hours after you first started using the service.

We welcome any feedback you might have on this trial. You may submit feedback through our feedback form."

---
FAQ On the QR website click here.

[ozbob]

Presently at the 'Beyond Zero Emissions Launch', noted today's mX has a front page article on the wifi trial.  Starting with one carriage initially two months, then  a 3 car set for another month.  Carriages will have internal posters identifying them. Will put the article up later.  The chances on stumbling upon the 'wifi car' are a bit remote.  If we can locate it can ride around for a few hours to test it out ..   

[Derwan]

Sorry Bob - I'd already scanned this before I saw your post.  From today's mX:



If you find the carriage, post the train and carriage number here so we can look out for it.

I dare say that it'll be a 260 series SMU.  I'm almost willing to bed that WiFi will only be available on 160 series IMU's and 260 series SMU's - but we'll see.  Perhaps the SMU's going to EDI Rail for their upgrades will also have WiFi capability.

[ozbob]

Thanks Derwan 

Yes be good if we can track it down. 

[ClintonL94]

IMHO I think its SMU 249..

[Derwan]

I'll be keeping an eye out for it..... I'll go for a ride wherever just to test it out! 

[ozbob]

I think SMU 261 went through Oxley today .. 

[Derwan]

For those who didn't see Clinton's post before he removed it - apparently SMU261 is the train to watch out for.  It will apparently be doing testing between Rosewood and Gympie North in the next few weeks.

[Derwan]

This article, although a typical media beat-up, outlines the risk when using public wi-fi access points.

QR addresses this in their FAQ:

Can anyone view my wireless transmissions?

As with many public Wi-Fi services, the actual Wi-Fi signal is not secure and can, with effort,  be "sniffed" by other passengers. It is the responsibility of the end user to take appropriate security options to prevent this. Passengers should ensure that they never give username or password details to a site that doesn't use https to encrypt the traffic. A secure https connection is indicated by a browser lock icon.

It would appear that Facebook and Twitter don't use HTTPS to send usernames and passwords.  While I don't think this will be a huge issue, it's something to keep in mind when using QR's, McDonalds or any other public wi-fi hotspot.

[frereOP]

Exactly,  packet sniffers are free to download off the Internet and easy to install.  They will capture username and passwords as well as the names of sites visited.  Wi-Fi adaptors listen for ALL Wi-Fi traffic, not just traffic sent between you and the router.  Indeed there have been reports of "free Wi-Fi" in the suburbs that people believe to be just un-passworded modems in homes having been purposely set up to do just this and capture details from unsuspecting passers-by who believe they have stumbled across a good deal.

Make sure you don't use the same username and passwords for sites like FB, Twitter and Rail back on Track that you use for banking and other more important sites or you might find your account cleaned out.  For chat's, use Skype because its the only chat program that is encrypted.  MSN and Yahoo are sent as plain text and can be read by anyone.

[ozbob]

Twitter

612brisbane
 
The new free wifi train carriage is at Kuraby (7.03am) heading in to the city - try it, tell us what you think. One carriage only, a trial.

2 minutes ago via TweetDeck

[ozbob]

Twitter

612brisbane
 
The new free wifi carriage is carriage #3 - it's a Ferny Grove train that left Beenleigh at 6.42, Central at 7.46, etc.
9 minutes ago via TweetDeck

[ozbob]

Twitter

612brisbane
 
Here's the sign to look for on the one free wi-fi carriage travelling QR's City Train network. Reporter @aok69  http://twitpic.com/32qdbi
24 minutes ago via TwitPic Uploader for iPhone

[ozbob]

Twitter

612brisbane
 
QR has tweaked the settings on its free wifi trial train - You can now access news websites
about 1 hour ago via TweetDeck

[ozbob]

Hello, hello.  SMU261 sporting a 'Test Train' desto inbound through Darra platform 4, around 10.10am Saturday 13th November.  Maybe on a WIFI test run?







Photographs R Dow 13th November 2010

[ozbob]

Daughter number one was on SMU261 outbound (5.42pm Ippy ex Central) last evening and used the wifi.  The train was held between Toowong and Taringa for 10 minutes or so helped pass the time.  She noticed the signs and decided to give it a go. She reports it worked fine using an Ipod touch.

[ClintonL94]

 

[Fares_Fair]

Hello All,

Is there somewhere that tells us where and when the Wi-Fi trial carriages will be?
Or is it more like a train carriage lottery?

Has anyone on the North Coast Line (Caboolture / Sunshine Coast / Gympie North) seen it in their (long) travels yet?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[ozbob]

No, it is a lottery.  AFAIAW (as far as I am aware) there is only one carriage of SMU 261 set up for WIFI at the moment.  It is a pilot.  I understand this is to be expanded to a full 3 cars shortly (if not already).   

SMU261 probably does not get past Caboolture to often, although I would hope that they do some trials on the Sunshine Coast line as the project develops.  I will ask at the Ipswich line CRG this coming Monday night.

[Fares_Fair]

Thanks Bob. 

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[Jonno]

Bob it is AFAIAA 

[ozbob]

   INTRAPA  (I need to refresh and practise acronyms) ...   

[Fares_Fair]

  SH (same here) ... 
and CMI (count me in)

[p858snake]

Any updates on what is happening with this?

[frereOP]

And does anyone know what wireless network (SSID) it will be linked in to?  CityCats are linked into eduroam but you need a university or CSIRO account to access it.

[p858snake]

It is something along the lines of "Queensland Rail Free Wireless Internet" or something from memory

[Derwan]

Using free wifi for the second time in a week! It's slow at times but certainly usable.

[Fares_Fair]

Sunshine Coast line has not seen it to my knowledge. Heard only 1 report of it up to Caboolture. Regards. Fares_Fair
PS Indefinite delay on 6:14am Nambour train due to police incident. 30 min's late so far.

