Milwaukee streetcar kiosks beginning to pop up around city

Pandemic delayed installation of informational, navigational ‘CityPosts’

Three digital kiosks at Milwaukee streetcar stops were installed the week of March 29 with plans to eventually expand to 35 total.

The first three were installed at stops at the Intermodal Station, Burns Commons on the lower east side and Cathedral Square, according to the Department of Public Works.

Twelve more will be installed in the next phase, all on streetcar stops with the exception of East Ogden Avenue at North Astor Street eastbound and East St. Paul Avenue at North Plankinton Avenue westbound, where the stops were too small.

The long-term plan is to install others in high-traffic areas downtown to integrate the streetcar route and downtown destinations, according to DPW.

The coronavirus pandemic’s impacts on the advertising industry in addition to safety concerns around the touch screens delayed plans to install the 35 kiosks called “CityPosts” a year ago.

The touch screens on the three initial kiosks have been temporarily disabled. Riders will be able to see real-time arrival information and can use smartphones to access the CityPost app.

The 55-inch touch screens were to include content in multiple languages to help riders navigate the city and local transportation system, in addition to finding information such as community calendars and business directories, the city said last year.

They were expected to generate $300,000 to $500,000 in annual advertising revenue to support the operations of the city’s streetcar, which remains free. The kiosks have the capability to charge a fare, but the city does not have immediate plans to start charging.

The two-sided kiosks from Smart City Media will be on streetcar platforms or near the route that runs in a loop through eastern downtown to the edge of the Historic Third Ward.

The touch screens on the three initial kiosks have been temporarily disabled. Riders will be able to see real-time arrival information and can use smartphones to access the CityPost app.

MIKE DE SISTI / MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL A two-sided kiosk is seen at a Milwaukee streetcar platform at the intersection of Ogden and Prospect in Milwaukee. The kiosks have 55-inch interactive touch screens that will feature content in multiple languages to help users navigate the transit system and the city.