Amtrak puts Internet access in stations
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON -- Amtrak will soon offer Internet access at some of its busiest stations, allowing passengers waiting for the train to check their e-mail or surf the Net.
The railroad said Thursday that it has signed an agreement with AT&T Wireless to offer high-speed wireless Internet access, also known as WiFi, at six stations along the Northeast corridor.
The six stations are: Boston's Route 128 Station; Providence, R.I.; New York Penn Station; Philadelphia's 30th Street Station; Wilmington, Del.; and Baltimore's Penn Station.
Amtrak spokeswoman Marcie Golgoski says any passengers with a WiFi-enabled laptop or PDA will be able to access the system as soon as they walk into the station.
If they're already an AT&T customer, then they'll be able to log on with no charge. But, Golgoski said there will be a fee of $9.99 for passengers who aren't AT&T customers. They can pay with a credit card, and then have unlimited access from that station for up to 24 hours.
WiFi access is already offered at airports, hotels and coffee shops like Starbucks.
Golgoski said Amtrak won't be shelling out any cash for the Internet access.
"Putting this new service into these six stations is not costing Amtrak a cent. AT&T wireless is picking up the entire expense of the WiFi program, from design to installation to operations and maintenance," she said.
The new service will be available early this summer.