Digital Signage

Two riders at Government Center face a two-screen digital sign. At left is a screen showing the Green Line map with a large button that allows users to switch to a Blue Line map. At right is a screen that shows a Blue Line alert saying no trains are running and that shuttles are running instead. Below that is a second alert about other Blue Line closures due to maintenance. — Riders use new digital screens dedicated to service information at Government Center (April 2022)

In 2019, our Technology Innovation Department (TID) began a digital signage program to provide riders with the most accurate real-time transit information available to us. During the community meetings that led to our long-term plan, Focus40, and in customer surveys conducted for the Better Bus Project, our riders told us they wanted more real-time information, and more types of information as well.

To meet those needs, TID has many digital signage projects underway, and an in-house team to design the information we display on all of those screens.

Building a Better T

As part of our $9.6 billion, 5-year capital investment plan, we're renovating stations, modernizing fare collection systems, upgrading services for our buses, subways, and ferries, and improving the accessibility of the entire system.

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What Riders Want from Real-Time Signage

Our initial research made clear to us that riders expect the following:

Accurate, reliable predictions
Dedicated sources of real-time information—in subway stations, they want these to be available before they pay their fare
Current trip information, above all else

A focus on accessibility

An elevator-dependent rider holding a white cane talks to a researcher with a clipboard and another who is holding up an — TID researchers interview riders at stops and stations to discuss accessible signage needs

We’re making our signage as accessible as possible by including including audio-equivalent resources for riders who are blind or have low vision, easy-to-read large text, and consideration of environmental factors, such as viewing distance and lighting.

Download our guidelines for audio- and visual-equivalence on digital signage (PDF, 618 KB)

TID's Digital Signage Projects

We’re installing digital signs inside and outside rapid transit stations, and at bus stops across the MBTA network.

Rapid transit station signage

In 2019, we began piloting solar-powered electronic ink (E Ink) signs at Green Line stops. We’re now scaling up this project to bring E Ink signs to most surface-level stops on the Green Line’s B, C, and E branches.

In 2022, we’ll launch our first customer information displays (CIDs). These side-by-side LCD screens will be dedicated exclusively to real-time information about our subway system and service. Over the next three years, we plan to install CIDs in all our subway stations.

At first, CIDs will display subway alerts about riders’ here-and-now needs, such as delays, disruptions, and out-of-service elevators. Many future uses are under consideration, including these possibilities:

Visualizing service alerts on a digital line map, to make delays and disruptions easier to understand at a glance
Displaying the time when service will end and the last train will leave the station

Our research suggests many more useful features. We welcome all rider input, and are doing research to find out which features riders value most.

A graphic shows a mock-up of a CID designed for MBTA subway stations. It tells which elevators are out currently out of service. Each sign has Elevator Closures at the top. The left sign tells about elevators closed at this station, which ones are out of service, for what amount of time, and why. It also lists alternative shuttle service, and directs riders to call 617-222-2828 for alternate accessible paths. Center and right screens show all elevator closers in the system. — This real-time customer information display (CID) mockup shows which MBTA elevators are currently out of service (March 2022)

Bus stop signage

The Columbus Avenue boarding platforms feature seating, canopies, and important accessibility improvements like large digital panels dedicated to real-time information that also include an audio component. — A digital sign at a new bus shelter on the Columbus Avenue center-running bus lane (November 2021)

The MBTA serves over 7,500 bus stops across more than 50 cities and towns. Most lack access to electricity. In 2022, we’ll double the size of our ongoing E Ink pilot, and work with municipalities that want to use similar signage of their own.

In 2021, we installed new, large-format digital signs along the center-running bus lane on Columbus Avenue, and plan to do the same on future bus lane projects. These screens include speakers that play an audio message every few minutes.

In 2022, we launched our first interactive Information Kiosk at Maverick Station, as part of a street furniture network across the Greater Boston region. Moving forward, we plan to install a network of digital information kiosks and bus shelters to assist trip making and provide real-time transit information to riders supported by advertising revenue.

A rider looks at a digital kiosk sign at Maverick station — Interactive kiosk at Maverick Station

Photo Gallery

A rider boards a bus near the new E Ink sign at the Broadway bus stop in Everett — A blind rider presses a button to generate an audio message from a screen at Government Center (April 2022)

We Want to Hear from You

A rider reads an electronic ink (E Ink) digital sign near North Station. A Green Line trolley passes behind the rider aboveground.

We invite you to give us your suggestions, questions, or complaints about signage at T stops and stations. Please contact MBTA Customer Support, let us know if your comments are related to accessibility, and provide as many details as possible so we can give the most helpful response.