Think Id love public transport if it were wireless

Plan to lure commuters with free wireless internet access

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RENATO CASTELLO

FORGET trainspotting - Adelaide could become Australia's train-surfing capital.

Not standing recklessly atop a speeding train, but surfing the net from the comfort of a train carriage - in a bid to make public transport more attractive, the State Government is investigating equipping Adelaide's public transport with free wireless internet.

The initiative would allow commuters to surf the internet, check emails and download timetables from their laptops or mobile phones – all for the price of a public transport fare.

Transport Energy and Infrastructure Department senior communications adviser Eric Wisgard told the Sunday Mail the investigation into a wireless network was only in its conceptual stage, although such networks existed in the UK, Paris and some US cities.

He said Monash University was offering the technology on some of its inter-campus buses, and Sydney bus company Hillsbus was offering Wi-Fi internet to its patrons on selected routes.

"This kind of technology allows people to connect to the internet whilst in transit, to check emails and browse websites," Mr Wisgard said in an email.

"It also provides the ability to track a bus's location, provide information to drivers and, in areas with good enough capacity, provide video surveillance.

"No decision has been made yet as to whether wireless technology is feasible for use on public transport in this state or even whether it is feasible to commence a formal project to investigate the use of this technology."

It is understood the Transport Department approached industry experts as early as last July to gauge interest in the scheme, ahead of a free trial to determine the viability of the project.

If it goes ahead it would put Adelaide alongside US cities including San Francisco, Seattle and Cincinatti, which have already hard-wired their municipal buses at a cost of about $1500 each. New York city will begin wiring the city's 277 subway stations in the next six years.

Some buses also have been equipped with GPS so bus companies can monitor the punctuality of their services.

University of SA research worker Geordan Graetz spends an hour a day commuting on public transport from his home at Aberfoyle Park to the city.

He said having the internet on the way to work would increase his productivity, allowing him time to check his emails on the way to work.

"The wireless could further my ability to work while in transit," the 23-year-old said. "I can also prepare when I'm coming into work and then start work straight away without having to check my emails. My job is in politics and international studies so I need to keep up to date with the news."