Technology-addicted consumers are clamoring for mobile WiFi everywhere they go – even during the morning commute. This Infographic outlines the growing demand for mobile WiFi by commuters, how they use it, the changing face of mass transit riders, and the growing use of WiFi on buses and trains.

SinglePoint Communications is an exclusive U.S. distributor of WiFi in Motion — a rugged suite of products designed to offer high-speed wireless Internet on public transit, private charter and personal vehicles.

Every day, the world gets a little more wired. Walking around your city, you may notice more and more signs boasting complimentary WiFi. As the internet moves into new areas of our lives, mobile internet accessibility is transforming entire industries, including emergency response services. WiFi systems such as our WiFi In Motion kit allow EMT workers to tap into local cell networks for on-the-go internet connectivity, thus improving health outcomes.

Our WiFi In Motion solution envelops a vehicle with a hotspot of WiFi access.  A police car, ambulance, or fire truck can be easily equipped with a WiFi In Motion system, which includes a router, signal booster, antenna, and mounting hardware.

Ambulance WiFi can benefit emergency workers in many ways:

• Fill out patient intake forms on the way to the hospital, saving everyone time and accelerating healing.
• Position vehicles more effectively. When WiFi In Motion is installed across a fleet of emergency vehicles, central dispatch can track each car and ambulance in real time via GPS. This allows for more flexible, efficient placement of vehicles around emergency situations.
• Reduce paperwork and communication errors. With WiFi in Motion, EMT workers can submit forms and pictures wirelessly. Doctors and nurses can then access patient information through a secure hospital network. With group access, the risk of neglected or lost information is reduced. Healthcare workers will have far less paperwork on their hands with WiFi In Motion installed—no need to fill out more paperwork when everything’s already uploaded to shared digital files.

Ultimately, installing mobile WiFi can save lives by facilitating communication between EMT workers and hospital doctors and nurses.  Traveling WiFi access allows emergency workers to submit vital information more quickly—a game changer in healthcare, where life and death is often decided in a matter of seconds.

[Photo by: gwire via CC License]

We’re excited to share some information about the Moovbox M300 series, the latest addition to our line of remote bus WiFi products. Forward thinking transit and charter operators recognize that complimentary WiFi is today’s “must have” amenity. Modern commuters and travelers have come to see time traveling as time to surf the web, answer emails, and enjoy online entertainment. Our bus WiFi systems grow ridership while also bringing in extra income through our paid advertisement program, SingleRev.

Building on the success of the Moovbox M220, our flagship WiFi system for road transportation, the Moovbox M300 series are rugged, multi-radio in-vehicle cellular routers and WiFi access points. Our vehicle connectivity solutions are compact, built with solid state construction, and ready for the market. Moovbox products combine functionality and affordability.

The two products in the Moovbox M300 series are: The MoovBox M310 and the MoovBox M340. Both are designed to provide reliable, fast Wi-Fi access on buses and trains. The Moovbox M310 boasts a single modem with dual SIM capability. Its compact design makes this a great choice for vehicles with limited space, while the M310’s entry-level price point is ideal for operations where cost is a priority. The Moovbox M340 offers a quad modem with 8 SIM slots. This is the best choice for multi-country charters; it will provide fail-safe service to high-end customers, thanks to its advanced load-balancing and failover functionality.

Both products in the MoovBox M300 series are designed for versatility and flexibility in providing wireless access to passengers. These devices can tap into a number of cellular wide area networks (WANs), including 3G, EV-DO, EDGE, GPRS, HSPA, HSPA+, and LTE. Moreover, both products have dual SIM capability—the perfect for transit operations that cross country lines. That extra SIM also provides a back-up failover option, in case something should go wrong with your primary Internet provider.

Plus, these in-vehicle routers and WiFi access points also have built-in GPS and capability with MoovManage, our central management system for remotely configuring and controlling multiple MoovBox devices. So, with a Moovbox M300 router in every vehicle, it will be easy to centrally manage, monitor and adjust settings across your entire fleet.

To learn more, check out our information sheet on the M300 series.

WiFi is everywhere: restaurants, planes, even Mount Everest’s base camp offers connectivity – which is why people tend to get disgruntled when they climb aboard a bus or train and lose their signal.

Case in point: Miami buses, Boston trains and Santa Clara Valley (VTA) light rail all offer complimentary WiFi, and for good reason – it’s a highly-sought amenity. Of the 2,700 WiFi users surveyed in a 2009 Devicescape report, 91% said they expected transit companies to provide train and bus WiFi.

From the transit perspective, though, does it make sense financially? It certainly can. For starters, WiFi can jumpstart an increase in ridership. Since the Capitol Corridor Intercity Rail Service installed WiFi two years ago, ridership rose by 2%. When Santa Clara buses added new amenities in 2012 (free WiFi among them), they saw a 16% jump in ridership.

