Technology

How On-Board Internet Access Can Encourage Passengers to Use Public Transport

25/01/2022

It is fair to say that the internet plays a huge role in our lives. It keeps you company, offering you many options to kill time during moments of boredom. It provides you with all the information you want in a matter of seconds. It also allows you to search for feel-good music and ASMR videos to help you relax at the end of a busy day.

Therefore, it has become almost impossible to find a home that does not have an internet connection. Most pubs and restaurants have followed suit, with Wi-Fi codes in plain sight at the bar to invite guests to take advantage of the building’s free internet access. In this respect, public transport is adapting and upgrading too.

In fact, internet access on-board can truly make a massive difference in encouraging passengers to use trains and buses. This is particularly pressing as we hear more and more worrying stories about the dreadful effects of climate change on our planet, not to mention the news about London being the most congested city in the world.

This article will take a look at some of the benefits and positive impacts that Wi-Fi on public transport can have on the lives of travellers and commuters.

Provides entertainment

If your destination is hours away from your starting point, you may be in for a long ride, yawning and nodding off as you look at the views darting by. Some may read an enticing thriller or the daily newspaper to pass the time; however, some passengers suffer from kinetosis – otherwise known as ‘motion sickness’ – that prevents them from laying their eyes on a book for a certain length of time while travelling.

By having internet access on-board, travellers can find endless ways to fill their journey. If staring at a screen for too long makes you feel dizzy, you can always search for a podcast or some music and listen to your choice as you watch the world go by.

Ultimately, this helps decrease the perception of travel time, therefore lifting the mood of bored passengers. With the power to provide on-board entertainment for all tastes, internet access and railway Wi-Fi connectivity are essential tools to encourage commuters to hop on trains and buses more frequently.

Favours productivity

Another great advantage of on-board internet access is that it allows passengers to be productive while on the road – or the rail. Indeed, with a laptop, tablet, or smartphone at hand, workers can start carrying out their job duties as they make their way to the office. Whether it is checking your emails, revising for an exam, or setting up meetings in your digital diary, on-board Wi-Fi can help you prepare for the day ahead on the go.

Internet access on public transport can truly promote productivity. Giving employees the chance to look at assignments on trains and buses, on-board Wi-Fi can positively influence and favour workplace efficiency.

Offers live updates

When at the wheel of your own car, it is tricky to source information about road traffic and potential on-route delays. Instead, as you sit comfortably on a bus or a train, internet access can help passengers discover all the information they need about their trip. What time will you reach your final destination? Can you catch the next connecting service?

Wi-Fi connection on public transport can actively provide customers with live updates. Being aware of arrival details and possible setbacks along the way gives passengers the chance to shape their plans accordingly. This works wonders on their mood and satisfaction levels too. Ultimately, offering commuters the opportunity to both rearrange their programs and manage their time will encourage more people to resort to public transport.

Aids emergencies and increases safety

Unfortunately, unexpected events can happen from one moment to the next. Therefore, they could also occur during your journey without prior notice.

In these situations, having internet access can be a significant advantage. Indeed, it will allow you to contact authorities in many different (and subtle, if necessary) ways – from texts to messages on social media. It also offers you the chance to share your location with friends and family at the click of a button.

Moreover, Wi-Fi connection can increase passengers’ perception of safety. By browsing live information about their trip and connecting services, especially at night, customers can travel with more confidence and peace of mind.

Thanks to continuous advances in technology, we can enjoy information and entertainment all day long. Likewise, by using on-board Wi-Fi and internet-connected devices, passengers can truly make the most of their travel time. From live updates to productivity, it is safe to say that internet access has an array of important benefits to encourage travellers and commuters to use public transport on a regular basis.