New York City replaces public buses with high-tech models with Wi-Fi and USB charging ports

The city announced Tuesday that over 2,000 high-tech buses will start replacing MTA buses in April. That accounts for about 40% of the total bus fleet in New York City, and will be completed in five years

According to the city, the buses will have built-in free Wi-Fi, USB ports to charge devices, and LCD screens to display information, Mashable reports.

Each bus will have 35-55 USB ports located throughout, depending on the bus’s size. The digital screens will inform riders about upcoming stops, stops that have transfers, the weather and other information.

The MTA is also upgrading current buses to have Wi-Fi and USB ports, which it plans to complete for all express buses by the end of next year.

This move to integrate more technology with public transportation buses in NYC follows the start of Wi-Fi coming to subway stations throughout the city via Transit Wireless. The free subway Wi-Fi is planned to hit every subway station by the end of this year.

“Internet access has become a necessity, not a privilege — and from charging ports to Wi-Fi, this new MTA fleet will provide critical tech services that New Yorkers depend on each day,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in the announcement.