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5/31/2019
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) earlier this week announced it installed a new digital communications and advertising network on the Blue Line's southern portion.
The communication network includes interactive touch screens, which allow riders to view train and bus arrival times, service alerts and system maps.
As part of “New Blue” rail improvement initiative, the Long Beach and Compton stations were the first of potentially hundreds of stations to have the digital screens installed, according to a LA Metro press release.
Once systemwide installation is completed in 2024, the digital communication network will enable LA Metro to target information and message systemwide, by line, by station or by individual screen.
Intersection, the smart cities technology company and developer of the IxNTouch information screens used by LA Metro, has committed to investing nearly $20 million in digital equipment on the rail system at no cost to the agency.
The infrastructure upgrade will be paid for by advertising revenue.
In January 2018, LA Metro awarded Intersection a 10-year license to sell and display advertising on the rail system. The contract was expected to save LA Metro about $30 million over contract's life by securing free advertising space without the need for LA Metro to incur printing, production or installation costs for the agency’s own ads.
In a new contract with Intersection, the addition of the information screens will generate $42.9 million on the Metro Rail system over the next 10 years.