Eurailmag - #15 - March 2007 - (Page 58)

Services WIFI ON TRAINS MAKING THE RIGHT CONNECTIONS? TRAIN OPERATORS AROUND THE WORLD ARE WAKING UP TO THE FACT THAT THEIR PASSENGERS WANT INTERNET ACCESS AS THEY SPEED TOWARDS THEIR DESTINATIONS. AS COMMUTERS CRAWL SLEEPY-EYED TOWARDS WORK, OR LONG-HAUL TRAVELERS LOUNGE CAPTIVE IN THEIR SEATS, MOST SAY THEY WOULD LOVE TO USE THEIR LAPTOPS TO HOOK UP TO THE NET. ccording to research by technology consultancy BWCS, presented at the Train Communications Systems 2006 Conference in London last year, almost 100% of on-train laptop users would access an on-board internet connection if it was free. However, BWCS warned that this figure drops rapidly once charging is involved. The sweetspot for on-board users, the researchers found, is US$10.00 an hour, when 47% of respondents said they would still be interested in popping open their laptops and accessing e-mails, hooking up to work programmes or simply surfing the net. But why should Train operators respond to reported passenger demands for on-board WiFi? What is in it for them? At last year’s WiFi on Trains conference BWCS, put forward eight possible reasons for TOCs to choose to install onboard internet access. MD Graham Wilde urged operators to choose three of these reasons, but no more, and then work out how they would measure the success or otherwise of any service trial. Of course, some brave pioneers have already taken the plunge and started offering onboard WiFi systems. All of these companies were present at last year’s conference to report back to the majority of operators who have yet to make the move. GNER and Southern Trains in the UK, Dutch operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen and SJ Trains in Sweden have been among the first to launch commercial trials and later full-blown services. Meanwhile, many other train operating companies are examining the best way to provide this service to their passengers. One of the best known set of trials going on at the moment is the Capitol Corridors Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) tests that are taking place on the West Coast of America. Wireless savvy commuters on the Silicon Valley line have been pleading for on-board connections for the last three years. Jim Allison, who is in charge of West Coast project, is scheduled to report back to his peers at this year’s Train Communications Systems event in London on what he and his rail company have learned from the trials. Capitol Corridors has been working with four selected companies and each participant has been asked to install and test their own networks and equipment, at their own expense. The CCJPA has allocated them rolling stock, sections of the 171 mile long track and space at stations for them to use for their equipment. Once the train company is happy with the results of the trials, it says it will use them to formulate a competitive bid process. There is no doubt that many other transport companies throughout the US and Europe are paying close attention to the progress of the technical trials on the West Coast. Meanwhile, some of the Rail WiFi pioneers are moving beyond just offering passengers onboard internet connections and are working on systems that contribute to saving the train operators time and money. Peter Kingsland of Swedish-based supplier Icomera summed the new position up neatly, “Train operators such as GNER (UK) and SJ (Sweden) are now utilising their fleet-wide IP networks to enhance customer service delivery and improve in-service visibility of on-train diagnostic systems. The fleet WiFi applications beyond passenger internet access are compelling because they impact directly on the TOC’s bottom line.” Icomera will be one of many companies in London this summer at Train Communications Systems 2007 presenting on a whole new raft of reasons as to why train companies may want to finally start installing on-board internet access – to please both their passengers and their shareholders Train Communications 2007 will be held in central London on the 6th and 7th of June 2007. Please be advised that places are limited and that delegate places are selling out fast. Please book now to avoid disappointment FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THIS YEAR’S TRAIN COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS 2007 EVENT, Please visit www.TrainComms2007.com or e-mail Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com THE POSSIBLE MOTIVES PUT FORWARD WERE: • Opportunity to boost operator’s revenue/profit • A modal shift of customers away from air travel etc • Trade ups to 1st class • Customer loyalty • Improving the operator’s image • Piggybacking on other applications • Defensive reaction to other service offerings • Impress shareholders • Make the IT dept look good…? Issue 15 EURAILmag Business & Technology http://www.TrainComms2007.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Eurailmag - #15 - March 2007

SOMMAIRE
NOTICE BOARD
COATINGS
NEWS
SERVICES
INFRASTRUCTURE
HIGH-SPEED LINES
TUNNELS
PEOPLE
ROLLING STOCK
WEBSITE DIRECTORY

Eurailmag - #15 - March 2007

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