MBTA launches PSA campaign using full-motion GIFs
These PSAs aim to promote rider etiquette and safety awareness in a new, engaging way.

MBTA's new PSA campaign, which features GIF imagery, aims to promote rider etiquette and safety awareness in a new, engaging way. Photo: Outfront Media Inc.

MBTA's new PSA campaign, which features GIF imagery, aims to promote rider etiquette and safety awareness in a new, engaging way. Photo: Outfront Media Inc.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launched a new public service announcement campaign, which use GIFs to display key messaging to riders in a friendly and easy to understand way.
Using GIPHY, the world’s first and largest GIF search engine, Outfront Media, the developer of the campaign, will be integrating full-motion GIFs on its ON Smart Media Liveboard technology in Boston’s commuter rail system. These PSAs aim to promote rider etiquette and safety awareness in a new, engaging way.
This deployment follows news that Outfront Media was awarded advertising rights by the MBTA in January 2017. This gives the media company rights to publish advertising within properties spanning subways and bus sides to display dynamic wayfinding and other information to passengers, in addition to news and other engaging content.
Launching in Copley Station and subsequently rolling out on all Liveboard displays installed throughout MBTA, the campaign is set to run throughout the rest of 2017 and 2018.
Leveraging GIPHY’s massive database of GIFs, Outfront deploys the PSAs programmatically through an on-screen Android application via the GIPHY API.
For the MBTA this is one way to earn rider’s attention as they promote these important messages.
More Management

METRO Opens Submissions for 2026 Motorcoach Awards
Nominations are now being accepted for METRO Magazine’s Operator of the Year and Innovative Operator of the Year awards.
Read More →
New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
Transit Agencies Highlight Safety Gains at National Summit
Leaders from 15 major transit systems shared crime-reduction results and safety initiatives while discussing the role of continued federal support.
Read More →
NITA Names New Leadership, Expands Reduced-Fare Program at First Board Meeting
The new regional transit authority appointed its first board chair and interim executive director while extending reduced fares across CTA, Metra, and Pace for eligible riders.
Read More →
Beyond the Checklist: A Structured Approach to Transit Maintenance
Reliability-Centered Maintenance helps transit agencies move beyond routine checklists to focus limited resources on the assets and failures that have the greatest impact on safety, reliability, and service.
Read More →
APTA 2026 Nominating Committee Selects Leadership Slate, Names Chair and Vice Chair Nominees
Leadership changes will help shape the association’s priorities and its representation of the transportation industry during the 2026–2027 term.
Read More →
DART Launches Major Security, Fare Enforcement Initiative
The 90-day demonstration will deploy coordinated security teams at five light rail stations while testing controlled access and gathering data to guide future investments.
Read More →Advancing Fare Collection Through Technology and Innovation
Learn about delivering 1300 gates at 91 stations while managing fare evasion. Explore the large scale deployment, solution customization and real-world results that affect the region. Prepare for deployment in your region now.
Read More →
Game Day in Motion: Moving Millions During the 2026 World Cup
Between packed transit stations and team motorcoaches, see how agencies and operators across North America tackled the transportation demands of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Read More →
Surface Transportation Extension Averts Shutdown, Leaves Transit Funding Gap
The stopgap keeps federal transportation programs moving, but missing advance funding could complicate the transit and rail projects agencies are planning next.
Read More →
