New York City Bus Guide: MTA Routes, OMNY, Maps & Live Bus Times (2026)

New York City bus system at a glance

New York City buses serve Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island through New York City Transit and the MTA Bus Company. Routes are identified by borough and service pattern: examples include M routes in Manhattan, B routes in Brooklyn, Q routes in Queens, Bx routes in the Bronx and S routes on Staten Island. Express routes use a different fare from ordinary local service.

A route number by itself is not enough to plan a trip. Check the direction, destination, stop location, service day and any temporary change. A bus may share part of a corridor with another route but stop at different locations or operate on a different schedule.

Official MTA tools for routes and live information

• MTA Bus — official bus information, rider resources and route guidance.
• MTA Bus Time — search routes, stops and estimated arrivals.
• MTA fares and tolls — current subway, local-bus, Select Bus Service and express-bus fares.
• MTA service alerts — planned work, detours, suspensions and other changes.
• MTA accessibility — accessible-trip resources, reduced-fare information and assistance.

New York bus route types

Local buses

Local buses make frequent stops and are useful for neighbourhood trips, subway connections and short cross-town journeys. Look at the destination sign and confirm the stop on MTA Bus Time before boarding.

Limited-stop buses

Limited-stop service skips some stops to reduce travel time. Confirm that your destination is included in the stop list; a limited bus is not automatically interchangeable with the local route serving the same street.

Select Bus Service

Select Bus Service, often shown as SBS, uses a limited-stop pattern and may require payment before boarding at a stop. Follow the signs and instructions at the SBS stop, keep your proof of payment when required, and check the current MTA guidance because boarding procedures can change.

Express buses

Express buses are intended for longer trips between outer-borough areas and major destinations. They use a separate fare category from local, limited and SBS buses. Verify the current express fare and accepted payment method before boarding.

Fares and payment with OMNY

At the time of this editorial review, the MTA lists a $3 fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, rush and Select Bus Service buses, while express buses are listed at $7.25. These amounts can change, so use the official MTA fares page for the current price before travelling.

The MTA lists tap-and-ride payment with a contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or OMNY Card. Check the official fare rules for transfers, fare capping, reduced fares, children, seniors, riders with qualifying disabilities and express-bus requirements. If you are using a physical card or mobile wallet, make sure the payment method is ready before you reach the reader.

Service	What to verify
Local, limited and SBS	Current base fare, transfer rules and whether SBS prepayment applies.
Express bus	Express fare, route direction and accepted OMNY or other payment method.
Reduced fare	Eligibility, application and current requirements through the MTA.

How to plan a New York City bus trip

1. Start with the destination. Search the complete origin and destination in MTA Bus Time or the official MTA trip-planning tools.
2. Choose the direction. Read the destination shown on the route, not only the route number.
3. Confirm the stop. Check the exact stop, the correct side of the street and whether the stop is served by local, limited or SBS service.
4. Check live arrivals. Use MTA Bus Time close to departure and allow extra time for traffic.
5. Review alerts. Look for detours, stop relocations, construction, weather changes and planned service interruptions.
6. Plan the final connection. If you transfer to a subway, commuter railroad or another bus, confirm the walking route and last available connection.

Transfers between buses, subway and rail

Many New York journeys combine a bus with the subway or another bus. The correct transfer depends on the fare product, payment method, route and current MTA rules. Check the transfer information on the official fare page rather than assuming that every bus-to-rail connection is free or valid.

For trips involving the Long Island Rail Road or Metro-North, use the MTA’s separate railroad fare and timetable tools. A commuter-rail ticket and a city-bus fare are not the same product.

Airport and intercity connections

Airport journeys often combine city buses with subway, AirTrain, commuter rail or airport-operated services. Check the airport authority and MTA information together, especially for late-night trips, luggage, accessibility and service changes. For intercity travel, confirm whether the departure is from a bus terminal or a regular city-bus stop.

Accessibility, strollers and reduced-fare help

The MTA provides accessible-travel resources for buses, subway stations and paratransit. If you need an accessible boarding location, a lift or additional assistance, review the MTA accessibility information before travelling and check current service notices. The MTA is also rolling out designated open-stroller areas on local and SBS buses; follow the operator’s instructions and keep aisles clear.

Reduced-fare programs may be available for seniors and riders with qualifying disabilities. Eligibility and application rules are handled by the MTA, so use the official program information rather than a third-party summary.

Riding safely and avoiding common mistakes

• Stand where the operator can see you and wait for the bus to stop fully.
• Check the destination sign before boarding, especially when local and limited routes share a corridor.
• Do not run alongside a moving bus or cross in front of it after getting off.
• Keep payment and proof-of-payment information available when using SBS.
• Allow more time during rain, snow, major events, road work and peak traffic.
• Use the official alert and arrival tools instead of relying on an old screenshot or timetable.

New York City bus FAQs

What is the best way to check a live bus arrival?

Use MTA Bus Time to search the route or stop and view estimated arrivals. Check again before leaving because traffic and service changes can affect the estimate.

Can I pay with a contactless card?

The MTA lists contactless credit or debit cards, smartphones and OMNY Cards as tap-and-ride options. Confirm the current rules and fare products on the MTA fares page.

Is Select Bus Service the same as a local bus?

No. SBS uses a limited-stop pattern and may require payment before boarding at the stop. Follow the posted instructions and verify the route’s current stop list.

Are express buses the same price as local buses?

No. Express buses have a separate fare category. Check the current MTA fare before boarding.

How do I report outdated bus information?

Use the BusUpdate corrections page to report a possible error. For live service problems, contact the MTA through its official channels.

Official sources and editorial note

This guide uses the MTA’s public rider resources for fares, payment, accessibility and service-planning references. BusUpdate is independent and is not operated by the MTA. Timetables, fares, stop patterns and payment policies can change. Confirm the live details with the official operator before departure.

New York route pages

For route-specific planning, see these New York City pages:

• M15 Bus and Select Bus Service
• Bx12 Bus and Select Bus Service
• Q44 Select Bus Service
• B46 Bus Brooklyn
• S79 Select Bus Service Staten Island