Image provided by Intersection.
The MBTA, which operates bus and subway stations in the Boston area, has installed its first interactive information kiosk, part of a street furniture network across the region, according to a press release.
«We’re very excited to bring this creative and interactive technology to riders, especially real-time information displays to our bus riders,» MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said in the press release. «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 program, the MBTA and Intersection are looking to expand access to real-time information at bus stops and provide 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 network will be funded by advertising revenue and will provide local businesses and brands with an opportunity to advertise throughout the Boston metro region.
More kiosks will launch across the region in the coming months with bus shelters arriving in 2023.
The 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.