New digital MTA screens will make your NYC bus journey way easier
The touch-screen devices were installed at four locations citywide on June 25 as part of a year-long pilot program aimed at making bus travel smarter and less stressful. On the Upper West Side, you'll find them at West 80th Street and Columbus Avenue and again between 74th and 75th on Columbus. In Queens, two additional screens are being tested in the low-key but lovely neighborhood of Queensborough Hill.
The signs, created by Urban Solar, are battery-powered and pole-mounted. They show accurate, minute-by-minute wait times for upcoming buses—in this case, lines like the M7, M11 and crosstown M79. They're part of the 2024 Transit Tech Lab Challenge and represent a next-gen upgrade from the audio-based real-time updates currently available at more than 500 city bus stops.
'Providing bus riders with real-time information on bus time arrival is a powerful tool that will help New Yorkers to better manage their commutes,' a DOT spokesperson said in a statement. Translation: You'll know exactly when to hustle or grab a coffee instead.
Two different screen types are being tested and the DOT is actively collecting rider feedback via user surveys over the next 12 months. Depending on how riders respond (and whether the tech holds up in winter), we may see more of these digital helpers across all boroughs in the future.
So next time you're standing on a steamy corner wondering if the M79 is ghosting you again, just look up—you might be standing next to your new favorite screen.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
4 days ago
- Time Out
More than 100 NYC subway stations will get new platform barriers by the year's end, says MTA
If you've noticed sleek new barriers popping up on some subway platforms, you're not imagining things—and they're about to get a whole lot more common. The MTA is barreling ahead with plans to install protective platform edge barriers at more than 100 stations by the end of 2025, part of a broader safety upgrade that includes brighter LED lighting and a sprawling security camera rollout. So far, 56 stations have received the new guardrails, and the MTA says it's on track to double that figure before the year's out. These partial-height barriers are designed to prevent riders from accidentally falling (or being pushed) onto the tracks—a concern voiced by 59-percent of recent survey respondents and a whopping 88-percent of seniors. 'We're making investments to ensure that our system not only is safe but—equally important—feels safe to riders,' said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. 'With new platform barriers, MTA's thousands of new security cameras, increased deployments from the NYPD, and 10% less crime before COVID, it's no wonder customer satisfaction has risen dramatically this year.' Governor Kathy Hochul, who first announced the initiative in her 2025 State of the State address, said safety will 'always be [her] number one priority.' In addition to the barriers, 342 stations have already been upgraded with new LED lights, with the rest scheduled by year's end. The MTA is leaning on its own in-house labor to manufacture and install the barriers—cutting costs and speeding up the rollout. Eligible stations were selected based on ridership, layout feasibility, and the presence of island platforms, with focus on the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M and L lines. You can already spot barriers at spots like Wall Street, Grand Central (7), Clark Street, Astor Place, Bedford Avenue and Flushing–Main Street. Want to see if your station made the list? You can check here. Assemblymember Alex Bores called the barriers 'lifesaving tools,' noting they make people feel safer—and feeling safer encourages more riders to use the system, which in turn makes it safer overall. It's a virtuous cycle, sealed with steel and Plexiglas.
