Q&A for How to Ride a Bus in New York City

The location where you pay your fare depends on the type of bus service you are using. You swipe your card ahead of time for Select Bus Service (SBS) express buses, while you swipe on the bus for standard local buses.

You can find express buses at specific bus stops that are clearly marked with blue or green signs and the route number, often featuring an 'X' or a code like BxM, BM, QM, or SIM. The exact stop location will depend on your current location and desired destination in New York City.

Yes, but specific rules are in place to ensure safety and prevent blocking aisles.

The standard base fare for local, limited-stop, and Select Bus Service (SBS) bus routes in New York City is $3.00. For an express bus, you can expect to pay $7.25.

Yes, if you are a tourist aged 65 years or older, you are eligible for the senior citizen discount on NYC buses and subways.

To reach Madison Avenue at 101st Street from the Port Authority Bus Terminal area, you should walk a few avenues east and then take either the M1, M2, M3, or M4 bus.

Yes, you can take a bus for short trips between streets within the Times Square area, but it is almost always faster to walk. Bus routes in Times Square and the surrounding Theater District generally run north/south along major avenues (such as Broadway, 7th Avenue, and 8th Avenue) or east/west on specific cross streets.

To get from Rockefeller Plaza to Ellis Island, you first need to travel to Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, as this is where you catch the official ferry.

The senior fare for a single ride on a local New York City bus or subway is $1.50 (half the full $3.00 fare).

To travel from Grand Central Terminal to Grand Street using the 5th Avenue bus routes (which operate north/south through Midtown and beyond), you will first need to find a bus stop on Madison Avenue and take a southbound bus.

Yes, including local, limited, SBS, and express services.

NYC bus stops do not have MetroCard vending machines installed directly at the bus stop.

When riding New York City buses, accessibility features like ramps or lifts are available to assist passengers using mobility aids such as a heavy rollator walker. These features enable you to board and exit the bus without needing to lift your device.

Yes, you can pay in coins on all local crosstown buses in New York City. Fareboxes on buses are designed to accept United States coins, but remember that you must have the exact fare as drivers and fareboxes cannot provide change. The current fare for a local or limited bus ride is $3.00.

No, merchants do not sell Single Ride tickets for NYC subways and buses. You must purchase them directly from the large MetroCard or OMNY vending machines located inside subway stations.

No, you will only need to pay the difference in fare, not two separate full fares. The NYC public transit system offers a transfer credit when connecting between a local bus/subway and an express bus within a two-hour window, provided you use OMNY (tap-and-go) or a pay-per-ride MetroCard.

Coin fare boxes are typically located onboard the bus, near the driver, for local and limited bus services in NYC, not directly at the bus stops. For Select Bus Service (SBS) routes, you will find them at a kiosk on the sidewalk near the stop.

Currently, there is no standalone official OMNY app. You manage your OMNY account and virtual transit cards directly through the updated MTA app.

To travel from the 7 train and Main Street (Flushing-Main Street) to LGA Terminal B, you can take the Q90 bus. This direct route runs between Flushing and LaGuardia, and you can board it at Roosevelt Avenue & Prince Street (a short walk from Main Street). The travel time is approximately 25–27 minutes, and the fare is $2.90.

You can take the M1, M2, M3, or M4 bus from the Amtrak station to Central Park. Alternatively, the M34 bus is also an option.

Subway stations like A, E, 2, and 3 were helpful and takes less time, so you should take M42 and M103 to get to 53 Ann St from Port Authority.

Depending where you live, some may do. However, using a Metro Card its much more convenient than cash and you can reload it from the bus station.

If you are talking about a subway or an RTA bus, its across/at the top of the window next to you. Just pull it when you see your stop and they will stop for you.

Yes and no. A metro card is usually intended for one person only. If you wanted to theoretically be sneaky about it ,just use the card, walk through, and hand it to your friend. However, do not do this as it is not legal and if you are caught, you could be fined.

There are no easy bus lines that go there, but you can get there via the 7, S, 1, 2, and 3 subway lines.

You must signal for a stop on buses, you can do so by pulling the yellow cord on the windows, yellow strip, or the red button on the poles.

Ask the driver for help. They are required to assist you in any way possible.

Check the public transit website or ask in person when purchasing a 7-day pass. Most city services provide senior discounts or free service.

On Select Bus Service, you can use your credit card. Since you can't pay a fare using a credit card, it accepts MetroCard, OMNY, and cash, as mobile fares use credit cards.

In Manhattan, some people board buses from the rear to avoid long lines or to speed up the boarding process, especially when the bus is crowded. This is technically not always legal, as passengers usually must board at the front to pay. However, on certain routes, such as express buses, rear boarding may be allowed if you have a MetroCard or correct fare.