As part of an ongoing TTC initiative, the Spadina subway extension should be able to support Wi-Fi service in the new stations on the line, including the York University station, as well as cell phone service if carriers can be found.
TTC customers have been demanding Wi-Fi service at stations, and the TTC tested the service for the first time earlier this week at St. George and Yonge-Bloor stations.
Brad Ross, executive director, corporate communications for the TTC, says when the York University station opens, the intent is to have Wi-Fi in that station.
“There might be some work that needs to happen just in advance of that or shortly after the official opening,” says Ross. “But the intent would be to have it in all of our stations, which includes the York University subway extension.”
Wi-Fi will be accessible throughout the station and subway platforms while passengers wait for trains to arrive. However, the TTC at this point has no plans to provide connectivity in trains or tunnels at stations.
“There are a number of daily maintenance activities that belong on the subway when it closes at 1:30 a.m., which have to supercede installing Wi-Fi in the tunnel,” says Ross. He believes students will have enough time to download and upload any material they are sending before the train arrives.
In January, the TTC will decide whether the network is acceptable for all stations.
Shiyabel Andrew, a third-year kinesiology, was pleased with the service after trying it out, but found a problem with the 15-second advertisement that pops up every time users log in.
“By the time you go through the advertisement, the train is coming,” says Andrew.
Others, like Andrew, believe the service isn’t necessary because they do not spend a lot of time at stations.
Keresha Manning, a second-year human resources management and business economics student, thinks passengers would benefit more from having Wi-Fi access while riding the train rather than at platforms.
“You just want to get on the train and get home, that’s the point of [the TTC],” says Manning.
The TTC is also hoping to have cell phone service available for passengers as soon as a cell-phone provider like Bell or Rogers commits to a deal. Until then, the infrastructure will be available for those companies.
“Today, none of the providers have come on board,” says Ross. He says it will come down to negotiations between BAI Canada, the company in charge of the cellular and Wi-Fi networks in the TTC right now, and cell providers.
Ross says for those passengers who do want cellular service at stations and platforms, they should contact their providers and let them know.
“From the TTC’s perspective, we know that this is something our customers would like to have, and we would like them to have that as well,” says Ross.
Victoria Alarcon
AssistAnt news editor