Secondly, while the price tag may be high, transit administrators across the U.S. have found creative ways to make it affordable. Here are our three favorite funding models for effective mobile train and bus WiFi systems.

SPONSORSHIP

Advertising companies recognize the value of train and bus WiFi. The more connectivity, the more advertising sold. Think of them as potential sponsors – that’s how the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority did it.

ADVERTISING

Remember those 2,700 WiFi users surveyed by Devicescape? Sixty-eight percent said they’d be willing to watch ads to get free WiFi. At New York subway stations, passengers do just that.

PASSENGERS PAY

Twenty-five percent of the Devicescape pool admitted they’d pay up to $3/hour for WiFi. Southwest Airlines charges $5/hour. At WiFi Rail, one can choose daily, monthly or annual connection rates.

BRAND OVERHAUL

On one hand, a lack of WiFi is bad branding: passengers remember you as the place they can’t connect. Yet WiFi can be folded into a total brand overhaul, as Greyhound and the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority did.

For a thorough overview of these models, read the article that Mass Transit Magazine published early this year, written by SinglePoint CEO Rob Taylo. Also, as you consider adding train or bus WiFi systems to your vehicles, consider SinglePoint. Our rugged, vehicle connectivity solutions can bring high-speed train and bus WiFi to your passengers.

[Photo by: Stephan Segraves via CC License]

It used to mean that leaving home meant losing touch. To go on a trip, you had to disappear for a while whether you wanted to or not. (Post cards, while cute, aren’t what we’d call “connectivity.”) Even the daily commute meant going dark for an hour or so.

Times have changed. People now have the option to stay in touch between destinations, whether on a train, plane or bus. WiFi systems are everywhere and that is how passengers want it. In a 2011 study by DePaul University, of the 7,770 air, bus and train passengers observed, over half were using a portable device at any given time.

This is possible because WiFi technology is catching up with passengers’ demand for constant connectivity. It started when 3G cellular wireless networks graduated to 4G, which is 10 times faster and has the bandwidth to maintain a reliable connection. Still, challenges remain:

• Train and bus WiFi must be rugged enough to weather rough roads and heavy skies.
• Vehicles are moving targets, passing continually from one WiFi zone to another. If the hand off isn’t smooth, service can be spotty. When using the WiFi In Motion system multi-carrier platform solution coverage challenged areas can be greatly reduced.
• Networks perform best in cities, where cell towers are designed for gap-free coverage. Roads, however, are hit or miss. (Happily, some providers have started installing towers on well-trafficked routes – as Sprint Nextel did on San Francisco’s BART line.)
• Ground-level vehicles compete for connectivity with other ground-level users – making train and bus WiFi somewhat more challenging than airline WiFi. Passengers, too, compete with each other for bandwidth.
• Tunnels. (Need we say more?)

Despite the challenges, WiFi is worth it. Agencies that install train and bus WiFi systems see a jump in ridership, because passengers value connectivity and will go where they can get it. Also, with all your vehicles connected to a central management center, you’ll be more effective at monitoring their location, maintenance needs and on-board systems – possibly even earning additional funding through programs such as MAP-21, based on “state of good repair” requirements.

Funding prerequisites, as well as passenger demand, are motivation enough. SinglePoint Communications can help you overcome the technological barriers and make in-transit WiFi a reality for your passengers.

[Photo by Jenn Durfey via CC License]

The edge: it’s what every business leader longs to discover. What is that special something that can set your company apart from its competitors? Among mass transit, motorcoach, and private charter companies, a clear edge is quickly emerging: mobile WiFi access.

Today’s commuters and travelers look forward to transit time as the perfect opportunity to catch up on online entertainment, communication, and work. By providing your customers with on-the-go internet access, a private charter, motorcoach, or mass transit agency can get a leg up on the competition.

Our WiFi in Motion Moovbox includes a 3G/4G router and ruggedized antenna that mounts on the top of each train, bus, or motorcoach. With a Moovbox on each of your vehicles, and a central system running our MoovManage software, your customers can enjoy consistent mobile internet access.

Here are a few of the benefits your transit agency will see as a result of installing mobile WiFi across your fleet:

Increased Ridership and Customer Loyalty. Transportation customers long for the same connectivity on the road that they enjoy at home, and no wonder. Internet access makes road time much more fun and productive. Nearly half (45.7%) of bus riders, for instance, say that WiFi availability is an important factor in making travel plans. Give your customers reliable mobile WiFi access, and they’ll keep coming back to your agency time and time again.

Younger riders are especially keen on mobile WiFi. A recent study found that 80% of Generation Y-ers (i.e., those under 30 years of age) would choose a 50-minute bus ride over a 25-minute car ride. By installing mobile WiFi devices in your fleet, you are catering to tomorrow’s riders, creating a brighter financial outlook for the future of your agency.

