[Scan-DC] Wireless service expanding in Metro system

[b_thom at juno.com]

From: Alan Henney alan at henney.com 
Fri Feb 27 22:53:49 EST 2009 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lisa Farbstein
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 2:51 PM
Subject: News from Metro: Wireless service expanding in Metro system

Metrorail wireless service to expand: Internet access, expanded cell
phone use coming

Metro riders will be able to call home from any cell phone, access the
Internet from any Web-enabled cell phone and eventually have Wi-Fi
access in the rail system, under an agreement approved Thursday, Feb.
26, by Metro’s Board.
================

The reason for this is a provision in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, which, along with the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, is part of PUBLIC LAW 110–432.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_public_laws&docid=f:publ432.pdf

Go down to the very end.

PUBLIC LAW 110–432—OCT. 16, 2008
TITLE VI—CAPITAL AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS FOR WASHINGTON
METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY
SEC. 601. AUTHORIZATION FOR CAPITAL AND PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
PROJECTS FOR WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA TRANSIT AUTHORITY.
....

(e) ACCESS TO WIRELESS SERVICE IN METRORAIL SYSTEM.—
(1) REQUIRING TRANSIT AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO
SERVICE.—No amounts may be provided to the Transit Authority pursuant to the authorization under this section unless the Transit Authority ensures that customers of the rail service of the Transit Authority have access within the rail system to services provided by any licensed wireless provider that notifies the Transit Authority (in accordance with such procedures as the Transit Authority may adopt) of its intent to offer service to the public, in accordance with the
following timetable:
(A) Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, in the 20 underground rail station platforms with the highest volume of passenger traffic.
(B) Not later than 4 years after such date, throughout the rail system.
(2) ACCESS OF WIRELESS PROVIDERS TO SYSTEM FOR
UPGRADES AND MAINTENANCE.—No amounts may be provided to the Transit Authority pursuant to the authorization under this section unless the Transit Authority ensures that each licensed wireless provider who provides service to the public within the rail system pursuant to paragraph (1) has access to the system on an ongoing basis (subject to such restrictions as the Transit Authority may impose to ensure that such access will not unduly impact rail operations or threaten the safety of customers or employees of the rail system) to carry out
emergency repairs, routine maintenance, and upgrades to the service.
(3) PERMITTING REASONABLE AND CUSTOMARY CHARGES.—
Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prohibit the Transit Authority from requiring a licensed wireless provider to pay reasonable and customary charges for access granted under this subsection.

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