NYC to Double Number of Bus Stops With Real-Time Arrival Screens

By Y.M. Lowy

NYC plans to double the number of bus stops with digital screens showing real-time arrival information, expanding the service from about 700 stops to roughly 1,400 across all five boroughs.

Work is expected to begin this year, with a longer-term goal of bringing real-time arrival information to 2,900 bus stops by 2030.

The city will work with bus shelter operator JCDecaux to install screens at shelters, while additional digital displays will be placed on bus stop poles. The locations will be selected based on ridership, with upgrades planned across all five boroughs.

The initiative is intended to make waiting for the bus easier by letting riders see when the next bus is expected to arrive, helping them plan their trips and avoid unnecessary waits.

The expansion is part of a broader plan involving the city, Governor Kathy Hochul and the MTA to improve bus service. The Next Stop plan will shorten commutes by up to six minutes across 175 bus routes.

The city will soon seek bids from companies to install the additional screens on bus stop poles.