How to Ride the Bus

Bus fare is $2, payable with MetroCard or exact change (no dollar bills). People 65 years or older and people with qualifying disabilities who show proper form of identification (including Reduced-Fare MetroCard or a Medicare card) are eligible for reduced fare.

Where the Bus Stops

Bus stops are located at street corners and have a tall, round sign with a bus emblem and route number. Some stops have bus shelters. Most stops also include a "Guide-A-Ride," which is a rectangular box attached to the bus sign pole that displays a route map and bus schedule.

Boarding the Bus

As the bus pulls up to the stop, be sure to read the destination sign on the front to check that the bus will take you where you want to go. Stay on the curb until your bus stops and the doors open. Some buses "kneel," or tilt down toward the curb, so that you can board more easily.

As you board the bus, hold the MetroCard with the black stripe on the right and the MetroCard name facing you. The farebox is directly in front of you as you board. “Dip" the MetroCard into the farebox. Your fare will be deducted automatically, and the MetroCard will pop back out.

All NYC Transit buses are accessible to customers who use wheelchairs. These customers pay their fare by sending it to NYC Transit in a postage-paid envelope that the bus operator gives them. Certain bus seats are reserved for people who use wheelchairs and must be relinquished upon the bus operator's request. These seats are clearly marked. Although some seats near the front do not have to be given to elderly persons, it's considerate to do so.

For Your Safety

Please keep your feet, packages and personal belongings out of the aisles. Please do not put your personal belongings on a seat that can be occupied, especially when the bus is crowded. When traveling with an infant and a baby stroller, the stroller should be folded before entering the bus and should remain folded for the duration of the trip.

Getting off the Bus

Buses stop about every two or three blocks. Buses marked "Limited" make fewer stops.
Push one of the tape strips located between the windows, one of the “stop” buttons found on grab bars of newer buses, to signal the driver to stop. Try to stay in your seat until the bus stops. Please use the rear door to exit so that other people can board the bus.
Do not stand in the stairwell while the bus is in motion. Once the bus has stopped, you'll see a green light over the rear door to indicate that it can be opened. In some buses, these doors swing open automatically if you press the yellow tape strip on the doors.

Making Connections

If you pay your fare with MetroCard, you may transfer free from bus-to-subway, subway-to-bus or bus-to-bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. Unlimited Ride MetroCard includes all transfers free of charge.

If you pay your fare with coins, you may transfer free between buses with intersecting routes. Ask the bus driver for a transfer when you pay your fare. The transfer is a single-use MetroCard with a black strip along the bottom. When you catch your connecting bus, insert the transfer into the bus farebox - black stripe to the right side. Transfers are good for two hours from the time you paid your fare.

Late Night Request-A-Stop

For your late-night safety and convenience, our Request-A-Stop bus service allows you to request to be let off at a location that is not a bus stop. It is available from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., seven days a week. Simply inform the bus operator where you want to get off. As long as the operator considers the requested stop safe, you will be let off. Otherwise, the bus driver will let you off at the closet safe corner.

Express Buses

NYC Transit operates approximately 30 express bus routes, many of them between Staten Island and Manhattan. Most express buses run on a schedule during weekday rush hours only. The express bus fare is $5. You can pay with Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard, 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard or exact change.

Travel Information for MTA NYC Transit

Call 1-718-330-1234, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. Non-English speaking customers may call 1-718-330-4847 and hearing impaired customers may call 1-718-596-8273 (TTY).