Metra board delays Wi-Fi decision

After considerable discussion, Metra’s board today deferred a decision on testing Wi-Fi on its trains.

“I recommend we not spend another penny on this until it goes back to committee” for more study, board member Mike McCoy said.

Metra has been contemplating spending $3.4 million for a one-year pilot test on the Rock Island line.

A consultant estimated, however, that it could cost over $70 million over five years to put Wi-Fi on all 11 lines.

The high cost of installing equipment and operating Wi-Fi without any source of recouping that money was repeatedly cited as a reason for delaying a decision by board members.

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