Earn Extra Revenue through Paid Advertising. We make it affordable to outfit your fleet with mobile WiFi. Our SingleREV system puts advertisements in front of customers and pays the agency a portion of the resulting revenue. Most riders (68%, according to a Devicescape survey) are willing to watch advertisements in exchange for free internet access, and most agencies find they can afford to provide this highly sought after WiFi access with SingleREV in place.

Improved Operations and Customer Service.With mobile WiFi in place, your agency can enjoy improved operations in the form of advanced ticketing and route information. For instance, with our SingleTRAK system in place, riders can see real-time information on bus and train locations. Many of our customers also find that the installation of mobile Wifi devices protects drivers by making it easier for buses and trains to communicate with operation centers.

Mobile WiFi is the edge that can carry your agency forward, ahead of your competitors. And SinglePoint’s mobile internet technology is at the cutting edge of the field. For instance, we’ve introduced the M310 and M340 Moovboxes to intelligently switch between multiple cellular providers, thereby eliminating overage charges and service outages that tend to happen when crisscrossing country lines. Let our technology be the competitive edge for your motorcoach, private charter, or mass transit agency.

[Photo by j.o.h.n. walker via CC License]

When considering launching a new venture, it’s helpful to review success stories. By seeing what’s worked for others, you can better understand how a new solution might work for you. Today we’re highlighting a motorcoach mobile WiFi success story, that of Megabus.

Megabus provides daily express bus service to locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Since its launch in 2006, Megabus has delivered over 25 million customers to their destinations. Megabus earned its reputation as a low-cost carrier by offering rates as low as $1. However, it’s not enough to offer a low-cost ticket; providing a top-notch rider experience is another key aspect of Megabus’ success. The availability of reliable, complimentary bus WiFi on each Megabus is a big part of that positive rider experience.

The entire Megabus fleet is equipped with SinglePoint’s mobile WiFi solution. SinglePoint coordinated with Van Hool, Megabus’ manufacturer in Belgium, to install WiFi in Motion Moovboxes directly on the factory floor. Each WiFi in Motion Moovbox includes a 3G/4G router and an antenna that’s specifically designed for installation on buses and trains. The whole system is rugged enough to deliver stellar performance on the roughest roads. The WiFi in Motion Moovbox is also able to tap into 3G and 4G cellular networks, meaning Megabus riders enjoy consistent, speedy WiFi access.

Megabus advertises its free internet and power outlets as a major part of the positive Megabus experience. Indeed, internet connectivity figures prominently in Megabus’ brand promise, “Stay connected.”

If you’re concerned that your transit agency, private charter firm, or motorcoach group can’t afford to install mobile WiFi across your fleet, fear not. We’ve developed the SingleREV system to put advertisements in front of your customers in exchange for WiFi access. The proceeds from SingleREV often can offset bus WiFi installation and operation.

Going forward, travelers and commuters will expect internet access while on the road—and agencies that fail to install mobile WiFi solutions will soon find their ridership rates on the decline. Installing bus WiFi systems, as Megabus did, is an investment in the continued success of any private charter, mass transit, or motorcoach company.

[Photo by Buddahbless via CC License]

For private charter agencies, adding WiFi is a great way to attract new customers, including people who are getting ready to retire. Indeed, people in their 50s and 60s (Baby Boomers) are a significant and important market group who are “linked in” to the online universe, and looking for travel options that allow them to stay connected while on the road.

Demographically, the U.S. has more people over 65 than teenagers. According to a study by Kam Hung and James Petrick, “The entry of baby boomers to the market has become one of the ‘greatest marketing movements that we have ever seen in this country.’”  Hung and Petrick’s study shows how seniors control up to 50% of the assets and discretionary income in the U.S. The authors also point out that, as a group, seniors are this country’s major consumers of luxury products, including vacations and tourism.

The study by Hung and Petrick also addresses issues around age as it relates to travel and vacationing. Seniors will and will continue to have a significant impact on the tourism business, including motorcoaching.

Research by Hung and Petrick also shows that:

• Private charter motorcoach tours are one of the fastest growing business segments in tourism.
• In the U.S., 50% to 70% of motorcoach tour patrons are seniors.
• Baby Boomers and seniors enjoy traveling in groups; this group is enthusiastic about social connections.

Although the widespread belief seems to be that Americans prefer independent travel over tours, there is a lot of potential for Baby Boomers to bring increased growth to the motorcoach tour industry.

One way to attract Baby Boomers to motorcoach tours is to provide a mobile internet hotspot, or bus WiFi. Travelers of any age enjoy the benefits of being able to stay connected to the internet, whether it be for work, play, or to stay connected socially. Tech-savvy customers, as well as those who work from the internet (increasing numbers of seniors are still working), are especially reliant on a dependable and safe WiFi internet connection, and many will go out of their way to pay for such a service.

