Toronto transit riders and advocates demanding cell service on the TTC

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Toronto transit riders and advocates demanding cell service on the TTC

BY Breanna Marcelo

March 30, 2023

Transit riders and advocates are speaking out about the dire need of cell service on the TTC. (Courtesy: Vlad Podvorny/flickr)

In the wake of increasing violence on the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), riders and advocates are sounding the alarm for underground cellular service within the transit system.

Following the recent death of 16-year-old teen Gabriel Magalhaes at Keele station, the community is reeling and in search of safety solutions.

“A lot of things happen in the subway that might be inappropriate…There are also people that get into fights. There are people that behave aggressive on the subway, and anything can happen. It can lead to something being more detrimental or more serious,” Indra Campbell told Now Toronto.

“If that happens, if you have a cell phone you’re able to connect with emergency services, 911, the police,” Campbell added.

Campbell works as an employee at not-for-profit and community-based organization COTA health. COTA says its been supporting adults with mental health and cognitive challenges in the community for over 45 years.

“For the sake of safety, I know that there are some buttons but in terms of emergency, you’re not going to go find one right away, so mobiles are the best way in terms of convenience,” Megha Nayak, fellow COTA employee, said.

WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS

Users on Twitter have also shared their thoughts and discontent with the lack of service on TTC.

Shouldn’t one of the key aspects to TTC safety be, I dunno, cell phone service underground???

Also, it’s ludicrous that in order to get wifi I have to disable my Adblock, and I only get wifi when the train stops at a station for 15 seconds and nowhere between the tunnels????
— junliet (@gnshn_rngesus) March 30, 2023

There is no question that adding cell service to the TTC would immediately make riders feel safer.

There are a few reasons why attacks on transit seem to scare people more than attacks on city streets. The sense that you're trapped, unable to call for help, is a big one. https://t.co/TFUOjv9bSX
— Lex Harvey (@lexharvs) March 29, 2023

Agree 100%. There is no excuse. All cellular phones should work on the TTC. ROGERS and BELL and all others STEP UP!
— Tass2Olij (@Tass2Olij) March 27, 2023

REASONS WHY SOME CUSTOMERS HAVE NO SERVICE ON THE TTC

According to The Star, the TTC signed a deal with BAI Communications Inc. in 2012 for cellular network. BAI agreed to pay the TTC $25 million over 20 years to operate and install Wi-Fi and cellular service in the subway system.

In 2015, Freedom Mobile signed a deal with BAI to use the network, however it is unknown how much Freedom agreed to pay BAI.

Until today, only Freedom Mobile customers are able to get service on the TTC, unlike customers who use Rogers, Bell and Telus.

However, Freedom Mobile claims their coverage includes the Line 1 extension and the downtown line between Bloor-Yonge station and St. Patrick station. This is in addition to service at all subway station platforms, mezzanines, and toll booths.

Canada’s three largest telecom companies- Rogers, Bell and Telus-have allegedly refused to pay and use BAI because they would rather use their own provider.

I confess I was unaware that the main reason there is no cell service on the TTC is basically corporate spite.
With the current spate of attacks, seems like low-hanging fruit for the Telcos to grab some easy PR by getting on board and spinning it as a commitment to public safety. https://t.co/FIraL3adZo
— David Fleischer (@Fleischmarket) March 29, 2023

Whoa wait hold the phone.

The TTC HAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE for cell service on the trains, but the telecoms don't want to sign on because they don't want to use a network they don't control?

If ever there was a case to nationalize mobile network infrastructure… https://t.co/BpgdOMw4C0
— Tekno (the) aspiring professional antagonist (@GeneralTekno) March 30, 2023

‘THAT’S NOT ACCEPTABLE’

Former city councillor Ana Bailão, who is running to be mayor in the upcoming spring by-election, supports the need for cell service on the TTC.

“We can’t go into a subway and feel the safety of being able to pick up the phone and text messaging somebody, even to use the text tip line that the TTC created, we have to wait until it comes above line. That’s not acceptable,” she told Now Toronto on Thursday.

If elected mayor, she says she will move city cell phone contracts with Bell, Telus and Rogers to companies that offer reliable mobile service on the TTC.

“We need to make sure that we call these telecoms to come to the table. I’m putting them on notice, this service needs to be part of the solution,” Bailão said.

Anne Marie Aikins, the former head of communications for Metrolinx, also says she will be holding these top telecoms accountable.

I'm sending a message today to my service provider asking why they aren't signing on to provide this important safety measure as a public service & I encourage you to do the same with yours. If nothing else, it would be a great PR move for @RogersMediaPR @BellMediaPR @TELUS https://t.co/bfJutrNupd
— Anne Marie Aikins (@AMAwithAMA) March 29, 2023

For now, subway riders under Canada’s top carriers are still unable to make an emergency call on their own phones and must wait until the train resurfaces above-ground.