Amtrak To Upgrade Acela With Free Wi-Fi

Amtrak plans to launch free wireless Internet on Acela Express trains in the second quarter of next year, according to a five-year plan released Thursday.

The government-owned rail provider said Wi-Fi installation already is underway on Acela Express trains, which serve Boston, New York and Washington, D.C. "This service will initially be offered at no cost to our customers," Amtrak said in its financial plan, "though pricing may change depending on customer response, system performance and costs."

Amtrak expects the free service to help increase ridership, adding $4.3 million in incremental revenue through the end of fiscal year 2014, according to Amtrak estimates.

In addition to Acela, Amtrak said it is preparing to extend Wi-Fi to other services, "depending on market response," with Northeast Regional trains likely the first.