It is apparent that bus WiFi systems are no longer considered a luxury, but rather a staple of motorcoach travel, and this trend will likely continue in the future. It is imperative that private charter companies provide safe and dependable wireless internet connections to their customers, or their customers will go elsewhere for their business.  Bus WiFi systems such as our WiFi In Motion Moovbox enable private charter bus companies to provide WiFi internet service that is in such high demand these days. Keep your senior clients connected—choose SinglePoint’s WiFi In Motion Moovbox for your motorcoach fleet.

[Photo by: MTAPhotos via CC License]

Younger riders often use bus travel for educational tours. For these customers, bus WiFi systems are critical; Generation Y-ers can’t live without a reliable and safe WiFi connection.

According to a recent Motorcoach Census, in 2010, students represented 25% of all motorcoach passenger trips in the United States and Canada. This was the largest single demographic group, with seniors representing 23.3% and all other groups representing 51.8% of motorcoach passenger trips. During the 2010 calendar year, student tour groups were provided with 99.5 million passenger trips by the motorcoach industry in the U.S. and Canada. This accounted for 30.1% of all motorcoach tourism passenger trips. An important conclusion of the 2010 Motorcoach Census is that the motorcoach industry was able to serve student tour groups by allowing them to visit historical and cultural sites at a price point that other travel industries cannot provide.

These figures point to a bright future for the motorcoach industry. Seniors, including baby boomers, will also be looking to travel in the safe, clean environments that modern bus and motorcoach travel provide. Educational travel will continue to grow as well, but motorcoach companies will still have to provide amenities to stay competitive. Adding motorcoach mobile WiFi is one way to attract new customers and guarantee steady business going forward.

For students, staying connected online especially important. Not only do so-called Millennials run their social lives through the internet, but as they visit important historical and cultural sites on field trips, it is imperative to have charter bus WiFi at their disposal in order to research and learn more about the places and sites they are visiting.

Adding a motorcoach mobile WiFi system is easy with our WiFi In Motion Moovbox. Also adopted by Greyhound, SinglePoint’s WiFi In Motion Moovbox provides a safe and secure WiFi internet connection for your motorcoach passengers. Once your riders experience the speed and consistency of the internet connection through WiFi In Motion, they’ll be sure to come back to you for future educational trips.

[Photo courtesy of: KOMUnews via CC License]

Mass transit is gaining in popularity. In 2012, DePaul University found that intercity bus service grew by 7.5 percent and rail travel increased by 3 percent. Several factors contributed to this trend: high fuel prices, affordable transit rates for passengers and expanded route options. One of the amenities that new riders found the most attractive is bus WiFi.

About 90 percent of mass transit riders use an electronic device as they travel. The DePaul study revealed that half of the new riders surveyed listed bus WiFi an important factor for deciding to use mass transit. Consequently, many young adults report that if a bus had WiFi, they’d prefer a 50-minute bus ride to work over a 25-minute commute in a car.  

An increase in mass transit ridership can benefit local businesses, big and small. Here’s how:

• Mass transit availability increases access to a business by offering a wider choice of travel options.
• When a person uses mass transit, local businesses get noticed because the bus rider doesn’t have to keep his or her eyes on the road.
• People are avoiding fuel hikes when using mass transit and have more disposable income.

Statistics show that equipping mass transit vehicles with a mobile WiFi system is the secret ingredient to increasing ridership. Features like SingleREV can help fund such an endeavor. SingleREV is a system that delivers free bus WiFi to riders. In exchange, a rider must watch a short national or local business commercial before connecting to the Internet.

[Photo by Payton Chung via CC License]

The motorcoach and private charter industries play a significant role in the American economy and are increasingly of use to the educational system, as they are one of the most cost effective ways for students to visit historical and cultural sites.  Along with motorcoach passengers’ increasing use of mobile devices, their expectations for available WiFi have also risen. Increasingly, private charter industries compete with public transit agencies, as many public transit agencies have adopted mobile WiFi. This infographic examines the private charter industry and explores how motorcoach mobile WiFi can keep riders connected.

Motorcoaches and private charter buses are the most fuel-efficient form of transportation in North America in regards to passenger miles per gallon of fuel. As cities get more crowded and fuel prices increase, buses and coaches play an important role in helping reduce the carbon footprint, relieve congestion and improve air quality. Thanks to motorcoach mobile WiFi, more travelers are drawn to this form of transportation.

Green Facts about Motorcoaches

• If you and a friend take a trip in a motorcoach instead of a hybrid car, you’ll cut your carbon footprint in half.
• Motorcoaches offer 206.6 passenger miles per gallon of fuel. A car only offers 27.2 passenger miles per gallon.
• Choosing to ride in a motorcoach instead of fly on a commercial plane can reduce your carbon footprint by 55 to 75 percent.
• Motorcoaches are three times better at reducing CO₂ emissions than transit buses.
• A single motorcoach can replace up to 55 passenger cars on a freeway.
• Every dollar invested in a motorcoach generates an extra $1.65 in the nation’s economy.

