METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

BART, Caltrain set timetable to equip rail systems with Wi-Fi

BART is in negotiations with a vendor to install Wi-Fi in the transit system’s 46 stations and aboard all of its 775 new cars, with hopes of having a deal by the summer, with Caltrain set to have Wi-Fi on its new trains by 2022.

March 13, 2018
BART, Caltrain set timetable to equip rail systems with Wi-Fi

With Caltrain’s conversion from diesel to electric under construction, the system is installing the technology that will be needed to provide Wi-Fi.

Eugene Zelenko

1 min to read


With Caltrain’s conversion from diesel to electric under construction, the system is installing the technology that will be needed to provide Wi-Fi.

Eugene Zelenko

SAN FRANCISCO — With riders clamoring for Wi-Fi service on Caltrain and BART trains for several years, the agencies are now in the process of adding the technology, but it could take three years on BART and four on Caltrain, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

BART is in negotiations with a vendor to install Wi-Fi in the transit system’s 46 stations and aboard all of its 775 new cars, with hopes of having a deal by the summer. Once the deal is official, BART plans on adding Wi-Fi to stations first, then to its railcars. The agency’s “Fleet of the Future” cars, which are set to arrive by 2022, will include Wi-Fi.

Ad Loading...

Meanwhile, with Caltrain’s conversion from diesel to electric under construction, the system is installing the technology that will be needed to provide Wi-Fi. Caltrain is on schedule to start running electric trains in 2022, according to the report. For the full story, click here.


More Technology

Turning Transit Data Into Better Decisions
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 23, 2026

Strada360’s Steve Lassey on Turning Transit Data Into Better Decisions

From breaking down data silos to preparing for AI, Strada360 CEO Steve Lassey discusses how transit agencies can use technology to improve operations, customer information, and long-term decision-making.

Read More →
Building More Flexible Transit Technology
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 18, 2026

Almaviva Looks to Open Architecture to Advance Transit Technology

Eric Reese discusses how interoperability, open architecture, and modular design can help transit agencies control costs, reduce vendor lock-in, and upgrade technology without starting over.

Read More →
ParatransitSeptember 18, 2026

Driving Smarter Paratransit

John Hanlon shares how AlphaRoute is leveraging AI-powered technology to help paratransit providers optimize operations, support frontline staff, and enhance the rider experience.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Luminator Charts a New Digital Path
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 14, 2026

From Hardware to Digital Partner: Luminator Charts Its Next Chapter

CEO Magnus Friberg discusses Luminator’s shift toward becoming a digital partner, the growing importance of software and interoperability, and how AI can help agencies improve operations and passenger experience.

Read More →
From Checklists to Better Outcomes
TechnologySeptember 11, 2026

Beyond the Checklist: A Structured Approach to Transit Maintenance

Reliability-Centered Maintenance helps transit agencies move beyond routine checklists to focus limited resources on the assets and failures that have the greatest impact on safety, reliability, and service.

Read More →
An NJ TRANSIT bus.
Technologyby StaffSeptember 11, 2026

NJ TRANSIT Advances Bus Technology Upgrades Across Statewide Fleet

More than 1,500 buses now feature upgraded technology designed to improve arrival predictions and provide free Wi-Fi, with deployment expected to reach nearly 2,000 buses by the end of 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
How BAE Systems Electrifies Transit Fleets
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification

John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.

Read More →
Rendering of an Alstom train in a VIA Rail Station
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
A computer-generated illustration of a transit bus outlined in blue on a black background with random red spots and blue spots.
SponsoredSeptember 8, 2026

From Legacy Silos to Conversational Intelligence

What if transit leaders could ask any operational question and get a trusted answer in seconds? Conversational AI is transforming how agencies use their data.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Federal Funding Advances rail and autonomous vehicles
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

USDOT Announces Rail Vehicle Replacement Grants, Chattanooga AV Shuttle Funding

More than $191 million in federal funding will help three transit agencies replace aging rail vehicles and support a new autonomous shuttle service in Chattanooga.

Read More →