CALGARY, ALBERTA and VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug. 11, 2016) - Shaw Communications Inc. (TSX:SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR) and TransLink today announced the next phase in their partnership by providing free WiFi connectivity to the thousands of passengers who travel between Downtown Vancouver and the North Shore each day on the SeaBus. This latest development will give customers the ability to text, tweet and email during their commute without incurring costly cellular data charges.
"Until now, commuters have been able to enjoy complimentary access at both terminals," said Greg Pultz, Vice-President, Operations, Shaw Communications. "As of today, anyone and everyone who wants it has access to fast WiFi from the moment they enter the ferry terminal to the moment they leave the destination terminal."
Usage data at the Waterfront and Lonsdale Quay terminals shows that when commuters say they want WiFi, they mean it. From launch in December 2015 until the end of July 2016, SeaBus commuters have used over one million megabytes of data on the ShawGuest network alone.
"Customers have told us that access to a fast and reliable WiFi connection is important to them and we are excited to see this service available on all of our SeaBus vessels and at terminals," said Derrick Cheung, Vice-President Strategic Sourcing and Real Estate, TransLink. "Providing enhanced safety, security and convenience for customers and our operators is made possible through our collaboration with Shaw and comes at no cost to taxpayers."
Passengers who are not Shaw customers can access Shaw Go WiFi by selecting 'ShawGuest' from the list of available WiFi networks. Shaw Internet subscribers will automatically connect if they've used Shaw Go WiFi before.
Owned by TransLink and operated by Coast Mountain Bus Company, SeaBus forms an important part of Metro Vancouver's integrated regional transportation network. The SeaBus crosses Burrard Inlet to connect Vancouver and North Vancouver and ferries nearly six million passengers each year.
With more than 80,000 hotspots, Shaw Go WiFi is Canada's largest WiFi network and can be accessed across Western Canada. A full list of locations is available at www.shaw.ca/wifi or by downloading the Shaw Go WiFi Finder App.
About Shaw Communications
Shaw is an enhanced connectivity provider. Shaw serves consumers with broadband Internet, WiFi, video, digital phone and, through WIND Mobile, wireless services. Shaw Business Network Services provides business customers with Internet, data, WiFi, telephony, video and fleet tracking services. Shaw Business Infrastructure Services provides enterprises colocation, cloud and managed services through ViaWest. Shaw is traded on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges and is included in the S&P/TSX 60 Index (TSX:SJR.B)(NYSE:SJR). For more information, please visit www.shaw.ca .
About TransLink
TransLink is Metro Vancouver's regional transportation authority that manages bus, SkyTrain, West Coast Express, SeaBus, HandyDART and cycling routes as well as the major road network and five bridges.