With their busy lives, Americans have common concerns: helping the planet and staying connected. DePaul University found that bus WiFi systems were one of the features that new riders found the most attractive about mass transit.

The Benefits of Charter Bus WiFi include:

• Increasing new sales. Many young adults report preferring to ride a bus with WiFi connectivity than commuting in their own car, even if the travel time is twice as long.
• Changing public misconceptions about charter buses. Motorcoach mobile WiFi and other updated amenities in charter buses demonstrate to the public that bus travel is comfortable, safe and convenient.
• Getting ahead of the competition. About 90 percent of travelers plan to use an electronic device when they use mass transit. A bus WiFi system can set a charter bus company apart from the competition, especially among younger riders.

SinglePoint offers the WiFi In Motion Moovbox for motorcoaches. Contact us to learn more about how it can boost business for your fleet.

[Photo by VFW Kids via CC License]

Transit agencies across the country are adding rapid bus service to minimize pollution, support job growth, and relieve congestion. In Kansas City, Miami-Dade, and even around Aspen, these rapid bus transit lines offer convenience and comfort over other forms of transportation and they are drawing in new riders. Unlike the dawdling speed of inner city buses, rapid transit bus lines speed along, with fewer stops but more park-and ride options.

Successful rapid bus transit lines offer additional rider benefits and amenities such as:

• Real-time arrival and departure time information
• Lowered floors for easier entry
• Traffic signal priority, allowing rapid transit buses an advantage over other traffic
• Automatic payments
• Comfortable seating with electronic outlets available.

Bus and motorcoach mobile WiFi is an additional amenity that magnetizes riders. Indeed, cities that have installed bus WiFi systems have discovered that many commuters prefer a longer transit ride with WiFi access to a shorter drive. Many rapid bus transit coverts feel that the time they previously spent driving was wasted, since they couldn’t catch up on email and entertainment online during the drive. Millennials (those under 30 years of age) are especially keen on keeping up with online goings-on; and they represent the bulk of tomorrow’s riders.

For many transit agencies, onboard WiFi is the number one request from customers—this was the case in the San Jose area, where the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority installed WiFi on its express buses and saw a 19.6% jump in ridership the following year. In this sense, installing WiFi on bus lines is an investment in the future of public and private bus transit.

Bus Wifi solutions such as our WiFi In Motion Moovbox offer consistent, speedy 3G and 4G Internet access to riders. A Moovbox kit consists of a rugged antenna for the roof and a router. With a multi-carrier data plan, your riders will have all the Internet access they’ve been dreamed of. And we make it easy to fund your new WiFi with our SingleREV advertising program. Accompanying MoovManage software allows system managers to track each vehicle in real time. This means you can also offer customers up-to-the-second information on individual bus arrivals and departures.

With onboard WiFi and other amenities, rapid bus transit is an increasingly attractive commute option in cities across America.

[Photo by Brian Clift via CC License]

This February, SinglePoint Communications is excited to be attending the United Motorcoach Association Expo in Los Angeles. From February 16^th through the 20^th, we’ll be introducing our charter bus WiFi solutions to UMA expo attendees. SinglePoint’s OEM technology solutions for mobile WiFi connectivity will be a main focus of our UMA booth #712.

The United Motorcoach Association (UMA) is the biggest association of motorcoach and bus companies in North America. Over 900 motorcoach firms are now UMA members; an additional 250 associate memberships are held by motorcoach suppliers, manufacturers, and related businesses. For motorcoach enthusiasts, the UMA is the must-attend event of the year.

If you’re also headed to #UMA14 (yes that is the official hashtag), we invite you to visit our booth to learn more about our OEM technology solutions. With airline prices skyrocketing, many travelers are more open to motorcoach travel. Buyers know that building new ridership isn’t easy—but amenities can do the trick. Onboard wireless Internet is a much sought-after feature among passengers.

As the leading distributor of charter bus WiFi OEM technology, we recognize that OEMs need trustworthy products that maintain their value over time. SinglePoint has designed OEM solutions for trains, RVs, emergency response vehicles, mobile health clinics and private bus fleets. We can equip your new vehicles to be WiFi ready “out of the box.” Our OEM clients include Hemphill Brothers Coach Company, GILLIG, Prevost, and more. Meet with us at UMA to learn how our bus WiFi solutions, including our OEM program for vehicle manufacturers.

Transit companies across the country are installing SinglePoint’s WiFi In Motion Moovbox solution as a way to upgrade trains and buses. Today we’re taking a look at two Californian transit agencies that provide free Internet access for passengers using our transit WiFi solution. Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and East Bay’s AC Transit are attracting new passengers with an improved riding experience, including complimentary WiFi for riders. WiFi access through SinglePoint’s solutions can draw in new customers while offsetting costs through built-in advertising. Let’s take a look at how these two transit agencies have created a pleasant express bus commute with our bus WiFi system.

VTA Hybrid Buses feature SinglePoint’s WiFi in Motion Moovbox M220
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has recently purchased 35 energy efficient hybrid diesel-electric buses from Gillig, the second largest transit bus maker on the continent. Each Gillig bus includes cherry red and silver exterior styling, individual reading lights, reclining seats, luggage racks, and free WiFi access via a rugged public transit WiFi device, our WiFi in Motion Moovbox 220. This bus WiFi kit delivers Ethernet, GPS, and WiFi connectivity via a hockey-puck-sized antenna on each bus’ roof, and a 3G/4G router inside.

“Thanks to the 4G WiFi service on board we are able to get commuters out of their cars and onto public transportation,” reports Richard Bertalan, VTA’s Technology Infrastructure and Communications Systems Manager.

AC Transit adds 54 Commuter-Style Buses with WiFi In Motion Moovboxes
Another Californian public transportation agency, AC Transit, is also adding new Gillig buses with WiFi access through SinglePoint’s public transit mobile WiFi solutions. For the last century, the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District has served East Bay residents. The new AC Transit buses will have low floors, high back upholstered seats, luggage racks and free WiFi.

Is it mere coincidence that two transit groups in such close proximity chose the same WiFi OEM solution? Not at all. We’ve created the toughest, most consistent WiFi device for transportation vehicles. Buses and trains across the globe sport our WiFi In Motion Moovboxes; they are compliant with EMC, FCC, and E-Mark standards. Here are a few more stats about the M220:

• Dual modems, for more consistent WiFi access.
• Dual SIMS, for geo-fencing and failover service.
• 4G LTE compatibility.
• 2 Ethernet ports.
• Integrated GPS for tracking vehicles’ location in real time.

Best of all, we can offset bus WiFi installation costs through SingleREV, our built-in advertising program. Indeed, the VTA found their installation costs were counterbalanced in this way. Contact us to learn more about how WiFi In Motion Moovboxes could improve the rider experience on your bus or train line.

According to the World Energy Council, transportation causes between 20% and 25% of the planet’s energy consumption and green house gas emissions. Recognizing the need to protect the environment, many cities are incorporating green vehicles into public transit fleets. Likewise, private motorcoach groups are looking for ways to do their part for the planet by opting for green technology. Let’s take a look at some of the eco-friendly technologies transforming transportation.

Green Technology Developments in Motorcoaches & Public Transit

Electric Buses. Even large vehicles can be fueled electronically. At BusCon 2013, vendors unveiled exciting electric bus solutions, including a wireless charging option from Complete Coach Works (CCW). The CCW vehicles sport charging pads on their underside. Charging pads are placed along the buses’ routes. While a bus is paused over a pad, a wireless transfer sends power to the bus’ battery. A few minutes later the bus is charged and ready to go. Expect to see more creative electric bus technology emerging in the future.

Hybrid Diesel-Electric Buses. Dozens of transit authorities across the globe use diesel-electric buses. Combining diesel-fueled internal combustion engines and electric propulsion, these hybrid diesel buses are greener than their conventional gasoline-fueled counterparts. As one example, the Santa Clara VTA recently added 35 hybrid, WiFi enabled buses to its rapid commute options.

Motorcoach & Public Transit WiFi

Recognizing the need to lure drivers out of their vehicles and onto eco-friendly communal transportation, forward-thinking transit groups are installing train and bus WiFi. For instance, The Kings Ferry motorcoach service around Bristol, England enjoyed more than 2,500 passengers in its first month of service. Kings Ferry motorcoaches are equipped with WiFi, and the company actively promotes its coaches as a green way to commute while enjoying free Internet access.

Similarly, Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transportation recently rolled out park and ride bus service connecting suburban residents with the city center. The city’s park and ride plan is part of its commitment to providing first-class, sustainable transportation services. The park and ride service is free initially, to encourage motorists to get into the habit of taking public transit. Badr Al Qamzi, Abu Dhabi’s Director of Integrated Transportation Planning, points out, “The availability of WiFi (free Internet) on board ‘Park and Ride’ public transport ensures commuters added value.”

Motorcoach and public transit mobile WiFi can act as a magnet, drawing new riders to bus transportation. In this way, mobile WiFi is an important part of “going green” in transport.

Solar-powered bus stops and bus facilities are additional green technologies sweeping through private and public transit. Mobile WiFi, electric vehicles, hybrid buses, and solar charging stations represent the future of future of transportation.

