Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
03/24/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/24/2026 09:33
MBTA Expands Real-Time Transit Information into Community Libraries
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) today shares it is growing partnerships with community libraries as part of the Transit Screens @ Libraries initiative, which brings real-time transit information into local libraries. This initiative is expanding the reach of real-time information beyond stations and vehicles, making it easier for those who use community spaces to plan trips before they travel.
Community meetings and surveys hosted by the MBTA show that riders value accurate and reliable predictions, dedicated sources of real-time information, and clear current-trip details above all else. Transit Screens @ Libraries responds directly to those needs by providing live, location-specific updates in places riders already use every day.
Currently, Transit Screens @ Libraries isdeployed atlibraries across the greater Boston region;Berry Library at Salem State University, Brookline Public Library, Chelsea Public Library, Robbins (Arlington) Public Library, Thayer (Braintree) Public Library, Tufts (Weymouth) Public Library, Turner Free (Randolph) Public Library, Waltham Public Library, and Framingham State Library.
Libraries interested in providing real time MBTA information can learn more about the free initiative here.
"Providing real-time information in places that riders can easily access it helps riders allows the public to make informed decisions, building confidence in using the T and minimize stress," said Interim Secretary and General Manager Phillip Eng. "I've heard directly from the public that they want to know when their train or bus is arriving so they can plan their commute. Our teams listened and created solutions with the support of partners like local libraries. Modernizing the T isn't just about track and fleet improvements, it also means improving and providing clear, accessible communication that helps riders make informed decisions."
"The Teen Advisory Board (TAB) leaders who asked for it were thrilled to see it come together so quickly, and the other teens in our teen room have been uniformly impressed and are very thankful for the screen," said Head of Teen Services at Robbins Library in Arlington Stephen Toropov. "With Arlington as a town basically being built around the 77 busroute, it's a fantastic tool for the students to get around on their own terms. Even other staff members were excited, and our circulation department immediately set up a display of their own at our front desk!"
"The Massachusetts Library System is thrilled to connect local libraries to this unique offering at the MBTA. Libraries have reported that the real time transit screens are appreciated by both patrons and staff that use public transportation," said Executive Director of the Massachusetts Library System Sarah Sogigian. "Community collaboration is essential to serve residents of the Commonwealth, and we're pleased to have helped contribute to this success."
"Framingham State University is delighted to add enhancements for our student, faculty and staff populations, along with the broader community at large, that contribute to their ease-of-access to regional public transit systems," said Associate Vice President of Facilities & Capital Planning at Framingham State University Ryan Hacker. "Our proximity to the MBTA Commuter Rail is linked through the Metro West Regional Transit Authority bus service andprovides a critical connection for users of the Whittemore Library on our Campus to the regional population."
The initiative is powered by open-source software developed by the MBTA's Technology Innovation Department (TID), which began digital signage initiatives in 2019. Libraries can deploy screens in ways that fit their space and budget -- from low-cost Raspberry Pi setups to commercial displays -- making the program both flexible and scalable.
Transit Screens @ Libraries is led in partnership with The Lab @ MassDOT, which supports testing and scaling low-cost, community-centered solutions. The Lab evaluated the first year of the program through observations and qualitative research with library staff, helping refine the model and demonstrate how statewide collaboration can improve public services.
Transit Screens @ Libraries complements the MBTA's broader digital signage efforts, which include installing real-time displays inside and outside rapid transit stations and at bus stops across the system. The MBTA plans to explore expanding this model to universities, museums, town halls, senior centers, and other public buildings.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority published this content on March 24, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 24, 2026 at 15:33 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]