Solar-Powered E Ink Signs
- Contract awarded: May 2023
- Projected completion: Late 2025
- Budget: $3.4 million
- Status: Pilot projects complete; scale-up project in planning & design
Realtime arrival information significantly improves the experience of taking public transit, so we’re working hard to make this information available throughout the MBTA system. However, access to electricity and the fiber network is limited or nonexistent in some areas.
Thanks to solar-powered electronic ink (E Ink) signs, we can now bring realtime information to more stations and stops.
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.
What We're Working On
After conducting multiple pilots to test E Ink technology and gather rider feedback, the MBTA approved a project to scale up the program.
In 2023 and 2024, we began bringing realtime information to most surface-level Green Line stations on the B, C, and E branches and to additional bus stops in communities throughout Greater Boston.
In 2025, we plan to add 52 more signs along the Green Line for a total of 128, and at least 40 more signs to bus stops in the Greater Boston area.
How We Got Here
In 2017, we launched our first pilot to test sign durability and performance, gather customer feedback, and determine whether we could add signs to additional bus and subway stops. We were especially curious to know if the signs could withstand frigid Boston winters.
In 2019, we expanded our pilot testing to include bus stops and to test additional stations on the Green Line where countdown predictions weren’t already available.
Related Projects
This project is one of many we're working on to ensure twice as many passengers have access to a safer, more comfortable, and more reliable Green Line by 2030.
Photo Gallery
E ink sign at Dean Road (December 2024)
E ink sign in front of Saint Mary's Street station (December 2024)
E ink sign next to tracks at Hawes Street (December 2024)
E ink sign showing routing to Heath Street (December 2024)
E ink sign at Boston University East (December 2024)
E ink sign showing route to Cleveland Circle (December 2024)
E ink sign at Coolidge Corner (December 2024)
A diagram measuring the solar path at St. James Ave in Back Bay. We map solar exposure at each potential location to find the spots that get the most sun.
Contact Us
For all questions and comments related to solar-powered E Ink signs, please contact GLT@mbta.com.
Recent Updates
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.
Related Projects
This project is one of many we're working on to ensure twice as many passengers have access to a safer, more comfortable, and more reliable Green Line by 2030.