[Photo by flightlog via CC License]

Shocking train crashes have occurred all over the world in recent months. From New York to Spain, investigators are digging into why trains have derailed, and how to change operations to prevent future collisions. Oftentimes, excessive speed on curves is found to be the root cause of train crashes. Positive Train Control (PTC) could prevent such speed-induced crashes. Let’s take a look at what PTC is, and how private and public transit mobile WiFi solutions could facilitate its implementation across American rail systems.

PTC is a way of tracking trains’ speed and location so as to prevent accidents. PTC systems monitor trains’ current speed according to set targets, such as mandatory breaking curves. WiFi and GPS allow PTC systems to automatically slow down or stop the train when drivers fail to follow speed guidelines. Think of PTC as an autopilot system for trains.

Since 1990, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has listed PTC as a most wanted safety improvement, but legislation requiring PTC wasn’t passed until the tail end of the second Bush administration. In 2008, Congress passed the Rail Safety Improvement Act, which requires most U.S. rail networks to have PTC technology in place by December 15, 2015.

Given the cost and logistical difficulty of installing PTC, many train agencies have sought exemptions from the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. However, the fatal December 2013 Metro-North derailment that killed four and injured 75 passengers is making it unlikely that Congress will pass an extension on the 2015 PTC deadline. In that crash, the train was running at 82 miles per hour going into a 30-mph curve just before it ran off the tracks. Transportation authorities argue PTC technology could have prevented the crash—and the loss of life it caused.

Fortunately, mobile WiFi technology is catching up to PTC requirements. Our private and public transit WiFi solutions can connect trains to stations and PTC. Train WiFi can protect passengers while simultaneously improving the riding experience. Our WiFi In Motion system can provide front- and back-end connectivity. Passengers can enjoy 4G LTE service while your whole system steps up to PTC regulation compliance. Worried about the price tag? We can help. Our SingleREV advertising program puts ads in front of customers to offset operation and installation costs. With private and public transit WiFi becoming the norm across the globe, and with transportation regulators demanding new interconnected safety systems, installing WiFi for train transport is the right way to go.

[Photo by Bill Ward's Brickpile via CC License]

Public transportation is an inherently green way to travel. The more people on a single shared vehicle, the fewer single occupant cars on the road, and the fewer greenhouse gases emitted. According to an IFC International report titled “Public Transportation and Petroleum Savings in the U.S.,” public transportation reduces America’s annual gasoline demand by about 1.4 million gallons—that’s the equivalent to taking 300,000 cars off the road every single day. And the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has found that public transportation reduces carbon emissions by 37 million metric tons annually. But public transit agencies across the nation are working hard to make their operations even greener.

Public Transportation Agencies’ Environmental Efforts

–Adding new routes to make public transportation more convenient for more drivers.  San Antonio’s transit agency is one of many groups taking this step. As city populations grow, there is more congestion on the roads and more harmful emissions at ground level. Attracting new riders to public transit can help minimize pollution levels.
–Alternative fuel vehicles—such as those powered by hybrid diesel, propane, electric, and compressed natural gas—can further decrease gas emissions.
–Solar Powered Bus Stations are well illuminated, powered by sunlight and they may even sport informative screens showing arrival times. In Atlanta, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has constructed an enormous solar canopy over its bus garage. By greatly minimizing the energy needed to keep the bus garage running, MARTA achieves the equivalent of planting over 285 acres of trees every year.
–Alternative Energy Generation is becoming more common, as transit boards require a certain portion of operation to be fueled with green forms of energy. For example, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston currently operates two wind turbines.

This is only a small portion of potential energy saving efforts. Eco-minded transportation agencies also focus on earth-friendly water management, energy savings accrued from replacing outdated, energy-hogging lights, and much more. To distinguish agencies with a commitment to the environment, the APTA maintains the opt-in Sustainability Commitment program. Participants can earn Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum recognition for achieving certain carbon reduction targets.

Train and bus WiFi can also help “green up” public transit. WiFi can increase ridership by attracting commuters who hope to use their transit time for catching up on email, getting a jump-start on the day’s work, or just kicking back and enjoying online entertainment. Younger Gen Y riders are especially likely to prefer a longer commute on public transportation with WiFi access over a shorter drive to work with no WiFi access. Public transit mobile WiFi can also allow real-time information to be conveyed to riders, practically eliminating the guesswork of figuring out when the next bus or train will arrive. Overall, mobile WiFi hotspots on buses and trains can magnetize new riders out of their cars and onto public transportation, further reducing carbon emissions, congestion, and pollution in our cities.

[Photo by Prayitno via CC License]

A whole new way of driving is looming on the horizon. It’s called connected vehicle technology. Connected vehicle technology forms a grid in which cars and roadway infrastructure can interact. Think of it as an Internet of the Road, connecting vehicles with obstacles, traffic signals, other cars, public transportation vehicles, and more.

