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Schumer urges LIRR to get on the wireless trainJun 15, 2009 (Newsday - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer on Monday called upon the Long Island Rail Road to install wireless Internet access on all its trains to "make commuting more productive and pleasant." Joined by wireless experts from Stony Brook University, Schumer said the LIRR needs to catch up with the multitude of train providers throughout the United States and the world who are already offering wireless Internet. "Unfortunately, the Long Island Rail Road has been slow to adapt," Schumer said at a news conference held at the Ronkonkoma LIRR station. "The technology is ready and waiting and would easily be up and running by the end of the year." The railroad is considering such a project, MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said. "As promised, the MTA will be assessing the feasibility of providing WiFi on commuter trains by issuing a request for expressions of interest," Ortiz said in a statement. "We have already begun placing the required advertisements and the [request] will be released on July 1 with responses due in September." Schumer said wireless Internet access would cost about $1,000 per train car, and that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, if it acts quickly, could use federal stimulus dollars to fund the project. Schumer said he has already written LIRR president and interim MTA chief Helena Williams with his request. To see more of Newsday, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newsday.com Copyright (c) 2009, Newsday, Melville, N.Y. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |