Did Free Wi-Fi Make a Difference to Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor Service? An Evaluation of the Impact on Riders and Ridership

In November 2011, Amtrak launched free Wi-Fi service on all trains traveling the California Capitol Corridor route. Surveys of passengers found that wi-fi access has a positive impact on the expected travel frequency, especially for new riders. A discrete choice model was used to predict the choice to use the free wi-fi service; results identified demographic characteristics and other factors that indicate which passengers are more likely to use the service. Prior to installation, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority indicated that a 1-2% increase in ridership would justify the free wi-fi. That result appears to have been met and most likely exceeded.

• Record URL:
  http://www.its.ucdavis.edu/wp-content/themes/ucdavis/pubs/download_pdf.php?id=1845
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Davis

  Institute of Transportation Studies
  Davis, CA  United States  95616

  Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority

  300 Lakeside Drive
  14th Floor, East
  Oakland, CA  United States  94612

  California Department of Transportation

  1120 N Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95814

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Mokhtarian, Patricia L
  • Neufeld, Amanda J.
  • Dong, Zhi
  • Circella, Giovanni
• Publication Date: 2013-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 83p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: In transit passenger services; Railroad commuter service; Ridership; Wireless communication systems
• Identifier Terms: Amtrak; Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority; IEEE 802.11 (Standard)
• Geographic Terms: California
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Public Transportation; I70: Traffic and Transport;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01497437
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Report/Paper Numbers: UCD-ITS-RR-13-03
• Files: CALTRANS, UTC, TRIS, RITA, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 1 2013 2:40PM