February_2022 - 32

Rider Experience
and more-an added benefit since
an average trip is around 45 minutes.
Icomera oversees providing
the content, as well as selling advertising
space within the content
portal. Customers can filter the
content based on their trip duration
in increments of 15, 30, 45
and 60 minutes.
" We wanted to give them
something else as an added value
proposition. And that something
else is what we call the 'plus' in
the GO Wi-fi Plus, " Sumner said.
Each time someone connects
to the network, their session is
about four hours long. If customers
transfer vehicles or leave the
system for a short period, their
device will automatically recognize
and reconnect to the network,
creating a seamless experience.
Also within the portal is a
survey where customers can provide
real-time feedback on their
seamless experience. Overall,
riders have been understanding
throughout the process and the
Wi-Fi has been well received. And
the agency hopes this new amenity
will welcome riders back or encourage
people to try transit.
" Tying someone's choice of
transit or mode of transit to a particular
amenity has always been
something that we would love to
get our fingers and arms around
a little bit better. But what we've
seen is that this is a delight for people
who have maybe not used the
system in the last couple of years, "
Sumner said.
Customers aren't the only ones
benefiting from the Wi-Fi. While
they connect online, GO Transit
connects with them thanks to an
opt-in riders can select to accept
marketing messages. Sumner explains
this helps the agency get the
right message to the right person
at the right time, whether that
be service notifications or other
promotions. And eventually, GO
Transit hopes to integrate the WiFi
with its passenger information
system so customers can access
more information.
32 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | FEBRUARY 2022
Metrolinx
GO TRANSIT'S
content portal
includes options
to read, watch or
listen.
" That's really what we're working
towards, is how can we make
this a really one stop shop for our
customers, " Sumner concluded.
" We wanted
to give them
something else as
an added value
proposition. And
that something
else is what we call
the 'plus' in the
GO Wi-Fi Plus. "
- MEREDITH
SUMNER, senior
manager,
partnership
strategy
and account
management,
Metrolinx
Other Agencies
The Toronto Transit Commission
(TTC) is also equipping its
vehicles with free Wi-Fi through
a phased approach, starting with
bus route 35 in June 2021 and expanding
to route 102 Markham
Road shortly after. Both routes
were strategically selected for
the pilot program because of their
popularity and the communities
they serve.
While offering Wi-Fi is part
of TTC's efforts to enhance its
system, it's also part of a larger
city program that aims to prioritize
and provide Wi-Fi access to
Neighborhood Improvement Areas
(NIAs).
The 35 Jane and 102 Markham
routes serve some NIAs and are
the first phase of a six-month pilot
project where TTC will evaluate
a variety of Wi-Fi service
models. The results and feedback
will provide direction for the Request
for Proposal TTC anticipates
awarding for a fully managed
customer Wi-Fi network on
its buses and streetcars. Customers
may share feedback via phone
or an online form.
In the first week, TTC notes
passengers spent more than 2,100
hours on the internet during their
commutes and changes have already
been made to the program
based on customer feedback.
And within the first two weeks
of launch, TTC says Wi-Fi steadily
grew in popularity.
" We know that, especially now,
connectivity is essential, even onthe-go,
and we're both proud and
excited to be improving our customers'
commutes one route at a
time, " said TTC CEO Rick Leary
in a statement announcing the expansion
to route 102.
And VIA Rail Canada recently
awarded a contract to Icomera
to equip its trains with passenger
Wi-Fi for the rail provider's
new Québec City-Windsor corridor
fleet. Icomera has also been
tasked with creating onboard digital
platform that will include VIA
Rail's website, trip tracking and
other elements.
The first train set to be commissioned
with Wi-Fi is scheduled
for the fourth quarter in
2022 after the service has been
tested to ensure peak performance
and uptime.
" The future of travel is becoming
a reality in Canada - together,
as industry partners, we have a
shared mission for green mobility
in today's digitally transformed
world, " said Icomera CEO Magnus
Friberg when announcing the
VIA Rail Canada agreement.
http://www.MassTransitmag.com
February_2022

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