WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Virginia Railway Express knows what kind of wireless service it wants on its trains. It just doesn’t have the money to pay for it.
The transit agency has looked at four ways to provide wireless service so riders can access email and low-bandwidth news and video content on the web via laptops and smartphones. Satellite, cellular, Bluetooth, and Wi-Max connections have all been viewed as possibilities for wireless service on the trains.
The most preferred method is cellular, and it would require the installation of wireless routers in the cab car of each train. VRE would then contract with Verizon as the internet service provider, according to documents that will be presented to the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission Thursday.
If installed, and while trains are moving, each router would be able to deliver internet connection to about eight to 10 devices. The installation cost for the system is estimated to be $1.4 million with an annual operating cost of $230,000, according to the documents.
The wireless system would also provide for easier communication with riders, new marketing methods, and could clear the way for a new paperless fare collection process, VRE states.
The plan comes at a time when many smartphones users have the ability to provide their own internet access by a process known as tethering, or connecting their phone to their computer to access the web. Newer phones also have a “hot spot” capability, allowing computer users to connect wirelessly to the internet through their smart phones.
While there is no money for wireless communication in the current VRE budget, there could be if the current 2013 budget is amended. Commissioners could budget for wireless service for the 2014 budget.
Recent Stories
On Sunday afternoon, nearly 100 people gathered in a Taco Bell parking lot less than a mile from the clinic’s doors with a shared aim: taking ownership of its now-precarious future.
The project to widen Balls Ford Road between Doane Drive and Ashton Avenue to a four-lane, divided roadway is now officially complete. The county’s Department of Transportation held a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the parking lot of the General Shale Brick Company last week.
Another round of weather challenges is in store today as a robust cold front approaches. The front will bring gusty winds and low relative humidity.
Join us on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., for the dedication of the Town of Occoquan’s LOVEworks sign in River Mill Park (415 Mill Street, Occoquan), designed by artist Darby Leondra. This event is free and open to the public.
To celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week (May 6-10, 2024), Clean Air Partners is working with A Few Cool Hardware Stores to exchange DC, Maryland and Virginia residents’ gas-powered lawnmowers, trimmers, and leaf blowers at select Ace Hardware locations in the region. DMV residents who turn in their gas-powered lawn tools will receive a FREE Ego Power+ replacement including batteries and chargers, while supplies last.
Compared to gas, electric lawn equipment can reduce emissions, noise pollution, health risks and maintenance costs and time. The program aims to remove about a hundred gas-powered polluting tools from yards in the greater Baltimore-Washington region.
The exchanges will take place the weekends of May 17-19, 2024, and May 31-June 2, 2024, at A Few Cool Hardware Stores network of employee-owned Ace Hardware stores in the DC and Baltimore metro areas. To participate and get your free Ego Power+ lawn tool, sign up at https://qrco.de/CAPExchange to reserve your tool and select your trade-in date and location.
Are you feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges? Do stress and anxiety seem to dominate your thoughts? At Peaceful Mind Solutions, we understand that navigating mental health can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of compassionate therapists is here to guide you on your journey toward inner peace and emotional well-being. With a client-centered approach, we tailor our therapy sessions to meet your unique needs and goals. Whether you’re struggling with depression, coping with trauma, or simply seeking personal growth, we provide a safe and supportive space for healing and growth.
Embark on a path of self-discovery with our comprehensive range of therapy services, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness practices, and holistic approaches. Our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you cultivate resilience, develop coping skills, and foster a greater sense of self-awareness.
Free Irish Music Concert
Welcoming Spring with music from the Emerald Isle, the New Dominion Choraliers offer a FREE concert on Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City.
Joined by Legacy Brass and members of Old
Spring Ceili: An Irish Music Festival
The New Dominion Choraliers of Prince William County and McGrath Morgan Academy of Irish Dance invite you to join them at our Ceili, a grand celebration of Irish music and dance.
A gathering of performance groups throughout Prince William County
