Wi-Fi on Bus Éireann

chewed

I see they're introducing Wifi on Bus Eireann routes. I get the 111 Trim bus and it's on a few buses (why only a few????). Are there plans to introduce this on ALL Bus Eireann routes?

I'm not sure the quality/service is good though. I had problems trying to connect using my phone on a number of occasions. Though I'm sure there are going to be some teething problems.

LXFlyer

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0921/breaking54.html

Free Bus Eireann wifi by end 2011
GENEVIEVE CARBERY

Free wifi for passengers on Bus Eireann’s main commuter and city routes is due to be rolled out by the end of the year.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar yesterday announced €1.1 million in funding to upgrade the bus company’s facilities, including wireless internet access.

Wifi will be available on the highly used commuter and city routes in the east coast and main cities such as Cork and Galway. The exact routes has yet to be decided by Bus Éireann.

Bus Éireann has been piloting free wireless internet on the Galway to Dublin service for a year and has recently introduced it on the Dublin to Derry route.

The wifi service has “proved popular” and has received a “good reaction” among customers on the pilot routes between Dublin and Galway and Dublin and Derry, Bus Eireann spokesman Andrew McLindon said.

It would increase the attractiveness of the bus as an alternative for those driving to work, he said.

Mr Varadkar said “the provision of new wifi services will allow Bus Eireann to remain competitive.” High speed wireless is already available on some private intercity bus companies.

The additional finance will also fund real time displays and up-to the minute service information at eight bus stations, including Busaras Dublin, Plunkett Station in Cork, Galway and Athlone stations. 25 bus shelters on commuter routes will be upgraded or replaced as part of the plan.

The addition of 10 double decker buses for Bus Éireann routes in Cork and Galway will bring extra capacity on these “high use city routes”, Mr Mclindon said.

“This is an important investment in Bus Éireann. I am pleased that in these difficult times for the economy, it’s possible to continue to invest strategically in the national bus company,” Mr Varadkar said.

Welcome funding enable to enhance current service to customers commuter and city routes increase attractiveness people car for work

Armada

The addition of 10 double decker buses for Bus Éireann routes in Cork and Galway will bring extra capacity on these “high use city routes”, Mr Mclindon said.

Does "City Routes" refer to inner city services or inter city services?

I cant imagine they are going to run double deckers from Cork to Galway!


Good to see wifi is coming but I am not confident that it will see a wide roll out.
It is like the trains - why not have it on all of them??

LXFlyer

City services.

highlydebased

Have heard from a few individuals that there will be deckers for Limerick too- but maybe not new ones....

dowlingm

would be interested to hear anyone in the know compare bus and train wifi deployment. IE seemed to take a long time over tendering/selection/testing but you'd think a bus wouldn't necessarily be the easiest thing to fit wifi to either.

foggy_lad

dowlingm wrote: »

would be interested to hear anyone in the know compare bus and train wifi deployment. IE seemed to take a long time over tendering/selection/testing but you'd think a bus wouldn't necessarily be the easiest thing to fit wifi to either.

Afaik the busses just have one unit much like a mobile phone or those mobile wifi units up beside the driver with a good range, there might be repeaters halfway down the bus or on upper decks?

Poxyshamrock

highlydebased wrote: »

Have heard from a few individuals that there will be deckers for Limerick too- but maybe not new ones....

About time! The 308 and 304 are a joke at times.