The Salt Lake Tribune (who needs some SEO love on their URLs) reported the start of a new pilot program of UTA buses with free wifi access. The first ones to get it are some buses from Ogden Utah to Salt Lake City. This is a great idea!

I would love to take the bus to work if I knew I could write my blog on the way. I hope this is successful. It sounds like it is getting some buzz. I notice free wifi around town and always email the newest spots (Magelby’s in the Riverwoods now has it) to wififreespot.

What I’d really love is for TRAX to come to Utah County and have free wireless. That is my optimal commute, especially in the Winter. I wouldn’t mind if it took longer to get to work if I could be online while I waited. I can do most of my job remotely.

If you live in Utah help spread the word, give public comment, and vote for programs like this. If you live somewhere else, maybe you can petition your public transportation systems in hopes of getting them to test a similiar program.

I just did a search and noticed that Phil Windley blogged about this in 2002. I agree with him, I’d be willing to pay extra for this service. I still don’t understand why bookstores charge as much as home wireless costs (Border & Barnes & Noble).

If buses or light rail made it about $10 a month as he suggests, I believe it could be successful and encourage more people to take public transportation. It could help productivity and air quality in one solution.

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