New York MTA Almost Eliminated WiFi on Buses

"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.