NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced plans to expand cellular coverage to include all 418 track miles of New York City Transit subway tunnels, as well as all 191 above-ground subway tunnels and the 21 stations of the Staten Island Railway.
Cell and wi-fi service is currently available at the subway system’s 281 underground stations through Transit Wireless, a BAI Communcations coverage. The proposed agreement would expand connectivity systemwide, as well as improve the existing system and generate revenue by marketing unused fiber communications capacity to private customers.
“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,” MTA CEO Janno Lieber said in a press release. “And the deal MTA has landed will also help the MTA’s bottom line — a major concern as the pandemic winds down.”
Transit Wireless will build out the infrastructure at a cost expected to exceed $600 million, while the MTA will gain or save an additional $410 million through the increased revenue of the extended agreement with the company and the end of annual payments for additional communications services.
Work on the project will begin immediately and is expected to take 10 years to complete.
How can one have 191 above ground SUBWAY TUNNELS?
That’s a good question. How can you have an above ground subway? (When I was a kid, they called it the El or elevated train,) Maybe they meant above ground stations.