Two VIA Rail passengers work on their laptops and use their cell phones while traveling in the Québec City–Windsor corridor.

As a world-class organization, VIA Rail was looking at ways to add value for its customers by providing them with wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) service on their trains and in their Panorama lounges and mainline rail stations along its Windsor to Québec City corridor. For VIA Rail, the addition of these new services will attract more passengers and expand its market share, while also creating a new revenue stream for the company.

Parsons was selected by VIA Rail in April 2005 to design and install the network and commercially manage these services for an initial duration of 5 years.

How Onboard Wi-Fi Works

Internet In Motion

Parsons is equipping over 150 train cars, 22 mainline stations, and 7 first-class lounges with a wireless network. Parsons has already implemented the Wi-Fi service in 2 stations, 5 trains, and 4 Panorama lounges. Fleet deployment is expected to be complete by November 2006. Passengers will be able to access the following services:

• Web browsing
• Email
• Streaming video

The network will allow the development of new services, including digital advertising, rich media distribution, and entertainment services such as pay-per-view movies and television content. VIA Rail also intends to use the network to deploy various operational applications, including e-ticketing, passenger manifest reports, and work order scheduling to increase maintenance efficiency.

This deployment is the largest of its kind in the world and will provide VIA Rail with a reliable and sustainable revenue stream. The design, implementation, and operation of the specific solution for VIA Rail will be performed at no cost or risk to VIA Rail. Parsons has funded the necessary capital investments and ongoing operational costs with a share of profitable revenues being returned to VIA Rail after Parsons’ costs have been recouped.

This station- and train-borne technology platform can also be used to improve overall systems operations by automating a number of maintenance and dispatching functions via wireless technology:

• Providing global positioning system (GPS) location of all train cars
• Using data messaging to reduce the conventional voice radio traffic
• Deploying onboard video cameras

A VIA Rail train traveling through the picturesque city of Québec in the Québec City–Windsor corridor.

Parsons and VIA Rail (and their creative agency) developed a joint marketing plan to promote the products and services that will be offered from the network.

The promotion of the services will be under the popular and powerful VIA Rail brand. It makes sound business sense to leverage VIA Rail to the benefit of all parties.

The Business of Communications

With the right infrastructure in place, additional revenues can be generated through Wi-Fi from such previously untapped sources as advertising, information displays, and entertainment. Internet In Motion provides innovative solutions for transportation authorities to deliver wireless access service with customized content. Given the large number of people traveling daily and the fact that they are a captive audience, this very attractive, focused commuter market is ideal for accessing virtually all forms of Wi-Fi service.

Parsons provides new, innovative service solutions to transportation entities, using both wired and wireless access to deliver customized content services. These capabilities offer facility operators additional revenue streams from previously untapped resources. Parsons intends to implement similar programs with other transportation clients throughout North America during 2006.

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