The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recently announced a public-private partnership to provide cell coverage throughout all 418 track miles of subway tunnels, along with an expansion of Wi-Fi service to all 191 above-ground subway and 21 Staten Island Railway stations.

 

Transit customers can currently use cellular and Wi-Fi service at all 281 underground subway stations through Transit Wireless, a BAI communications company. A proposed expansion would transform the subway system into a fully digitally connected transit network that gives riders the ability to use their mobile devices throughout the entire subway system.

 

“Bringing cell connectivity to the tunnels between stations and Wi-Fi to above-ground stations is a major step forward in enhancing transit riders’ experience, and the deal MTA has landed will also help the MTA’s bottom line, a major concern as the pandemic winds down,” said MTA chair and CEO, Janno Lieber.

 

Meanwhile, NYC Transit president, Richard Davey, said New Yorkers lived in a digitally connected world and the MTA serves a City that is always on the go. “Having uninterrupted network connection underground will reimagine how New Yorkers travel by providing the opportunity to take advantage of every minute of their commute with cell service and internet connection, which can also ease any traveling obstacles visitors face when trying to navigate the system,” he said.

 

“We look forward to using the enhanced connectivity to improve the service information we provide for customers,” he added.

 

While, all underground stations currently have cell service and Wi-Fi, the proposed agreement would expand this to provide connectivity in tunnels between stations, and in above-ground stations, according to the MTA. Furthermore, according to agency officials, once live, it will enable Transit Wireless to improve the existing MTA communication system and generate revenue by marketing unused fiber to private customers.

 

MTA officials said Transit Wireless would design, build and operate a neutral-host network that provides every subway tunnel in the system with a wireless communication connection.

 

MTA president of construction and development, Jamie Torres-Springer, said this latest advancement in technology would be coordinated with other work taking place throughout the system, involving fitting out hundreds of miles of tunnels to enable cell service between stations, and supporting MTA operational needs.

 

“We look forward to closing the remaining cellular coverage and data connectivity gaps in our subway system,” he said.

 

In recent years, MTA officials said the agency has made significant strides improving connectivity, which have included partnering with Transit Wireless to bring cell service and Wi-Fi to all underground subway stations in 2017, and in 2020, bringing cellular coverage and data connectivity to the L Train tunnel.

 

The connection between Brooklyn and Manhattan on the L line became the first tunnel in the New York City subway system to have full connectivity for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile customers, MTA officials said.

 

“We are proud to expand our partnership with the MTA and provide NYC’s subway riders with world-class end-to-end internet, data, and cellular communications,” said Transit Wireless CEO, Melinda White. “Expansion of the riders’ connectivity through the tunnels and across the above-ground stations shows MTA’s ongoing commitment to the rider experience.”

 

$1 Billion Benefit to Transit Riders and MTA

Overall, the project is expected to result in over $1 billion, benefiting the MTA and its customers over the life of the agreement in terms of service provided, additional revenue, and cost savings, MTA officials said. Work on the project will begin immediately and will be completed across the network in 10 years, though riders will be able to start using the new services as each section is completed.

 

MTA officials said Transit Wireless will build out the necessary infrastructure, an investment likely to cost over $600 million. They said the  build will leverage the company’s existing infrastructure located throughout the City. As the system is built out, they said the MTA will share in the revenues Transit Wireless receives from cell providers and other commercial customers, adding to the revenue from the station agreement.

 

According to the MTA, in addition, the agency will phase out the payments it currently makes to Transit Wireless for additional communication services, such as leased fiber, real-time train arrival information and Help Points, a communication system that offers immediate access to 911 assistance and information with the touch of a button.

 

According to the MTA, between the increase in revenue from the extension of the agreement with Transit Wireless, and the elimination of annual payments for additional communication services, the MTA will see a combined advantage worth $410 million.

 

In other MTA news, as reported, the MTA’s Bronx Local Bus Network redesign went live on Sunday, June 26, and the 205th Street subway station recently received an industrial-style power wash.

 

Meanwhile, in terms of accessibility, we reported in the context of Disability Pride Month that the MTA had previously confirmed that the following Bronx subway stations were due to be made ADA-compliant as part of its MTA 2020-2024 Capital Plan:

• Wakefield-241 St
• Kingsbridge Rd
• 167 St
• Burnside Av
• 3 Av-138 St
• Van Cortlandt Park-242 St
• Tremont Av
• Parkchester
• E 149 St
• Brook Av
• Mosholu Pkwy

 

However, according to information on the MTA’s website, the list of Bronx stations that are part of the agency’s “accessibility upgrades in progress,” is now shorter, as below:

• E 149 St
• 149 St-Grand Concourse
• Tremont Av
• Westchester Sq-East Tremont Av
• Moshulu Pkwy

 

This is despite the following statement, also posted to the agency’s website: “In 2022, the MTA and accessibility advocates announced an agreement that reaffirms the MTA’s commitment to systemwide accessibility and provides a clear path and timeline to get there. The systemwide accessibility plan builds on the unprecedented investments in the current Capital Plan, and will bring us to a system that is 95% accessible by 2055.”

 

We have reached out the MTA for clarification therefore, and will update this story upon receipt of any feedback. The MTA reminds customers who have a disability that they can apply for a reduced fare Metrocard here.

 

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Aug. 4, as reported, a Bx12 MTA bus crashed into an elevator subway structure and the driver remains critical while 12 passengers received minor injuries. The investigation is still ongoing but MTA officials believe the driver may have suffered a medical episode and this may have triggered the incident.