G

Introduction to Wi-Fi on PRTC's Buses

PRTC is piloting FREE wireless Internet service on our Tyson Corner OmniRide route. These buses serve stops at the Woodbridge VRE Station and I-95 & Route 123 Commuter Lot with express service to Tyson’s Corner. For easy identification, PRTC’s Wi-Fi logo will be posted on Wi-Fi enabled buses.

Using your Wi-Fi enabled device, such as a laptop, PDA, or cell phone, you're able to send e-mail and surf the Web from the comfort of your seat while you commute to and from work. PRTC’s wireless provider is Sprint through RiderNet.

Wi-Fi access provided by PRTC is unsecured, but a firewall is in place to stop brute force hacking. Users should ensure that their wireless devices have up-to-date anti-virus and security protection. PRTC is not responsible for any loss or security breach resulting from the use of this service.

PRTC's Wi-Fi Usage Policy & Disclaimer

The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) provides free on-board Wi-Fi service on OmniRide commuter buses. Customers who use this service are required to do so in a responsible manner. By using PRTC’s Wi-Fi service you are agreeing that you will not use this service to violate any applicable law or regulation, and further agreeing not to:

• Send, receive, or open material displaying text or graphics which may be reasonably construed as offensive, indecent, or objectionable, including pornographic or sexually explicit material;
• Attempt to access or modify files, passwords or data belonging to others or to seek unauthorized access to any computer system or to alter, or damage software components;
• Engage in unauthorized copying of copyrighted and/or licensed software, data, audio or video web content;
• View or listen to loud content; the use of earbuds/headphones is encouraged.

PRTC’s Wi-Fi service is not password protected and offers no security features. Users of PRTC’s Wi-Fi service assume all risks associated with the use of this service and should refrain from transmitting security-sensitive personal information. In addition, users should ensure that devices being used to access PRTC’s Wi-Fi service have up-to-date virus and security protection. PRTC is not responsible for any loss of information or security breach resulting from the use of this service. You should be aware that PRTC may be required to disclose data related to the use of this service if it is served with a legal subpoena or court order.

PRTC uses filtering software to help reduce the possibility of customers accessing or encountering illegal/objectionable content but, because there is no perfect filtering technology and some illegal/objectionable websites may evade the filtering software, passengers wishing to use the WI-FI service will be required to abide by the PRTC Usage Policy described above. Furthermore, failure to abide by PRTC’s Wi-Fi usage policy may result in blocking the offender’s use of the service.

Users are responsible for having the proper hardware, software and network settings on their wireless devices. Bus operators will not provide assistance with Wi-Fi connection problems.

By using the free Internet service provided by PRTC, you are agreeing to the policy and disclaimer set forth above.

Wi-Fi FAQ's

If your question is not answered here, please contact technical support at 1-866-470-6897

Q. How to Identify a Wi-Fi Bus?
PRTC’s Wi-Fi logo is posted on Wi-Fi enabled buses.

Q. Is there a cost to use PRTC’s WiFi Internet service?
No, PRTC’s WiFi is free of charge and there is no registration. The only requirement is that you accept the “Terms of Internet Service Use”.

Q. What equipment do I need to use WiFi?
To use the service, your device (laptop, PDA, cell phone) must be wi-fi enabled. Both PCs and Macs can be used. Using PRTC’s WiFi service is similar to connecting with other wireless Internet services in cafes, office buildings and other wireless hot spots.

Q. Is the WiFi network encrypted or is a passphrase required for access?
No, PRTC’s WiFi uses an unsecured network.  However, you must be on board a bus in order for your wireless device to access the network. A firewall is configured on the wireless router to prevent brute force hacking.

Q. Does PRTC Wi-Fi offer virus protection and security?
No, it does not.  Users should ensure that their wireless devices have up-to-date anti-virus and security protection. PRTC is not responsible for any loss or security breach resulting from the use of this service.

Q. How secure is PRTC’s Wi-Fi network?
PRTC’s wireless network is as secure as any other public open wireless network.  The actual security of the connection will depend on the user’s device and the security application(s) it uses.  You should use the same precautions while on PRTC’s Wi-Fi network that you would exhibit while using any other open wireless network.

Q. How do I connect?
Turn on your wireless equipped laptop computer or handheld device.

1. Enable your wireless radio (WiFi).
2. Open your wireless connections from the taskbar and connect to the public wireless network called PRTC-WiFi.
3. Wireless Privacy (WEP) should be set to “OFF”. No password is required.
4. Launch your web browser.  You will be redirected to the PRTC’s Wi-Fi portal.
5. Review PRTC’s “Terms of Internet Service Use” and if you agree, click “Go”.
6. You will be redirected to the PRTC Home Page.
   

If you encounter difficulty connecting, call Technical Support at 1-866-470-6897.

Q. I can’t connect. What should I do?
First, reboot your computer and carefully follow the instructions above.  If you are still unable to connect you can contact technical support at 1-866-470-6897. Please do not ask the bus operator for assistance with your Wi-Fi connection. Bus operators have not been trained to evaluate and fix Internet related problems.

Q. I see more than one available network.  Which one should I choose?
PRTC’s wireless network will always be identified by the “PRTC-Wi-Fi” service set identifier (SSID).  If you see other available networks, but the “PRTC-Wi-Fi” one does not appear, please notify technical support at 1-866-470-6897 so we can check the equipment when the bus returns to the garage.

Q. My device says it is connected to the WiFi network. Why I can’t browse/check e-mail/use my VPN?
You must accept the “Terms of Internet Service Use” before you will be allowed access to the Internet.  Open a browser window to bring up the PRTC’s Wi-Fi portal page, click “Go” to accept the terms before attempting to access the Internet.

Q. I was connected and everything was working great; why did the Internet suddenly stop working?
Due to normal vehicle movement, signal strengths may vary and you may experience occasional loss of service.  Wait a few minutes and try again. Due to the characteristics of the cellular network, there may be locations where service is intermittent or unavailable. Wi-Fi is solely dependent on the strength of the cellular signal in that area.  This is the same effect as when a person experiences a “dropped” call on a cell phone when hitting a “dead zone”.

Q. Does PRTC’s WiFi Internet use a content filter?
PRTC employs the use of Web content filtering software to assist in prohibiting access to material that is obscene, contains child pornography, or is harmful to minors and to comply with Federal law. However, users should be aware that the nature of the Internet precludes any filtering software from being fully effective. Some sexually explicit or otherwise objectionable sites may evade the filtering device. Other sites may be inadvertently blocked.

Q. Is WiFi available when the bus is not moving?
For WiFi service to be enabled, the bus Ignition signal must be in the “ON” position (similar to a car radio, in order to listen to most automobile radios, the key must be “on”). Once the bus ignition is turned off, WiFi service will be disconnected. Bus operators follow strict protocol regarding engine idling may not be able to accommodate requests to "keep the Ignition on."

Q. What about bandwidth and network speed?
WiFi service can accommodate basic Internet browsing, checking and sending e-mails. Since this is a shared service with limited bandwidth, PRTC has limited streaming video, audio and file downloads as a courtesy to other commuters. In addition, overall connection speed may be affected by the number of WiFi users on the bus.

Q: Can I download large files?
We recommend that you use PRTC’s Wi-Fi connection for simple web services. Downloading or emailing large file attachments may be restricted or result in the loss of the file.

If you have additional Wi-Fi related questions, please call 1-866-470-6897
We hope you enjoy this FREE service!