Papercast® ePaper Signage Improves the Rider Experience in Public Transit

Real-time passenger information is transforming how people navigate public transportation. At the forefront of this transformation are E Ink and Papercast® - two industry leaders whose collaboration is driving a new era of mobility, accessibility, and sustainability.

By combining E Ink’s low-power display technology with Papercast’s transit-optimized hardware, software and cloud management platform, they deliver next-generation ePaper passenger information displays that bring arrival times, service alerts, route changes and wayfinding directly to the bus stop – right when and where riders need them most.

Source: Papercast

Built for Public Transit

E Ink’s bistable display technology provides the foundation for Papercast’s ultra-efficient ePaper displays, but it’s Papercast’s extensive development and engineering that transforms this into a robust, field-proven solution for public transit agencies worldwide.

Designed specifically for outdoor use, Papercast displays offer exceptional visibility in all lighting conditions, even direct sunlight, so passengers can always access clear, timely updates.

Using ultra-low-power display technology, Papercast has engineered hardware and software that enable operation via solar panels or long-life batteries, eliminating the need for trenching, cabling or grid power. The displays are fully wireless and standalone, connecting to a secure central content management system. Installation takes under an hour, even in locations where traditional LED or LCD screens aren’t practical.

Source: Papercast

Papercast’s transit-specific innovations include:

• Precision-optimized hardware for smooth, rapid content rendering
• Advanced cloud-based content management to update displays instantly from anywhere
• Integrated ADA compliant accessibility features including text-to-speech, adjustable font sizes, and high-contrast modes
• Ruggedized design to IP65 standards for all-weather durability

The result is a display platform that can operate in virtually any location, from city centers to remote stops, and in all conditions – from freezing winters to scorching summers.

Proven Efficiency Performance

By combining E Ink’s ultra-low-power capabilities with Papercast’s hardware and software optimization, these displays achieve unmatched energy efficiency:

• 6% less energy consumption
• 8% reduction in carbon emissions
• 8% cost savings compared to traditional LED displays

Recent analysis shows that the Papercast 28” ePaper display is 141x more energy-efficient than a 3-line LED display and 127x more efficient than a 4-line LED.

This level of performance helps agencies modernize passenger information systems while making a significant contribution to cost and carbon savings for cities.

Source: Papercast

Deployment Examples in North America

Since launching in 2016, Papercast has been deployed in over 45 countries worldwide, delivering proven performance across the transport sector and beyond. In the U.S. and Canada, transit agencies are increasingly turning to ePaper for reliable, accessible and sustainable real-time information.

• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA): In a city known for extreme weather, Papercast displays are robust enough to endure freezing winters and hot, humid summers. All displays include ADA accessibility features with text-to-speech audio announcements, adjustable font sizes, and high contrast readability in all lighting.
  
  
• Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA): COTA uses Papercast displays to show multiple types of information in a single unit. This allows agencies to communicate more effectively with riders and keep content relevant. Solar and battery options help reduce operating costs while supporting sustainability goals.
  
  
• Los Angeles Metro: After a competitive pilot, LA Metro selected Papercast to support its NextGen 204 bus corridor along Vermont Avenue. With nearly 200 million annual riders across 88 cities, this deployment ensures real-time information is available where it’s needed. The goal is to improve speed, reliability, and accessibility across the network.
  

Shaping Smarter, More Sustainable Cities

The collaboration between E Ink and Papercast is setting a new standard for digital signage in public transportation. By combining energy efficiency, accessibility and real-time information delivery in a durable, easy-to-deploy format, ePaper displays are becoming an essential tool for transit agencies worldwide.

For cities striving to improve mobility, reduce carbon emissions and create more connected urban environments, Papercast’s ePaper displays offer a smarter, more sustainable choice, at the bus stop and beyond.