FAQs
Local-bus routes are designated by a letter followed by a number. Routes with an "M" prefix operate mainly in Manhattan. "B" is for Brooklyn, "Bx" for the Bronx, "Q" for Queens and "S" for Staten Island. Routes with an "X" prefix are express routes.
What is the longest NYC bus route? ›
And the longest local bus route is the S78 on Staten Island at 19.7 miles. It runs entirely on Staten Island from the Ferry Terminal to the Bricktown Mall. The busiest route is the M15/SBS which runs in Manhattan from 125th St in Harlem to the Staten Island Ferry Terminal at the Battery.
Is there an express bus from Queens to Manhattan? ›
The QM1, QM5, QM6, QM7, QM8, QM31, QM35, and QM36 bus routes constitute a public transit line in New York City, operating express between Northeast Queens and Midtown or Downtown Manhattan.
What times do NYC buses run? ›
The City's rail and bus system is run by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and known as MTA New York City Transit. It's inexpensive, environmentally friendly and a great way to see sights throughout the five boroughs—and it operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
How do you read on a bus? ›
Sit down low in your seat. Hold the book to your eye level and begin reading. Keep your line of sight toward the book at the same level as your line of sight out of the window. Looking downward while your side vision registers movement from outside the window causes symptoms of motion sickness.
How does the bus numbering system work? ›
The oldest routes have the lowest numbers. The only aspect of nomenclature is that predominantly east-west routes have odd numbers while predominantly north-south ones have even numbers. Express routes are three digit, 100, 101, 103, etc.
What is the slowest bus in NYC? ›
According to a press release, the M102 bus boasts the slowest speed out of the 77 high-ridership bus routes taken into consideration—the 4.6 miles per hour average actually makes the vehicle “slower than a fluttering butterfly, which typically has a pace of 5 miles per hour.”
What is the most used bus in NYC? ›
Originally a streetcar line along Second Avenue, it is now the M15 bus route, the busiest bus route in the city and United States, carrying 16.4 million riders annually.
How much does NYC bus cost? ›
Subways and buses
Fare for most riders on subways and local, limited, and Select Bus Service buses: $2.90. Express buses cost $7. Tap to pay your fare with your contactless credit/debit card, smartphone, or OMNY card, or pay with a MetroCard.
How much is a taxi from Queens to Manhattan? ›
The fastest way to get from Queens to Manhattan is to taxi which takes 21 min and costs $65 - $85. Is there a direct bus between Queens and Manhattan? Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Cross Bay Blvd/Rockaway Blvd and arriving at 6 Av/W 57 St. Services depart hourly, and operate Monday to Saturday.
The best way to get from Queens to New York without a car is to subway which takes 35 min and costs $1 - $3. How long does it take to get from Queens to New York? The subway from Rockaway Blvd to W 4 St-Wash Sq takes 35 min including transfers and departs every 10 minutes.
How much is the Queens Manhattan bus? ›
Many parts of southeast and northeast Queens are not near subway trains and depend on express bus service to commute to Midtown. The express bus fare is $7.
Can I pay cash on a NYC bus? ›
Tickets - How Much A Bus Ride Costs in NYC
If by chance, you find yourself without an MTA card on you, you can still pay the Bus single-ride fare ($2.75) aboard the bus, but make sure you have coins with you, no banknotes are accepted, only exact change and no pennies!
What is the cheapest way to get around NYC? ›
You can use public transportation to avoid the hefty cab prices. Take the JFK's AirTrain, their public transit line to connect with New York City's subways, buses, and rails. Public transportation is the most affordable way to get to downtown, and may be the fastest with traffic.
Do NYC buses stop at every stop? ›
If a bus has a sign that says "Limited", it stops at every stop on the "Limited Route". If its not a Limited, it stops every two blocks or so ( at least in Manhattan). If it has an X, its an Express Bus;they are extra fares and usually make very few stops and not likely anyplace a tourist would go..
What do the bus numbers mean NYC? ›
The Buses are named with a letter and a number. The letter represents the primary borough where the bus travels. So the M5 is the Manhattan #5, the Q70 is the Queens #70, B = Brooklyn, Bx = Bronx, S = Staten Island.
Why do NYC buses have numbers on top? ›
From an overhead vantage point, for example a depot building, a bus driver can easily discern which vehicle to use, and the best way to access it. The numbers are used for transit workers to keep them all in some type of order when parked in the depot.
How do I know if my bus is express NYC? ›
Select Bus Service (SBS) buses, which make fewer stops, travel on priority routes, and board at all doors. Limited (LTD) buses, which look like local buses but make fewer stops. Look for "LTD" on the front of the bus, and purple signage at bus stops. Express buses, which look like coach buses and run between boroughs.
What is the difference between M15 and m15sbs? ›
M15. The M15 Limited became the M15 SBS on October 10, 2010, which replaced limited stop service with SBS on this line. Unlike the former Limited, the M15 SBS makes limited stops south of Houston St, and only runs between 126 Street and South Ferry. St Mark's Place and East 72nd Street were also eliminated.