I’ve traveled to Boston several times in the past few months and have tried both JetBlue’s cheap fares and Amtrak’s comparably priced Acela service. Coming from Manhattan, it a real toss up between the two. It’s much easier to get to Penn Station for the train. There’s no security hassle and I can actually get a comfortable seat and do some work. Unfortunately it takes longer. Getting out to JFK, costs $40 and by the time you get through security and settled (I mean crammed) in your seat you got about 20 minutes were you can turn on the laptop and get something done. Though, flying gets you there in half the time as the train.
Now is it just me, but if Amtrak offered WiFi service I wouldn’t even bother with flying and all its hassles. I imagine most business travelers doing the Boston/Philadelphia/D.C. routes would make that choice as well. It’s ridiculous that Amtrak goes into bankruptcy every few years, but can’t capitalize on its advantages over the airlines when it comes to regional travel. It’s not an issue of technology either. There are senior citizens driving around in RV’s that use cellular or satellites for Internet access.
If Amtrak made the investment, they’d certainly see a return on it.
Eric Santiago 
I’ve long thought exactly the same thing. I more often travel to DC or Wilmington from NYC, but the whole core Amtrack NE Corridor line should have Wi-fi service.
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Any carrier, carrying people any distance, should be providing wifi. Simply, it would be good for business. The cost is minor when compared with the benefit in more and happier commuters. Booking a trip on the cascade (west coast) run, had to snicker at the chance I have to buy some sort of entertainment machine preloaded with content. Wow, sounds like a blast. Does it come with a free party hat and some jiffy pop?
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Here we are, nearly two years later, and they still lack wi-fi. At least they have it in 5 stations now…
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British Rail offers free Wi-Fi on their trains.
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June 2008, still no wi-fi on the train. I am on the train right now, in fact, but I have to use my cell phone for internet access. It’s not like wi-fi is difficult to install! I just don’t get it. It would pay for itself so quickly.
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