On Thursday, Harvard Square Station will be the first of four MBTA stations to get digital advertising screens meant to generate revenue for the financially strapped transit system.
The screens will provide a new and cost-effective stream of revenue from advertisers as well as being a modern conduit of service information for customers, according to MassDOT. The digital advertising system is projected to generate “millions of dollars” of new revenue for the MBTA in the coming years.
“We are thrilled to be bringing both information to our customers and revenue to our system in such an innovative way,” Scott said. “The installation of these screens will not only make four of our busiest stations more visually appealing and interesting, but will provide a new outlet of advertising revenue and offer critical updates to our riders right while they are waiting for their trains.”
MBTA customers can expect 44 screens at four high-traffic stations throughout Boston and Cambridge — Park Street Station, North Station and South Station are expected to get the screens by March, according to MassDOT.
Harvard Station will be equipped with three 70-inch “tri-faced” screens in a kiosk in the main atrium, as well as five 55-inch “landscape screens;” one double-sided on the inbound platform and three single-sided across the track on the inbound platform, according to MassDOT.
