Cascades East Transit now offering free wireless internet on select routes
Connect once and surf the web on all local bus routes within Bend and Redmond – and on the shuttle to Mount Bachelor! Cascades East Transit added free public wireless internet on select routes.
The free wi-fi is made possible after CET upgraded its automatic vehicle locator systems. This technology will enable CET to offer real-time updates on bus arrivals and provide better customer service. Real-time vehicle status is currently available to riders through the Passio GO! app and is expected to roll out to other mobile services later in the year.
“We’re excited about big upgrades coming to Cascades East Transit making it easier and more pleasant to ride. The technology that provides public wi-fi on our buses will also enable us to add real-time signage at key bus stops and provide bigger upgrades in the future,” noted Eric Lint, Program Manager at CET.
Riders will only need to connect once to the “CET WiFi” network and they will remain connected on all supported CET buses. The free service is provided on all fixed-route buses, though rural community connectors outside of Bend and Redmond may experience gaps in service. Internet access is provided via the Verizon cellular network and subject to the same coverage limitations as cell phone service in Central Oregon.
How to connect
Go to the wireless settings on your device. Find and connect to the network named “CET WiFi”
Open an internet browser to accept the terms and conditions
That’s it! You’ll stay connected when you change buses.
Please do not ask bus operators for help connecting to WiFi.
Troubleshooting
Don’t see the CET WiFi network?
If you’re on a fixed-route bus and you don’t see this network, we may be experiencing an outage. Please report it to us as soon as you are able.
The internet is really slow
Typical speeds on this service are around 1Mbps. That’s not the super-fast broadband we’ve gotten used to, but it should be fast enough to stream music or access websites on the go. Let us know if you notice excessive slowness or have problems accessing certain sites.
The service is not available on Dial-A-Ride vehicles
Right now, free wi-fi is only available on fixed-route (regular bus) vehicles. We’ll let folks know as we’re able to upgrade the rest of the Cascades East Transit fleet!
Having trouble connecting?
It’s always good to restart your phone once in a while. Try turning off your phone, then turning it back on again. This often solves the problem.
Make sure your wi-fi is turned on. Visit your phone settings to make sure wi-fi is active.
You may sometimes need to wait until your bus has left the station. All buses have the same network name, so this sometimes causes connection issues when your device attempts to connect to a different bus.
Security warnings or “cannot verify server identity”
As we roll out and test this new service, you may see security warnings when you try to connect. We’re working to fix these issues. If you are comfortable connecting, you may click the prompts to continue anyway and the wi-fi will still work. These messages will mention “captive-portal.peplink.com”
