MBTA to install digital information kiosks and bus shelters across Greater Boston

Credit: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has announced the installation of its first interactive information kiosk, as part of a state-of-the-art, street furniture network across the Greater Boston region. The network of digital information kiosks and bus shelters will bring the latest technology and real-time transit information to more riders across the 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, MBTA is looking to:

• Expand access to real-time information at bus stops
• Grow the bus shelter and street furniture network
• Provide sustainable maintenance to the street furniture network supported by advertising.

TransLink completes installation of trip-planning touchscreens across transit hubs

The first kiosk had been launched at East Boston’s Maverick station in June 2022, 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.