SYDNEY, Australia — BAI Communications, which owns and operates the underground wireless network in the Toronto Transit Commission’s subway system (which is used by Freedom Mobile), today published a new report that suggests there is growing demand among rail users for transport authorities and operators to invest in 5G networks and smart city services.
BAI Communications’ 2020 Connectivity Outlook report is based on a recent global study commissioned by BAI, which surveyed more than 2,400 rail users across five cities: Hong Kong, London, New York, Sydney and Toronto. The report highlights the opinions of rail users around the world regarding mobile connectivity, smart city infrastructure and data-driven services, and is designed to help cities and governments understand the changing needs of rail users and the services they value today, says the news release announcing availability of the report.
Among the report’s findings are the following:
- 91% of current rail users say they would support government authorities investing in new and reliable wireless and fibre networks, and 83% say they support their city investing in 5G
- 93% of rail users would support transit systems which use connectivity to reduce commute times
- 95% of rail users are more likely to use the rail network in their city if technology-driven solutions were implemented
- 81% of rail users are at least somewhat comfortable with their anonymized data being used to improve transport systems
- 91% of rail users are at least somewhat comfortable with the idea of receiving tailored alerts about problems or delays on their normal route
- 78% of workers would use public transport to get to meetings if they could reliably work on documents as they travel
- 89% of rail users think the government should consider how networks and digital connectivity can be used to redesign public spaces to make them safer and more accessible
The study was conducted in the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic, and BAI’s research suggests advanced mobile networks and smart technology will be critical factors in restoring commuter confidence in public transport use in the post-pandemic world, says the news release.
“Citizens certainly expect public services such as transport to adjust to their new usage patterns and changing circumstances in real time, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Justin Berger, chief strategy officer at BAI Communications, in the release. “Advanced communications networks and their applications can help authorities and public transport operators to respond to rail users’ new ways of travelling, working and living in a more efficient way.”
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