Metrolink Wifi

[ValleyLines142]

Morning all,

I did post this question in the Manchester Metrolink Master thread; however, following the decision by the team to close it and have several threads instead, I have made a new one! A sensible idea I think; there were too many topics being posted into one big thread and no one could see hidden posts such as mine!

Is 3054 still currently the only tram with wifi fitted?

MTIA!

 

[Manchester77]

Yeah it's still only 3054 as once you've used it they want your fill in a survey about the wifi. I found it quite good was able to check this site and send some messages!

 

[ValleyLines142]

That's really handy! Is there some sort of TOPS access for units to see where 3054 is?

 

[rebmcr]

I've seen it on East Didsbury - Rochdale a lot. Not sure if it lives there as standard.

 

[Shrimper]

It's Queens Road based so can end up on anything (though is less likely on Eccles simply as Eccles/MCUK is mostly the non-VRS M5000s). Stand in Piccadilly Gardens and it will pass you eventually as long as it isn't in the workshop or designated spare!

 

[1e10]

Was on this once but didn't realise there was free Wi-Fi until after. You'd think the Wi-Fi SSID would be something a little more obvious..

 

[tamesidedepot]

when I was on 3054 I am sure the SSID was something like FreebeeMetrolink

 

[1e10]

when I was on 3054 I am sure the SSID was something like FreebeeMetrolink

It displays as FreeBeeMCR.

 

[Moonshot]

I was actually on this one today.....great idea, roll it out to the rest of the fleet!!

 

[1e10]

I was actually on this one today.....great idea, roll it out to the rest of the fleet!!

I don't understand why the roll-out is so slow. There is clearly demand for this sort of service and companies out there with the technical expertise to roll this sort of thing out at scale.

 

[185]

I don't understand why the roll-out is so slow. There is clearly demand for this sort of service and companies out there with the technical expertise to roll this sort of thing out at scale.

It's an evaluation unit, initially to see if it works. As taxpayers money is initially funding it, the PTE want best value, and try to avoid buying things that simply don't work. The time of the rollout will happen subject to funding and the technology actually working.

 

[1e10]

It's an evaluation unit, initially to see if it works. As taxpayers money is initially funding it, the PTE want best value, and try to avoid buying things that simply don't work. The time of the rollout will happen subject to funding and the technology actually working.

My point is that there are already companies out there providing solutions for buses and trains. We already know this stuff works.

 

[34D]

Incidentally, it is dirt cheap. The bus company I work with has had a quote - something like £15 a month with equipment supplied for free.

 

[507 001]

I know at first the equipment was suspected of causing a few problems with other on boar systems. I have no idea if these problems have been resolved.

 

[edwin_m]

Incidentally, it is dirt cheap. The bus company I work with has had a quote - something like £15 a month with equipment supplied for free.

That's only slightly more than home wi-fi!
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I know at first the equipment was suspected of causing a few problems with other on boar systems. I have no idea if these problems have been resolved.

Always a risk of electromagnetic compatibility issues with something like this, though I would have thought the tram would be more likely to affect the wi-fi than the other way round. So a good idea to make sure there are no problems with the initial one before committing to fit 93 more.

 

[rebmcr]

My point is that there are already companies out there providing solutions for buses and trains. We already know this stuff works.

This is not Satellite- or Mobile-based though, it piggybacks on the mesh network installed for the TMS signalling.

 

[WatcherZero]

And also the spare capacity of the fibre optic trunk theyve laid alongside the lines for the new signalling.