In a move to lure travellers out of their cars and onto public transport, MBTA has launched a WiFi service on its Worcester/Framingham line in Massachusetts.  The system, which currently features in at least one carriage of every commuter train, will - depending on the success of the pilot - eventually be rolled out to every passenger no matter where they’re sitting.  It uses Sprint’s EVDO service, with an external antenna linked to an onboard wireless router, and was installed at a cost of $262,000.

Unlike similar services on planes and in other public places, there does not appear to be a fee involved for users - instead, MBTA is expecting increased ticket sales to subsidise the system.

The pilot is the first of its kind to be launched in the US.