Würzburg is expanding its service, while Augsburg is scaling it back. The arguments for and against vary widely.
Browsing the internet while riding the bus or tram and using public Wi-Fi—something many cities have offered for years—has now been discontinued in Augsburg. The city’s public utility company recently decided to switch off Wi-Fi for passengers. The main reason given was declining demand.
At the same time, officials cited improved network coverage and larger data packages offered by mobile providers as justification for the step. However, so-called “Bayern-WLAN” remains available at several stops. Under this name, the Free State offers more than 50,000 public hotspots across Bavaria, providing free access to the internet.
Würzburg: Number of Accesses Has Risen Sharply Since Launch
How are other cities handling public transport Wi-Fi? In Würzburg, 30 buses and 17 trams are currently equipped with public Wi-Fi. In addition, there are 17 hotspots around the city where anyone can go online for free. According to a spokesperson, use of these hotspots has more than doubled since their introduction in 2015. For that reason, the service on public transport is being expanded. There are no plans to reduce it.
Nuremberg Focuses on Comprehensive Wi-Fi Coverage
According to a spokesperson for Nuremberg’s public transport authority, local transport in the city is now almost completely equipped with Wi-Fi. Demand is strong, and the service is particularly important for young people. It is also seen as a way to build long-term customer loyalty.
No Continuous Wi-Fi in Regensburg and Munich
In Munich, around 60 tram stops and 24 buses currently offer Wi-Fi, according to the city’s public utility company. This was part of a project launched in 2021. However, in the same year, the city council decided to prioritize the expansion of mobile networks instead of Wi-Fi in public transport.
In Regensburg, there is also no continuous Wi-Fi available on buses. However, Bayern-WLAN is accessible at several stops and in 40 buses. An expansion of this service is not planned.
Wi-Fi on Regional Trains
In his first government statement in 2018, Minister-President Markus Söder (CSU) announced that all public transport in Bavaria would be equipped with Wi-Fi by 2020. The current situation: at the end of last year, around 83 percent of passengers on regional trains were able to use Wi-Fi.
In trains, networks from three mobile providers are bundled and retransmitted, so if one provider fails, another can compensate. However, in areas where mobile expansion has “white spots”—places without cell towers—laptops on trains remain disconnected.
With information from dpa
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