NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—Last June, New Jersey Transit struck a deal with Optimum to provide a commercial wireless internet (wi-fi) service at its stations for the next 20 years.

New Brunswick was among the first stations picked, along with Newark’s Penn and Broad Street Stations, Rahway, Trenton, Summit, Hoboken, Metropark, the Meadowlands station, Summit, and Montclair State University. 

The service will allow people to connect with the Internet on the train platforms and in the waiting room at the station. 

Cablevision customers can use the new system for free, provided they have their Optimum Online user name and password handy.

Others will need to sign up for a one-day pass to use the service.  Five one-day passes will be free per device, for the lifetime of that device, and a day pass will cost $5 afterwards.

NJ Transit noted that one of its recent surveys has found that roughly two out of every three (67%) of its customers already uses Internet devices on the commute.

The enhancements at New Brunswick train station are only the beginning, however.

New Jersey Transit has 164 train stations and 61 light rail stations; Cablevision claims to have more than 100,000 hotspots.  NJ Transit hopes to complete bringing wi-fi service to its stations by 2016.

However, Cablevision  has not specified a timetable for service rollout.  The bill for constructing the wi-fi hotspots and their infrastructure–reportedly some $140 million–is being footed entirely by Cablevision. 

James Weinstein, the transit agency’s executive director, pointed out, “This public-private partnership will enable NJ Transit to deliver on one of the top requests from our customers: wireless Internet access at stations, and ultimately onboard trains.”

“We are excited to work with Cablevision to further enhance the overall customer experience on our system by offering a dedicated WiFi connection, enabling those who wish to remain connected during their commute to do so continuously.”

Reporter at New Brunswick Today

Richard researched transportation, land use, history, and other topics. Investigated site plans. Attended public meetings (planning board, zoning board, parking authority board of directors, City Council) to record and help determine what was discussed. Analyzed blueprints and site plans to determine what land uses sites would be put to. Photographed sites that would be affected by proposed projects, as well as sites involved in news events. Employed Sketchup CAD to visualize new land uses, such as buildings and structures. Critiqued and wrote articles in fast-paced work environment, writing before deadlines. Made judgments as to what constituted proper material to include in articles. Created a zoning map; am working on ways to show it to the public. Consulted vintage maps to determine historic land uses.

Richard researched transportation, land use, history, and other topics. Investigated site plans. Attended public meetings (planning board, zoning board, parking authority board of directors, City Council) to record and help determine what was discussed. Analyzed blueprints and site plans to determine what land uses sites would be put to. Photographed sites that would be affected by proposed projects, as well as sites involved in news events. Employed Sketchup CAD to visualize new land uses, such as buildings and structures. Critiqued and wrote articles in fast-paced work environment, writing before deadlines. Made judgments as to what constituted proper material to include in articles. Created a zoning map; am working on ways to show it to the public. Consulted vintage maps to determine historic land uses.