Time Out
17-07-2025
- Time Out
New digital MTA screens will make your NYC bus journey way easier
Waiting for the bus just got less of a guessing game, at least if you're on the Upper West Side or in Queensborough Hill. The MTA and NYC Department of Transportation have rolled out slick new digital screens that display real-time arrival info right at the bus stop. That's right: No phone, no app, no spinning wheel of death while you wait for the M11. The touch-screen devices were installed at four locations citywide on June 25 as part of a year-long pilot program aimed at making bus travel smarter and less stressful. On the Upper West Side, you'll find them at West 80th Street and Columbus Avenue and again between 74th and 75th on Columbus. In Queens, two additional screens are being tested in the low-key but lovely neighborhood of Queensborough Hill. The signs, created by Urban Solar, are battery-powered and pole-mounted. They show accurate, minute-by-minute wait times for upcoming buses—in this case, lines like the M7, M11 and crosstown M79. They're part of the 2024 Transit Tech Lab Challenge and represent a next-gen upgrade from the audio-based real-time updates currently available at more than 500 city bus stops. 'Providing bus riders with real-time information on bus time arrival is a powerful tool that will help New Yorkers to better manage their commutes,' a DOT spokesperson said in a statement. Translation: You'll know exactly when to hustle or grab a coffee instead. Two different screen types are being tested and the DOT is actively collecting rider feedback via user surveys over the next 12 months. Depending on how riders respond (and whether the tech holds up in winter), we may see more of these digital helpers across all boroughs in the future. So next time you're standing on a steamy corner wondering if the M79 is ghosting you again, just look up—you might be standing next to your new favorite screen.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Daily Mail
My Kindle is my ultimate 'desert island' item - and thanks to Prime Day you can snag it at an unbeatable price
Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more What's my secret to surviving my weekly commute on the NYC Subway? Easy. My Kindle Paperwhite. I have lived in New York City for nearly seven years and during that time have moved all across Brooklyn. The only thing that has never changed is my dreaded MTA commutes — and my love for reading. I spend roughly seven hours a week minimum commuting on the MTA with no service, at times, body-to-body congestion, and near constant delays. It almost became unbearable, that is, until I bought my very first Kindle! As an avid reader (who, like most, finds they NEVER have time to read!), my Kindle has quickly become not only my subway escape but my favorite daily accessory. It is rare to find me without it stashed in my purse from office days to late-night drinks with friends. My 45-minute commute into Manhattan was once the bane of my existence, but thanks to my Kindle, I have been able to change my perspective. Now, my commute is one of the best parts of my day because it allows me uninterrupted time to really sit down and enjoy my books. What makes the Kindle Paperwhite so convenient is its endless versatility. Although I am a hardcore hardcopy reader, my Kindle has opened up new ways to indulge in my stories that are more space savvy, affordable, and accessible! I take my Kindle everywhere with me, even outside of the Big Apple. Given its compact, thin design, I have been able to travel with it seamlessly. It fits right in my carry-on, and the self-adjusting screen makes reading on planes hassle-free. Other Kindle readers feel the same, with one saying: 'Whether I'm at the beach, in bed, or on a plane, it is the perfect reading companion. No distractions, just books!' The newest model of the Kindle features unbeatable innovations such as faster performance, glare-free screen use, up to 12 weeks of reading per charge, and adjustable day-to-night lighting. No matter where you are, from the MTA to the beach, your Kindle keeps up seamlessly, and there is no stress about getting the pages wet because this eReader is waterproof! The Kindle Store has millions of books to choose from, from romance to mystery, and everything is at the tips of your fingers (literally). Since purchasing my Kindle, I have been able to read a full book a week, nearly every week, just from using it while on my daily commutes! If you are someone who loves reading, hates the subway, or BOTH — having a Kindle at your side truly is life-changing. I got my Kindle Paperwhite in the adorable Raspberry color, but you can explore it in many others, including the classic black. Make sure to check it out and snag one while it is 22 percent off during Amazon Prime Day. Strapsicle I recently fell in love with this brand on Amazon! Their genius product makes reading on the train a breeze and has eliminated hands cramps for good. They make straps in multiple colors and have various models that fit every Kindle and most other eReader brands as well. Plus, it is currently on sale for only $12 making it a total steal. $12 (was $21) Shop A Court of Thorns and Roses eBook Bundle A recommendation for this reader to another! I am a HUGE Sarah J. Maas fan and own nearly all of her books on my Kindle. ACOTAR is TikTok viral for a reason and to this day remains on of my favorite series. I read he fantasy meets romance must-haves on my Kindle and love how easy is it to access them for a good old fashioned re-read. $33 (was $60.80) Shop Kindle Unlimited If you are like me and become obsessed with your Kindle (which I have a feeling you will!) then Kindle Unlimited is so wroth it. The subscription plan is insanely affordable and gives you access to millions of books for no extra charge! Some of my all-time favorite authors are included in the plan, including TikTok sensation, Lucy Score. The best part is the first 30-days is free to see if you truly are ready to commit. 30 Day Free Trial Shop CoBak Clear Case for All-New Kindle Paperwhite Keep your Kindle looking brand new with this simple (and cheap!) clear case. I have this exact one and it is great for keeping my Kindle clean, avoiding cracks, and it even gives the device better grip. Bonus! If you want to add personality you can place stickers under the case like I did to make your Kindle one of a kind. $6 (was $14) Shop 6-7 Inch Sleeve Carrying Case for 7" Kindle For all the girlies who are looking to read on the go! I have this adorable carrying case for my Kindle because I find when I put it in my black hole of a purse it can get scratched easily. This keeps it safe 24/7 and even has space for the charger, your phone, etc. $15 (was $18.39) Shop
