RALEIGH -- In conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Piedmont train, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Rail Division will launch its new Piedmont Connect Wi-Fi Service later this month. According to info from the Rail Division, The addition of Piedmont Connect Wi-Fi on May 25^th will ensure complete wireless internet services to passengers traveling between Raleigh and Charlotte. The Piedmont Connect Wi-Fi service will allow passengers non-stop access to surf the web, check and respond to email, engage in social media and stay connected while traveling on the 174-mile corridor.

“Railroads are an important part of our national transportation system, and ensuring passenger safety, efficiency and connectivity on the Piedmont corridor will lead to economic opportunities for the regions of Raleigh and Charlotte and the cities, towns and communities in between,” said Paul Worley, NCDOT Rail Director in a press release. “We see a growing trend in ridership on regional trains like the Piedmont, with over 300 passengers a day. We believe by deploying new Wi-Fi services we can increase passenger satisfaction and attract new customers.”

The Carolinian train, also supported by NCDOT, already features Wi-Fi service.

NCDOT is modernizing the Piedmont corridor through a series of projects and enhancements known as the Piedmont Improvement Program. The focus of PIP is to make train travel safer, more reliable and better connected. The addition of Wi-Fi as a standard service on Piedmont trains will enhance the overall quality of experience for passengers, potentially increase ridership due to the availability of Wi-Fi and provide extra layers of railway safety in the future by supporting train control and monitoring systems.

This Wi-Fi service provider is ViaSat Managed Wi-Fi Services of Carlsbad, California. ViaSat’s system includes complete coverage of the Piedmont corridor, optimizing Wi-Fi and internet availability to passengers.