TransLink to restart free Wi-Fi plans after year-long pandemic delay

Nearly a year after Translink first promised to begin rolling out free WiFi system-wide, the transit authority says it can finally get the ball rolling again, with an initial offering on just a handful of its buses and trains and at stations.

In a statement Tuesday, the public transit providersaid therolloutwill restartthis year, initially onjust six RapidBusesand three SkyTrains, includingEdmonds Station and the Carvolth Exchange bus loop.

Tuesday's statement appears to bea re-announcement of a 2018promise of system-wide WiFi access, which it had originally pledged wouldbegin rolling out in 2020, with a 2025 completion date.

In an email following up on aCBCinquiry, the transit authority said the delay was caused bythe pandemic which itsaid forced planners to shift focus to ensure safe operations and travel throughout the region.

"Now that ridership is recovering, we're very excited to bring back projects like our WiFi partnership with Shaw and we look forward to continuing the installation of WiFi on more transit vehicles over time," it said in the email.

TransLinksays the system should be fully in place by 2026, and will be accessible by all its customers, including those whoaren't Shaw customers.

Posters and signage will be on display on vehicles and at transit hubs providing WiFi, it said, to provide clear instructions on how to connect to the service while riding transit.