In late September, we had the opportunity to sneak a peek at the partial list of underground stations that will be receiving cell service in 2012. At the time, Transit Wireless vowed to have this group of stations within the next 12 months, but the finer details remained obscured.
Now, we learn a bit more, courtesy of Ted Mann and The Wall Street Journal. According to Transit Wireless, the firm will wire 30 more stations this year, most in Midtown Manhattan, and the first will come online in late July or early August. The company expects to activate the service in five or six stations at a time.
“Bringing wireless service into our underground subway system reinforces the MTA’s effort to use technology to improve customer convenience that allows them to stay in touch with friends, relatives and business contacts,” MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz, said to Journal. “And by having access to real-time service status updates while underground, riders can better navigate the system.”
With a series of stations in Chelsea currently enjoying service from AT&T and T-Mobile, Transit Wireless is working to sign up Verizon and Sprint as well. So far, fears of the demise of civility underground that preceded the launch of the cell service pilot have been unfounded. As the service expands throughout Manhattan, though, usage will likely grow and grow and grow.
After the jump, the full list of stations set to enjoy cell service before 2012 ends.
W. 96th Street & Broadway (1, 2, 3)
W. 86th Street & Broadway (1)
W. 79th Street & Broadway (1)
W. 72nd Street & Broadway (1, 2, 3)
W. 66th Street & Broadway (1)
Columbus Circle, W. 59th Street & Broadway (1, A, B, C, D)
W. 50th Street & Broadway (1)
Times Square, W. 42nd Street & Broadway (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, S)
7th Ave. & W. 28th Street (1)
7th Ave. & W. 23rd Street (1)
7th Ave. & W. 18th Street (1)
West 96th Street & Central Park West (B, C)
West 86th Street & Central Park West (B, C)
West 81st Street & Central Park West (B, C)
West 72nd Street & Central Park West (B, C)
7th Ave. & W. 53rd Street (B, D, E)
8th Ave. & W. 50th Street (C, E)
Rockefeller Center, 6th Ave. and W. 47-50th Streets (B, D, F, M)
Times Square, 8th Ave. & W. 42nd Street (A, C, E)
5th Ave. & W.59th Street (N, Q, R)
7th Ave. & W. 57th Street (N, Q, R)
7th Ave. & W. 49th Street (N, Q, R)
W. 28th Street & Broadway (N, R)
Madison Square, W. 23rd Street & Broadway (N, R)
6th Ave. & 57th Street (F)
5th Ave. & 53rd Street (E, M)
5 comments
Any plans for Sprint (and Virgin and Boost) or Metro PCS? I guess this is the reason they’re cheaper: not paying companies like Transit Wireless.
Oops, missed the Sprint reference in there.
They could set up a system where each train has a wireless transceiver (smart phone + app + antenna + power supply) that allows the TA to show the train’s location online. It would be great during late nights and evenings.
Or everyone with a smartphone could that subway arrival app that approximates train location by phone signal reception location.
with cell service on the subway,what is going to ensure straphangers that the motorman and conductors arent texting and using cell phones?
this seems to have serious safety risks, not to mention the risks in the passenger compartment
Unless they’re using them on the above-ground portions of their runs now, I don’t think there’s too much to worry about. And if I recall correctly now, it’s an immediate suspension and possible termination from employment.