MBTA to install digital information kiosks and bus shelters with real-time bus, transit info
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) installed its first interactive information kiosk, part of a state-of-the-art, street furniture network across the Greater Boston region.
This is part of an ongoing co-investment between the MBTA and Intersection, an out of home media company, to enhance customer amenities at MBTA bus stops. The network of digital information kiosks and bus shelters will bring the latest technology and real-time transit information to more riders across region.
“We’re very excited to bring this creative and interactive technology to riders, especially real-time information displays to our bus riders,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “Real-time information at bus stops is something our bus riders have long requested and these displays and bus shelters join our growing collection of modern digital enhancements that improve the customer experience.”
Through the Street Furniture Program, the MBTA and Intersection are looking to:
- Expand access to real-time information at bus stops;
- Grow the bus shelter and street furniture network; and
- Provide sustainable maintenance to the street furniture network supported by advertising.
The first kiosk was launched at East Boston’s Maverick station in June and has since empowered transit riders and pedestrians with real-time trip planning tools like subway and bus departure times, service alerts, wayfinding resources and local area information. The expanding network will be funded by advertising revenue and will provide local businesses and large brands with an opportunity to advertise throughout the dynamic Boston metro region. More kiosks will launch across the region in the coming months with bus shelters arriving in 2023.
This deployment is part of a seven-year contract with Intersection, which has the exclusive rights to manage all static and digital advertising for MBTA’s bus shelters and street furniture fleet across the Boston area.
“We are thrilled to partner with the MBTA to provide modern amenities to riders throughout the Boston area,” said Scott Goldsmith, president and COO, Intersection. “The new digital kiosks and bus shelters will not only provide real-time, helpful information but also help drive advertising revenue for MBTA for upgraded maintenance and increased services for riders throughout the kiosk network.”