No wi-fi for capital’s newest buses
Wellington’s new buses have been called ‘‘wireless buses for a wireless world’’ – but they won’t have wi-fi.
Ahead of the largest changes made to the capital’s bus network, which start on Sunday, there’s no plan for the fleet to have wireless internet.
Christchurch is trialling wi-fi on some buses, Auckland has wi-fi at train stations and some bus stations, and in Dunedin, all public buses have it.
Overseas, cities in Britain and Portugal have had free wi-fi for years and in Adelaide, the entire public transport will receive wi-fi after a successful trial.
A plan to install free wi-fi at Wellington bus and train stops was scrapped last year.
Wellington City councillors cited a lessening need for public wi-fi, and it was suggested at a council meeting that wi-fi could become extinct.
But a 2017 report by Cisco says globally, the number of public wifi hotspots will grow six-fold from 2016 to 2021.
WREDA venues, marketing and destination development general manager David Perks said wi-fi on buses would be a great feature to have.
‘‘But I’m sure visitors will continue to learn everything they need to know from friendly bus drivers.’’
Greater Wellington regional councillor Daran Ponter said to have free wi-fi for passengers, a provider would need to get onboard at no additional cost.
However, it was unlikely an operator would do that meaning the public would have to foot the bill, and fares would go up, he said.
To install the wi-fi on the buses would require internet capability on each vehicle, and someone would have to pay for the connection.