MBTA activates countdown signs at South Station

BOSTON (WHDH) -- The MBTA unveiled signs that inform riders when the next train will arrive.

On Wednesday the MBTA activated the long-awaited countdown signs at South Station, which is the start of a pilot program on the Red Line.

The LED signs will hang above the platforms.

“Really for the first time our customers will no longer have to lean down the platform to look for that bright light…Will be able to now see how long a train will be from getting to the platform at the station,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey. “So we’re very excited…A low-cost way to improve the riders experience and it’s been a long-time coming.”

As of now, the countdown signs are only at South Station for the Red Line. In the coming weeks the signs will be installed at Downtown Crossing and Park Street. The signs will also be added to the remainder of the Red, Orange and Blue line stations by the end of the year.