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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:

SJ Morrison
Madison County Transit
(618) 797-4600

MCT GOES WIRELESS

MCT Express Buses Now Equipped with Free WiFi Internet Access

GRANITE CITY, ILL., SEPTEMBER 24, 2008 ... The connection to work for Madison County Transit (MCT) Express passengers will soon become their connection to the world, as all MCT Express buses will be equipped with free wireless Internet access beginning October 1. The service, known as ‘MCT WiFi on Wheels’ has been installed on more than 40 MCT heavy duty buses and will enable passengers to surf the web while they ride. Beginning in 2004, with Mountain Metro Transit in Colorado Springs, MCT is one of many transit systems around the country that has added this amenity for an increasingly tech-savvy citizenry that expects wireless Internet access in public spaces. Other transit systems that have gone wireless and reported favorable results include: Seattle, Boston, Salt Lake City, Cincinnati, Oakland and Albuquerque.

“For MCT passengers, commuting is already affordable, convenient and relaxing,” said MCT Managing Director Jerry Kane. “With wireless Internet on the bus, commuting becomes more productive as well.”

To access the service, passengers must be onboard a MCT Express bus and have a laptop computer or handheld device that is equipped with the appropriate wireless technology. When the computer is powered on, a “splash screen” with “Terms of Internet Service Use” will appear. The user must “agree” to the terms of service by clicking the “GO” button in order to proceed. No additional registration or passwords are required. Similar to any public ‘WiFi Hot Spot,’ MCT’s WiFi uses an unsecured open wireless network that is installed on the bus. Passengers are advised to use the same precautions while on MCT’s WiFi network that they would exhibit while using any other open wireless network. MCT’s service providers will also use content-filtering software in an attempt to restrict access to offensive sites.

For details about MCT services and bus schedules, please call (618) 931-7433, Option #3 or visit www.mct.org.

Madison County Transit (MCT) enhances the mobility of the St. Louis region by providing multi-modal transportation services. MCT operates a fixed-route bus service locally and regionally connecting to MetroLink; express weekday commuter service directly to and from downtown St. Louis; and seasonal express service to the Rams games and the Muny. For elderly and disabled residents who are unable to use the fixed-route buses, MCT provides paratransit bus service. MCT is also responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 85 miles of scenic Madison County bikeways known as the MCT Trails, as well as overseeing RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s FREE carpooling and vanpooling program. For more information on MCT services, routes and schedules, call (618) 931-7433, Option 3, or visit www.mct.org.