New York MTA Almost Eliminated WiFi on Buses

The New York City MTA has changed the story, twice, about its plans for little used WiFi service on the city buses.

1 minute read

July 29, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Subway WiFi

WiFi makes a lot of sense to subway riders. | littlenySTOCK / Shutterstock

"The MTA spelled out plans in its latest budget to eliminate lightly used Wi-Fi service on thousands of buses — then backtracked after THE CITY inquired about the proposed cut," reports Jose Martinez.

The agency then announced it was still preparing to cut back WiFi service on buses, "noting it had overestimated how much riders would use Wi-Fi on buses," according to Martinez. A few days later, however, the agency said it wasn't cutting the service at all.

There is evidence that WiFi isn't used very much, probably because so many riders have cellular service. "In January  — when more than 40 million people rode buses — there were 630,000 log-ons to bus Wi-Fi, according to an MTA statement given to THE CITY in March," reports Martinez.

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced WiFi service on MTA buses with much fanfare in 2016, but the additional amenity hasn't been enough to prevent ridership from declining on the city's buses.

Friday, July 26, 2019 in The City

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

The Seat of Government

Good Planning Under Bad Leadership

Planners must sometimes work under bad leadership. Here are suggestions for responsive planning in challenging political environments.

February 3, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up of Donald Shoup during interview.

Legendary Parking Guru Donald Shoup Dies at 86

Urbanists are mourning the loss of a dynamic voice for parking reform and walkable cities.

February 10, 2025 - StreetsBlog NYC

Amtrak train with downtown Seattle in background.

Amtrak Cascades Line Breaks Ridership Record

The route linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC served nearly one million riders in 2024.

February 2, 2025 - Daily Hive

Vacant interior of open plan office with large buildings and stacked wood planks on floor.

Over 71K Office-to-Apartment Units in the Pipeline for 2025

Adaptive reuse projects are continuing to bring thousands of new housing units onto the market as demand for office space remains low.

February 12 - RentCafé

Crane and construction on multi-story buildings in downtown Houston, Texas.

How Houston Can Be a Model for Housing Reform

The city builds more new housing than almost any other and has dramatically reduced homelessness, yet low-income families struggle to find affordable housing.

February 12 - Urban Edge

Small rural USPS post office in manufactured one-story grey building with American flag in front.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes

Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

February 12 - Cowboy State Daily