It was just about a year ago when word first emerged about a plan to expand cell phone service in Metro tunnels to include Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile and Cingular. Reaction was decidedly mixed. On the one hand, Verizon customers have had it too good for too long, smugly lording their coverage superiority over non-Verizon subscribers like that annoying kid from elementary school who always got everything he wanted for Christmas. On the other, the potential for a lot more loud railcar phone conversations didn’t really sound all the appealing. Metro should be quieter, not louder.

But then nothing really happened. No change in service, no word on when or if coverage would begin. The idea had presumably been lost in the revolving door of Metro leadership. But today, WTOP has a somewhat vague story saying that Metro is working toward a plan to upgrade its entire communications system, including cell phone service from other providers and wireless Internet access at station platforms — but still with no timetable given for when the plan would be finished — not exactly an announcement to have confidence in at this point.

Those of you who are chomping at the bit to chat away on your non-Verizon phones in the Metro, and are perhaps understandably frustrated, at the very least have a powerful new ally. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) recently attached a rider to Metro’s dedicated funding bill that would require service for companies other than Verizon in 20 of the busiest stations. The transit agency would face losing $1.5 billion in federal funds under Waxman’s rider.