But you’ll have to pay for access.

Wireless Internet service on the Washington State Ferries will expand and improve, leading to enhancement of existing services and installation on new routes by the end of the year.

WSF has entered into an agreement with Parsons Transportation Group, which has also landed the contract to provide service to highway rest stops.

“This is both a quality of life and work environment issue,” said Parsons Vice President Bob Davis. “With this in place, commuters can be productive for two to three hours per day that they normally would not be able to work.”

Mobilisa of Port Townsend began the service in 2005 on three WSF routes, offering it for free to travelers on the passenger decks and in some of the waiting areas.

Parsons will charge for access after it takes over the system. Pricing has not yet been determined, but it will be offered in daily and monthly increments.

Davis said the cost will be competitive with standard wireless hot spots, with no premium charged as in airports.

The new service will expand coverage to the car decks and expand holding area coverage to a greater parking lot area.

Mobilisa initially committed to providing the service for 90 days. When the request for proposal was delayed several times and then bundled with rest stop coverage, the company continued its “experiment.”

While service quality has been consistent throughout, users could not make demands or expect certain features. That, according to WSF Supervisor of Infrastructure Services John Daane, will soon change.

“You get what you pay for,” Daane said. “When it’s free, there’s no expectation of service and you can’t complain. If you pay for something, then you can rely on it.”

Davis promises “a more robust service with a better broadband experience.”

Parsons is currently retrofitting boats, first on the Kingston-Edmonds and Bainbridge Island-Seattle routes.

The Parsons contract runs for five years with two possible one year extensions. Under the agreement, Parsons will purchase, install and maintain all equipment while allocating WSF a percentage of the profits.