Free Wi-Fi rolled out at 2 TTC subway stations

The TTC officially unveiled its free Wi-Fi program at two subway stations on Tuesday, bringing Internet access to Bloor-Yonge and St. George station platforms.

Riders can now use social media, send and receive email and surf the web underground. Calling and texting are not yet available.

“The TTC is committed to enhancing the commuter journey and we promised to customers in our 2013 Customer Charter that two prototype subway stations would see wireless service by the end of this year,” TTC CEO Andy Byford said in a statement.

“We are proud to have met this commitment and delivered this robust, efficient network, and look forward to more announcements going forward.”

The service is ad-supported: users have to watch a 15-second ad before they can log on.

The TConnect network had a soft launch two weeks ago and TTC spokesman Brad Ross told 680News the Wi-Fi has been working well and working quickly since then.

BAI Canada, which is paying $25 million over 20 years for the contract, said in a statement Tuesday that the two stations are Toronto’s busiest. Approximately 25 per cent of TTC subway riders pass through the two stations each weekday.

“The wireless platform will allow transit riders access to real-time information on-the-go, including TTC alerts and updates,” TTC chair Karen Stintz said in a statement.

“We are pleased to offer this service to our riders while generating substantial revenue to the TTC, which will help fund continued service improvements.”

BAI Canada said it hopes to extend the service to all stations.

“We were pleased at the success of the soft launch, and we look forward to expanding the reach of the Wi-Fi and cellular infrastructure throughout the subway system in the future,” BAI Canada’s chief operating officer Ken Ranger said in a statement.

Have you tried out the WiFi service? Did it work for you?

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