Posted by unregistered user at 8/28/08 5:11 p.m.

You know, I tried several times to use the rest area wifi, and I was never able to get a decent signal. I wasn't even able to find out that it was going to cost me ~$3 for 15 minutes.

At the times that I wanted to use it, I might have actually paid for it.

Before they decide it was never used, they should figure out if it was actually usable.

Posted by Durg at 8/28/08 5:32 p.m.

They should have just provided it for free (which is what I assumed it would be.) Then I'm sure they would have had many more users.

Oh well, just one more thing the govt can't do right. I wonder how much this screwup cost us.

Posted by gym at 8/28/08 5:54 p.m.

Sounds like the state didn't want to be "outdone" by the city of Seattle and its great potty idea. What the heck.... it's only our tax money.

Posted by Lookitsme at 8/28/08 7:58 p.m.

Oh well, just one more thing the govt can't do right.

Not to get in the way of a good (if pointless) rant against the gummint, but the system was set up, administered, and paid for by a private company....

Posted by unregistered user at 8/28/08 8:19 p.m.

They should have just provided it for free (which is what I assumed it would be.) Then I'm sure they would have had many more users.

By "free," I take it you mean "paid for by someone other than the people who are using it." Sure it would get used, and I'm not going to refuse someone handing me a $5 bill, but neither is sustainable.

Posted by rbob at 8/28/08 11:35 p.m.

$2.95 for 15 minutes? What did they think was going to happen? Backward places like North Dakota, Ohio and Iowa among others have offered it for free for years. That, unregistered user, is the user cost of the restrooms, trash cans, and other amenities that you avail yourself of in those places. It's part of the transportation budget paid for by users, and has proven to be quite sustainable.

Would you prefer that they quit providing TP and left the lights off? Perhaps traffic signals should be fitted with devices that require a small payment before turning green. Compared to TP, Wifi must be horrendously expensive.

Posted by Kraziken at 8/28/08 11:43 p.m.

With most people on the road getting more advanced phones, I think plenty of people have net access thru their cell phones. Why pay for rest stop service?

Most of the time you are in and out in a few minutes and don't have a chance or need to look for wi-fi.

Posted by beth.anderson at 9/3/08 11:07 p.m.

The only time I had to use wifi on a trip was to send in an article while on the road between New Mexico and Illinois. I was extremely grateful for the wi-fi at any price offered there, because I was in a bind, but that was years ago, and wi-fi coverage is a million times better now (and much less expensive). It's a pity they haven't decided to opt for free wi-fi, but I guess I understand that the budget's a little lacking these days:)