CTA adds subway station to free WiFi network

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President Dorval Carter Jr. yesterday announced the availability of free WiFi service at the Clark/Lake Blue Line subway station.

The new service is ideal for commuters and visitors who want to quickly download media or applications, or access the internet at the station without using their paid wireless service, CTA officials said in a press release.

"This is yet another added convenience we’re offering our customers to help make taking public transit an even more appealing option," Carter said.

CTA plans to expand WiFi coverage to the Washington, Monroe and Jackson Blue Line subway stations by January's end. The authority currently has continuous 4G wireless coverage crossing 22 miles from O'Hare International Airport through the underground tunnels and platforms of the Red and Blue lines, the CTA's two busiest routes.

Connectivity upgrades to the subway wireless network — which was upgraded in late 2015 — enables the CTA to offer free WiFi service. Emanuel aims to make Chicago the first large North American city to provide transit riders with 4G wireless coverage across its entire system of subway stations and tunnels, CTA officials said.