M15 Bus & Select Bus Service Manhattan: Stops, Schedule, Transfers & OMNY Guide (2026)
M15 Bus Guide
East Harlem 125 St ↔ South Ferry via First and Second Avenues
Editorial review: October 2026 | Independent NYC route guide | Stops, OMNY, fares and live arrivals
M15 connects East Harlem / 125 St with South Ferry / Lower Manhattan. This guide explains the route corridor, key areas, boarding and payment, transfers, and how to check the current timetable. For live arrivals and the complete stop list, search M15-SBS in MTA Bus Time before travelling.
M15 Essential Information
| Route number | M15 |
| Service type | M15 local and M15 Select Bus Service |
| North / west terminal | East Harlem / 125 St |
| South / east terminal | South Ferry / Lower Manhattan |
| Main corridor | First Avenue northbound and Second Avenue southbound, with Lower Manhattan service |
| Best live source | MTA Bus Time |
M15 route and direction
M15 has local and Select Bus Service patterns. Check the destination sign and the live MTA listing because local and SBS buses do not stop at exactly the same places. Always read the destination sign before boarding, especially when local and limited-stop buses share a corridor.
| Direction | Terminal | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Toward East Harlem / 125 St | East Harlem / 125 St | Confirm the northbound or westbound destination and current stop |
| Toward South Ferry / Lower Manhattan | South Ferry / Lower Manhattan | Confirm the southbound or eastbound destination and current stop |
The MTA timetable and Bus Time listing can change with service updates. Use the live tool for the exact stop sequence, estimated arrivals and active detours.
Key areas and stops
These landmarks help with trip planning but are not a replacement for the official stop list:
- East Harlem and 125 St: a useful planning landmark along the M15 corridor. Confirm the exact stop name and direction in MTA Bus Time.
- Upper East Side: a useful planning landmark along the M15 corridor. Confirm the exact stop name and direction in MTA Bus Time.
- Murray Hill and Midtown East: a useful planning landmark along the M15 corridor. Confirm the exact stop name and direction in MTA Bus Time.
- Lower East Side: a useful planning landmark along the M15 corridor. Confirm the exact stop name and direction in MTA Bus Time.
- South Ferry: a useful planning landmark along the M15 corridor. Confirm the exact stop name and direction in MTA Bus Time.
Stop names may be abbreviated differently across MTA tools. Search by the intersection or stop code when possible, and confirm which side of the road serves your direction.
OMNY, fares and boarding
Use the current MTA fare guidance for the final price, reduced-fare eligibility and transfer rules. The MTA accepts contactless payment with a credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device or OMNY Card. Keep your payment method ready and follow any posted Select Bus Service instructions at the stop.
Before boarding: check whether the service is local, limited or SBS, select the correct direction, and follow the payment or proof-of-payment instructions displayed by the MTA.
For current pricing, see the MTA fares and tolls page. At the time of this editorial review, the MTA lists $3 for most local, limited and Select Bus Service buses; the official fare page is the final source.
M15 schedule and live arrivals
Open the official MTA M15 schedule for timetable details and use MTA Bus Time for current arrivals. Check the service date, weekday or weekend pattern, holiday notes and any alert before leaving.
- Confirm the direction and destination before selecting an arrival.
- Allow extra time for traffic, weather, construction and major events.
- Recheck the route if you are connecting to a subway, train, appointment or airport service.
Connections and trip planning
For broader New York planning, see the New York City bus guide. You can also compare the M15 guide, Bx12 guide, Q44 guide, B46 guide and S79 guide.
Accessibility and rider tips
Review the MTA accessibility resources if you need accessible boarding, assistance or reduced-fare information. Conditions can change with construction, weather or a temporary detour.
- Search for M15-SBS in the live MTA tool.
- Arrive at the marked stop and verify the destination sign.
- Keep your payment method ready before boarding.
- Check MTA alerts before travelling during severe weather or major events.
- Report outdated information through the BusUpdate corrections page.
M15 FAQs
Where does M15 run?
M15 connects East Harlem / 125 St and South Ferry / Lower Manhattan via First Avenue northbound and Second Avenue southbound, with Lower Manhattan service.
Where can I find the full stop list?
Search M15-SBS in MTA Bus Time for the current stop sequence and estimated arrivals.
How much does M15 cost?
Use the current MTA fares page for the final price. The standard fare listed for most local, limited and SBS buses is subject to official changes.
Can service times change?
Yes. Traffic, weather, construction, special events and planned service changes can affect running time and stops.
Editorial note: BusUpdate is independent and is not operated by the MTA. Route patterns, stop locations, schedules, fares and payment policies can change. Confirm live details with the official operator before departure.
Official route data and verification
| Route / operator | M15 / M15-SBS — MTA New York City Transit |
| Endpoints | East Harlem / 125 St ↔ South Ferry / Lower Manhattan |
| Corridor | 1st Avenue northbound and 2nd Avenue southbound |
| Frequency | Varies by day, direction and local/SBS service; see official timetable |
| Fare and payment | MTA standard bus fare; verify current fare before travel OMNY contactless payment and OMNY Card; follow posted SBS payment/proof-of-payment instructions |
| Official live source | MTA timetable · MTA Bus Time live arrivals |
Last verified: October 5, 2026. MTA schedules, stops, fares and payment rules can change; confirm the official source before travel.