Connected vehicle technology can modernize the driving experience by preventing crashes before they happen, rather than simply studying crashes after the fact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says connected vehicle technology could eliminate 80% of unimpaired vehicle crashes. As such, the National Transportation Safety Board now recommends that all new vehicles be outfitted with connected vehicle technology. We can expect all vehicles to sport connected technology within our lifetimes, if not within the next decade.

For buses and other public transportation vehicles, connected vehicle technology can provide warnings of potential safety situations. For instance, bus drivers will receive an alert if there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk where they’re trying to make a left turn. Another classic bus safety issue, drivers making illegal right turns in front of a bus that’s leaving a stop, will also spur a driver warning. Of course, automobile drivers will also appreciate safety warnings provided by connected technology, alerting them of impending crashes and vehicles changing lanes in blind spots, among other warnings.

Benefits of Connected Vehicle Technology

–Prevent crashes. Connected vehicle technology can help drivers avoid crashes before they happen, offsetting human error. Interconnected driving systems could thereby save thousands of lives.
–Coordinate traffic. A connected traffic grid can adjust traffic lights to be timed more appropriately for the current conditions. For example, a light could stay green longer when a bus is approaching.
–Real-time transit information. If all buses and public trains were interconnected with the grid, it would be possible to collect location information and provide it to riders eager to know when their ride will arrive.
–Responsive ride sharing. The up-to-the-minute aspect of interconnected driving systems would make it possible to better connect elderly and low-income riders with human ride providers.
–Minimized pollution. Interconnected driving technology applications could help drivers save the planet by avoiding traffic congestion, or choosing more efficient, eco-friendly routes. Vehicle and transit systems can also provide feedback to drivers on how to change their driving techniques to maximize fuel efficiency.

The US Department of Transportation has conducted two stages of several safety tests to conclude that connected vehicles would be safe. In the first portion of the pilot program, the DOT researched whether drivers would accept the new interconnected driving experience; 9 out of 10 drivers preferred connected driving over analog driving. In the second stage of safety testing, Ann Arbor, Michigan was transformed into an interconnected grid. The University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute helped carry out the test, which was made up of volunteer drivers. Participating trucks, cars, and buses were outfitted with V2V (vehicle-to-vehicle) and V2I (vehicle-to-infrastructure) wireless communication devices.

To make connected vehicle networks possible, it will be necessary to equip each car, bus, and piece of infrastructure with wired communication devices. Today, some transit operators maintain on-vehicle train and bus WiFi, to improve fleet communication and keep riders connected. Public transit mobile WiFi is still somewhat of a novelty, but the advent of connected driving will make WiFi a necessity. Public transit WiFi will likely be required eventually, as the government recognizes how much connected vehicle technology can do to save lives. As makers of private and public mobile WiFi solutions, we are excited about the possibility of connected vehicle networks, and we’re dedicated to providing reliable, stable WiFi technology to make connected driving possible.

[Photo by Daquella manera via CC License]

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is excited to offer a new app to its riders. Powered by SinglePoint’s SingleTRAK software, the app shows the real-time location of every train in the VTA system. A moving black arrow represents each train, while a flashing blue dot shows the user’s location. GPS in the phone and on each train allows our train and bus WiFi modems to transmit real-time location information. As CBS San Francisco reporter Kiet Do suggests, the new app could make riding the VTA light rail, “fun, more efficient… and cool again.”

Do tested the app from several VTA stops, keeping an eye on the map as the train crept closer. He concluded that the app was “dead on” regarding when each train arrived.

VTA’s timing couldn’t be better. The agency is rolling out SingleTRAK as construction booms in North San Jose. There’s a new 10-story Samsung building going up, along with thousands of apartments, all near or on VTA light rail routes. The VTA hopes that the masses of tech workers who will be moving into the thriving North San Jose area will be more likely to ride public transportation, knowing that a single click from the app will show the ETA of the next VTA train.

VTA expects the new app to increase ridership by eliminating the uncertainty of timing that so often prevents people from riding public transit. “For those people who might have been a little wary of riding public transit because of reliability, they can know that it is really reliable, and this is another tool to help know exactly when to get out and meet their train,” says VTA spokesperson Colleen Valles.

Our SingleTRAK software makes it all possible. Once a bus or train system has our train/bus wifi devices installed, it’s quite simple to add SingleTRAK. Here are a few benefits that agencies will see by offering SingleTRAK-powered apps to their riders, as the VTA has done.

Benefits of SingleTRAK for Public Transit WiFi Systems
–Seamlessly integrates with our public transit mobile wifi devices, making adoption a snap.
–Attract new riders by providing up-to-the-second arrival information.
–Improve operations by giving management a real-time view of all trains in the system.

Contact us today to learn more about our SingleTRAK software and how it could enhance your riders’ experience.

[Photo by Dennis Yang via CC License]