The Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) is providing a mobile Wi-Fi bus to allow students to connect to the internet while schools are closed, and online learning is put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new normal requires not only a computer but also internet connectivity – something not all households have, especially in rural areas of Monterey County. The school district in the city of Greenfield mobilized to provide computers to students; however, access to Wi-Fi was identified as a barrier to students being able to connect to, and participate with, their virtual classroom and classmates.
MST says the city of Greenfield determined that for students and schools to be successful with distance learning, finding a way to provide internet access to everyone was crucial. City of Greenfield Councilwoman and MST Board member Yanely Martinez contacted MST to request support in the form of an MST mobile Wi-Fi bus that would allow students to connect to the internet.
With reduced ridership and fewer routes currently in operation, MST is currently able to redirect and utilize its available workforce and resources to provide a bus that can support this need. The opportunity to avoid driver cutbacks while helping local students learn just makes sense.
“The decision to use MST resources to support students and help our neighbors in Greenfield to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas was simple,” said General Manager and CEO Carl Sedoryk. “MST is in this to win this. Together with our community and during this crisis, we will deploy our resources where they can achieve the most community benefit.”
Requests for MST Wi-Fi enabled buses need to be submitted through the Monterey County Office of Education, Department of General Services and Business Support for consideration.
