![Today was the first day of school throughout the Minneapolis Public School System and the first day where student began to ride the Metro transit buses to school. Students arrived at Patrick Henry High on the number 5 Metro Transit Bus . ] Richard.Sennott@startribune.com Richard Sennott /Star Tribune. , Minneapolis Minn. Monday 08/27/12) ** (cq) ORG XMIT: MIN1208271006182156](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/SDT3F7NNC2ITM4QP6HTP7EF7WE.jpg?&w=1080)
Following the lead of other local transit agencies, Metro Transit is bringing free Wi-Fi service to selected express routes and on some urban and local routes.
The pilot program is being phased in this month and will be used on 57 motorcoach express buses on routes serving Blaine, Columbus, Coon Rapids, East Bethel, Fridley, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lakeville, Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The service also will be tested on 10 urban routes, which will rotate through out the metro area.
"Our riders have been asking for it," said spokesman Howie Padilla. "We'll see how the riders embrace it."
Buses with Wi-Fi will be marked with sign above the windshield and near the front door, Padilla said. Riders simply need to connect their mobile device to TransitWi-Fi, agree to the terms and begin browsing. Steaming won't be available, however.
Metro Transit has offered free Wi-Fi on the Northstar commuter rail line since September 2013.
In adding Wi-Fi to some of its buses, Metro Transit joins the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority and SouthWest Transit and Plymouth Metrolink in offering the service.
