BART dumps on-train Wi-Fi

BART officials announced today that the agency has terminated its agreement with a company to provide free wireless Internet service in downtown San Francisco and Oakland.

The license agreement with WiFi Rail Inc. to provide Wi-Fi service in the two downtown areas will be discontinued effective today, BART spokesman Jim Allison said. The action does not affect cellphone service on BART and was only available in less than 5 percent of the agency’s fleet, Allison said.

He said BART apologizes for any inconvenience to customers and is currently evaluating several options for passenger Wi-Fi services. BART officials announced in 2009 what was then called a 20-year agreement with WiFi Rail Inc. with plans for free Wi-Fi service with advertisements or a paid, ad-fee subscription.