BART Cuts Virtually Non-Existent WiFi Service, Virtually Non-Existent Contractor Threatens to Sue

(wifirail.net)

But problems began popping up as early as 2012, when WiFi Rail’s CEO, Cooper Lee, said he had difficulty raising money for the project and was struggling to deal with BART officials about when and where WiFi Rail could begin work. 

In a statement issued Monday, BART spokesman Jim Allison said, “BART has terminated its license agreement with WiFi Rail, Inc. (WFR) to provide Wi-Fi service at BART. Passenger Wi-Fi service will be discontinued today. 

“WFR service had been offered on BART, on a free trial basis, only in downtown areas of San Francisco and Oakland and was available in less than 5 percent of the BART fleet.”
Allison noted the change would not affect cell phone service on trains. 

“WFR has not submitted an adequate financial or technical plan for completing the network throughout the BART system,” Allison said. “The performance of the constructed portions of the network did not meet expectations.” 

Lee said $7 million worth of equipment was installed in 55 train cars on the BART system. He contended the agency has been unable or unwilling to meet with him or his company to resolve lingering connectivity problems.

(SFGate)