Icomera
Icomera
It’s Make-or-Break for US Passenger Rail – Connectivity Is Key for Long-Term Success
This article first appeared in the Railway-News Magazine Issue 2 2024.
The concept of the digital train is not simply an imaginary glimpse into the future; it is the imminent evolution of public transport tailor-made to meet the expectations of a connected world.
With every turn of the wheels, the very notion of travel is being reimagined, shaping up to fit into a digitally dominated era where seamless internet connectivity is as essential as the tracks upon which the trains ride.
Gone are the days when digital transformation within railways was constrained by bits and pieces of technology scattered across compartments. We are venturing into terrains where central connectivity platforms are not the exception but the standard. Guided by the insights of Martin Shaw, an expert, and Head of On-Train Digitalisation for Icomera, we chart today’s ambitious course toward the digital train – an entity that encourages not only modern conveniences but marks a significant leap in transport technology.
Two years ago, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorised the investment of more than one trillion dollars in federal spending on transportation, broadband access, clean water and electrical grid improvements. The transportation industry is now seeing the effects of that funding first-hand: across the country, rail operators are upgrading their infrastructure and purchasing new vehicles that will carry passengers for the next two decades or more. Our country’s passenger rail network has never before seen such a comprehensive upgrade to its vehicles and technologies.
This is a make-or-break moment for rail travel in the US. While the COVID-19 pandemic led to a sudden drop in ridership for rail operators, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) reported that overall ridership has recovered to 79 percent of pre-pandemic levels in April 2024. A widespread upgrade of the passenger experience could lead not only to a return of pre-COVID levels, but also a sustained period of growth as customers recognise the advantages of commuting and travelling by train.
