VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – You can now call 9-1-1 from within the depths of the Dunsmuir SkyTrain Tunnel, which has been a cell phone dead zone until now.

NEWS 1130‘s parent company Rogers has turned on wireless service between Stadium and Waterfront stations on the Expo/Millenium Line.

Rogers Vice President of Sales in BC Gord Nelson explains the decision:

“People expect to be able to use their phones wherever they are, which is why we are investing to make sure our network is on for our customers wherever their day takes them. Now Rogers and Fido customers can use their mobile phones exactly the same way when they are in the Dunsmuir Tunnel as they do above ground.”

While day-to-day cell phone service is reserved for Rogers and Fido customers, Nelson says 9-1-1 service is different.

“Emergency services, 9-1-1, is obviously very important … there’s been a number of situations that TransLink has had to deal with, and I think this is hopefully going to help them, and help all of our customers feel a little bit safer when they’re on [transit], and if there is an issue or a problem, that they can reach out and call and get help as required.”

Rogers is in talks to add the other wireless carriers onto the service as well. The company intends to “light up” all the SkyTrain tunnels in the region including the Evergreen Line tunnel.