Green Line's First Countdown Signs Go Live in Newton

BOSTON – April 24, 2015 – Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack today announced that the Green Line’s first countdown signs have been activated at Newton Centre and Newton Highlands Stations on the D branch.

“These signs provide customers with additional information that they haven’t had before, making customers’ commutes more predictable,” said Secretary Pollack.

This prediction information also available in the MBTA’s real-time data feed, so phone and computer apps can show it to customers before they arrive at a station. “The developers have been great partners in getting information out to our customers,” said Secretary Pollack. “Many of the apps have included Green Line train locations since we released them in October, and now we are able to provide predictions as well.”

Following Newton Centre and Newton Highlands, countdown signs will be activated along other D Branch stations over the next few weeks.

MBTA Interim General Manager Frank DePaola said the MBTA is currently working to install equipment that will track the trains in the subway tunnel as well. “We anticipate bringing countdowns to the first Green Line subway stations this summer,” said GM DePaola.

In October 2014, the MBTA released data on where Green Line trains are above ground into the T’s real-time information feed. This marked the first time in the 108-year history of the Green Line that customers were able to see where the next trolley is located.

Over the last few years, the MBTA has made significant progress in providing real-time information to its customers, including real-time service alerts, locations and predictions for buses and heavy rail trains, and now, the MBTA has started the process of rolling out predictions for Green Line trains.

The Green Line is the busiest Light Rail line in the country, with 225,000 daily passenger trips. Launching countdowns is the first step in a series of improvements to the Green Line, which includes signal priority at intersections along Commonwealth Avenue and Beacon Street, refurbishment of the older trolley cars, and a completely rebuilt Government Center Station.

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