The days of hunting down a Maccas in Los Angeles for internet and a quick social media update are coming to an end as the city rolls out free wi-fi aboard its Metro buses.
Over the next fortnight, the city’s public transport leaders will test free wi-fi on around 150 Metro buses, which will be selected at random to ensure no route or geographic area has more wi-fi buses than the other.
Once drivers have submitted their feedback and IT geniuses have adjusted any errors, the system will be installed on another 150 buses over the next six months. The rest of the 2,200-vehicle fleet will receive wireless network in the coming years.
For international visitors, including Aussies, free wi-fi on Metro buses means answering emails, SnapChatting friends, checking-in on Facebook and uploading Instagram snaps as they roll around the popular destination – literally.
Buses equipped with free wi-fi will be marked with green decals. Once on board, riders need to go into their phone settings, search for the wireless network called ‘Free Metro WiFi’ and connect.
Despite what you’d expect from free public internet, the service won’t be lousy. According to the L.A. bus company, there’ll be no limit to usage and it’ll run on a 4G LTE signal, which may not be fast enough to download video or stream Netflix, but it’s pretty decent, LA.Curbed.com reported.
L.A. couldn’t have chosen a better time to introduce wi-fi on its public transport with its annual Summer dineL.A. food event kicking off next month – meaning there’ll be thousands of travellers with #foodporn pics to share on social.
Summer dineL.A. runs for 15 days from 14 July and features value-driven menus in more than 300 restaurants throughout L.A.
‘Summer roadtrip’, is this season’s dineL.A. theme – inviting guests to travel to and throughout the city eating their way across the various neighbourhoods and a diverse variety of cuisines.
Tying into the roadtrip theme, Gary Baseman, Emmy award-winning creator of ABC/Disney’s animation series Teacher’s Pet, has designed a map featuring iconic Los Angeles landmarks and restaurants that will be included in the dineL.A. Roadtrip Guide. The guide contains a list of participating restaurants divided by neighbourhoods, a helpful tool that diners can print from the dineL.A. website or pick up at visitor information centres throughout the city.
Diners can feast at a range of options including newcomers such as Officine BRERA, Odys + Penelope, The Ponte, and timeless favourites like Spago, Border Grill, and Chaya. Additional participants include celebrated restaurants, such as Alimento, Connie & Ted’s, a.o.c., and more.
Summer dineL.A.’s specially-priced lunch menus are US$15, $20, and $25, with dinner menus priced at US$29, $39, and $49.
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