[ozbob]

AFAIAA  the Wi-Fi is on SMU261 ...  trains have just resumed between Petrie and Dakabin.

[haakon]

AFAIAA  the Wi-Fi is on SMU261 ...  

Yup, I managed to log onto it as SMU261 pulled up to Roma st recently. I didn't have enough time to examine it's internal network topology. But it does interconnect to the public internet via a server in a Brisbane Datacentre.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

No word on when for Wi-Fi on wheels

No word on when for Wi-Fi on wheels
Amelia Bentley
July 4, 2011 - 6:27AM

Queensland Rail commuters continue to wait for Wi-Fi in carriages and at stations, despite the program being announced more than two years ago.

The plan to blanket the Queensland Rail network with Wi-Fi was announced in April 2009 by then transport minister Rachel Nolan.

Last week a spokesperson for Queensland Rail said the technology was still in the testing stage, which began last October.

"Testing is nearing completion. We want to make sure we iron out any technical issues before making a decision about rolling out the technology," the spokesperson said.

QR would not reveal which train was hosting the testing, saying only it was "one of our newer trains" which could be on any line on any day.

"This train was selected to ensure our tests could map the 3G internet coverage across the entire City network," the spokesperson said.

An average of 228 people each week and a total of 5000 people have used the Wi–Fi during the trial.

The testing has so far cost $900,000 and the cost of putting Wi-Fi on all QR trains would not be determined until the end of the trial phase.

Robert Dow of lobby group Rail Back on Track said he wondered whether the delay was due to a funding issue.

"It's a long time coming," he said.

"From what we've heard from commuters on the test train the Wi-Fi works pretty well.

"Our members have used it regularly and they report it's a good system."

Mr Dow said once Wi-Fi was in place across the network, it would include live-streaming of the CCTV cameras on board trains.

That will allow transit officers and police to respond quicker to incidents, he said.

"The real drawcard is that security enhancement," he said.

"(Plus) it would be particularly great for those long haul commuters coming from the Gold and Sunshine coasts who would really benefit from being able to do work on their way in and way home."

He said he believed Queensland Rail was being "fairly vague" about when Wi-Fi would be installed.

Possibly funding was the hold-up, he said.

"We think it's been successful at the pilot stage and it's about time it was done," he said.–

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/technology/no-word-on-when-for-wifi-on-wheels-20110704-1gxpb.html#ixzz1R4rSnkou

[ozbob]

A blast from the past ..
http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=2126.msg10107#msg10107

From the Sunday Mail click here!

Citytrain commuters to receive free internet access

Citytrain commuters to receive free internet access
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

By Darrell Giles

April 12, 2009 12:00am

PASSENGERS will soon be able to surf the web free of charge while catching the train in southeast Queensland.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said commuters with laptops will have high-speed internet access on their high-speed train trips.

Ms Nolan said new wireless equipment to allow security footage to be streamed in real time to Queensland Rail's control room at Central Station in Brisbane, would also create wireless internet access at stations and on trains.

"This means that commuters will be able to log on to the internet and catch up on emails on their train ride to work or while waiting at a station," she said yesterday.

"Access to wireless internet is becoming more and more important in people's professional and social lives, and this technology means a journey on the train can become even more attractive to commuters."

Ms Nolan said the scheme, which would cost Queensland Rail between $1 million and $4 million, was expected to be available in every train and station in the Citytrain network by early 2010.

The new technology would make Queensland the only state in Australia where commuters could rely on constant wireless access.

She said people living near train lines or stations would not be able to tap into the free internet service because it would be "fire-walled".

The Minister also announced upgraded security for Queensland Rail with real-time camera monitoring of carriages. A successful trial on the Gold Coast line convinced the Government to improve technology.

"There are 6000 security cameras covering trains, stations and car parks across the rail network," Ms Nolan said.

"The cameras on trains are capable of recording illegal activities, giving police the evidence they need to catch and prosecute offenders, but they are not able to be monitored live.

"When this system is installed, police and security personnel will have the ability to monitor travellers on trains and any incidents in real time over a wireless network.

"This will give the control room the capacity to track offenders on trains and at stations and also co-ordinate a rapid response by police and transit officers."

Figures released by QR yesterday revealed 230 assaults were reported across the Citytrain network last financial year, including 14 sex attacks and 63 weapons offences.

The Minister said the wireless system would go to tender in July and rolled out in 2010.

Hello, unless I am mistaken it is 2011, and half way through ... LOL

[Fares_Fair]

Does it's area include the Sunshine and Gold Coasts ?
I ask because I have not heard of it continuing on beyond Caboolture.

Regards,
Fares-Fair,

[ozbob]

'Every train and station on the Citytrain network'  was the original message.  I don't think that has changed.

[Mr X]

Could this someday (eg. 2050+ seeing how things are going) be rolled out across the BT bus network?

[HappyTrainGuy]

C'mon... I want to play a massive LAN party game on a train trip home 

[Golliwog]

C'mon... I want to play a massive LAN party game on a train trip home 

Lol, as long as your not in the quiet carriage  I don't think they would take kindly to you if you get angry every time you get beaten.

[HappyTrainGuy]

There's nothing in the rules of the quiet carriage about sitting in a seat and waving ones arms in the air and shaking ones head in silence. Although it should free up a seat beside you

[Golliwog]

I think doing it in silence though is what may trouble some gamers.

[Arnz]

As STB reported on the extra Sunshine Coast service thread, SMU261 (with 268) made the journey up last night.  

Sighted 261 on the return journey this morning at Landsborough with a "heap" of people with laptops, ipads, ipod touches, etc in the test carriage.