LA Metro Unveils New Digital Customer Communications and Advertising Network as Part of “New Blue” Improvements

LOS ANGELES — May 29, 2019 — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has partnered with Intersection, a leading smart cities technology and media company, to install a new digital communications and advertising network on the southern portion of the Metro Blue line as part of Metro’s “New Blue” rail line improvements.

Starting today, customers riding the Metro Blue Line between Long Beach and Compton Stations will see new IxNTouch information screens at each station – powered by Intersection’s innovative transit communications platform, IxNConnect. The technology will allow Metro to communicate with customers across a growing network of digital screens and help customers better navigate the agency’s transit system. The interactive touch screens will give riders greater access to train and bus arrival times, service alerts and advisories and system and connections maps, among other digital tools. Once complete, the network will allow Metro to target information and messages systemwide, by line, by station and even individual station screen.

Metro and Intersection will install nearly 100 digital screens by the time the “New Blue” improvements are complete this October, which include significant upgrades to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks and 7th Street/Metro Center Blue Line stations. Hundreds of new customer information screens will be phased in across the entire Metro Rail system, and the Orange Line and Silver Line by 2024. IxNTouch panels will be located on station platforms, mezzanines and plazas, with at least two screens at every station.

“If you’re headed south toward Long Beach on the Metro Blue line, we have great news,” said L.A. County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Sheila Kuehl. “You will be the first Metro riders to benefit from this digital technology. The new system will finally bring train arrival times to digital screens at each Blue Line station and make it much easier for you to make your destinations throughout the expansive Metro Rail system.”

The infrastructure upgrade comes at zero cost to taxpayers or riders because it is paid for by advertising revenues. By delivering useful and relevant information to riders, Intersection’s media assets are highly noticed and offer national and local brands the opportunity to engage consumers across L.A. County. Intersection has committed to investing nearly $20 million in digital equipment on the Metro rail system at no cost to the agency.

“We are thrilled to be a part of Metro’s ambitious efforts to transform transportation across Los Angeles County,” said Scott Goldsmith, President of Cities & Transit at Intersection. “We are excited to launch with the Metro Blue Line and continue our work throughout the Metro system, providing riders with the information they need, while driving revenue for Metro that can be reinvested in the system.”

LA Metro is a part of the rapidly expanding network of cities and transit agencies leveraging Intersection’s renowned smart cities and media solutions. Intersection’s media network extends to the top six U.S. media markets — New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Dallas — in addition to other major regions such as Charlotte, Houston, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and London. Intersection’s network reaches over 50 million people through more than 75,000 digital and static assets nationwide, including Link Wi-Fi kiosks, interactive IxNTouch displays, and IxNSight panels.

“We are moving toward customized information delivered in real-time to riders in the way they want and expect,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “This is just the latest example of our continuing efforts to create a world-class transportation system in Los Angeles County.”