TTC riders have spoken. Market research shows that:

•    59% of Toronto’s TTC riders want cellphone service in the subway
•    24% are indifferent
•    17% are opposed to the idea saying that they would find it noisy and intrusive

It is estimated that it will cost approximately $30 million to provide cellphone service in the subway. However it is more than likely that the cellphone carriers will pay for the installation. The TTC is now dealing with the technical issues and hopes to have a plan in place within 6 months. The challenge seems to be in wiring the tunnels where work only takes place during a 3-hour period in the middle of the night. Installation could take 2 to 3 years.

We are not reinventing the wheel. The technology already exists in many transit systems around the world. There are many benefits to having cellphone service in the subway that don’t include making mindless chatter and disrupting all of those unfortunate enough to have no choice but to listen to your inane conversation. You will be able to:

•    subscribe to e-mail alerts about subway interruptions
•    phone home or your office if you’re going to be late for work because of a TTC delay
•    contact a babysitter, daycare or school if you are delayed
•    deal with time sensitive issues
•    be reachable in the event of an emergency

The problem is that most likely TTC subway commuters will be inundated with the constant ringing of cellphones and incessant mindless chatter. Is this going to bring about a whole new category of subway rage?