You’ll Soon Be Able to Use Your Cell Phone on PATCO Underground

The catch? At first, only Verizon customers will be able to use their cell phones in PATCO tunnels and underground stations.

PATCO Speedline riders will soon be able to use their cell phones underground, following the installation of cellular transmission equipment in PATCO’s tunnels. There is a catch, however: Only Verizon customers will be able to use their cell phones at first.

The rollout of the service is expected to take place in October or November. A PATCO official said other cellular carriers may be able to use the network eventually. The first four stations that will have cellular equipment installed will be the four in Philadelphia.

Verizon will pay PATCO $299,610 for usage of the cellular equipment. They have a five year contract with several one-year extension possibilities.

SEPTA added AT&T cell phone service on the Broad Street Line in 2009. And, um, my Verizon phone works on the El from 8th to 2nd.

[Inquirer]