Metro North

M.T.A.

New York City commuters take note: It looks like Metro North and the Long Island Rail Road are becoming broadband-friendly.

MuniWireless reports that the M.T.A. and L.I.R.R. have issued a Request for Expressions of Interest for wireless broadband deployment in trains and stations, a move, the Web site notes, that is consistent with an increase in public transport companies providing Wi-Fi to passengers to entice them away from car commuting. (Sounds like Mayor Bloomberg would love that.)

They have the full document embedded in PdF form here, but scroll down for an excerpt.

The R.F.E.I. is dated July 1, although M.T.A. officials mentioned it back in June after Sen. Chuck Schumer criticized L.I.R.R. for lagging on providing Wi-Fi for riders.

Dana Spiegel of NYCWireless weighs in with some context: