Now, commuters who use AT&T and T-Mobile won't have to hang up their cell phones when they head down to the subway in Chelsea. A company called Transit Wireless is now providing cell and data service on some underground subway platforms.
"It's good, cause you can't call no one from down here," one commuter said. "It's about time."
For now, the service will only work in the following four stations:
INTERACTION: SHOULD CELL PHONES BE ALLOWED ON SUBWAY PLATFORMS?
Service will not be available in the tunnels.
Despite adding one more place where you'll be trapped listening to someone else's phone calls, the move is being applauded be the Straphangers' Campaign as a plus for riders.
"It'll also bring some revenue to the MTA, which can't hurt," the campaign's Gene Russianoff said.
While negotiations are still ongoing to offer Verizon and Sprint customers the service, those who will soon be able to call, text, email and surf the web while waiting for the train are definitely on board.
"I think that'll be amazing," one commuter said. "If you're having problems and able to do that."
If it's a success, the program is expected to expand to all of New York City's underground platforms by 2016.
