What is the bus etiquette in NYC?

Keep seats at the front available for people who need them. It is required to surrender accessible seats upon request. Don't stand in the stairwell or doorway while the bus is moving. For help planning a trip, call 511.



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Only take up the space you need. Don't sit down in one seat and put your bag in the one next to you if the bus or train is crowded or starts filling up. Keep your feet and belongings out of the aisles and be careful not to block any doors either.

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It is a travel lane restricted to buses only during certain hours of the day. During this time, other vehicles may enter a bus lane only to make the next available right turn, or to quickly drop off or pick up passengers. Violating bus lane rules results in a $50 – $250 fine.

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You could listen to music, a podcast, an audiobook or the radio. You could talk to others waiting at the same stop. If the first person isn't talkative, just move on to the next one and so on. You could people-watch.

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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!

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The best way to get around New York City is on foot as traffic is fairly heavy around-the-clock. That said, the subway system is a convenient option, too, and it extends throughout Manhattan and into the other New York boroughs.

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It is a travel lane restricted to buses only during certain hours of the day. During this time, other vehicles may enter a bus lane only to make the next available right turn, or to quickly drop off or pick up passengers. Violating bus lane rules results in a $50 – $250 fine.

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A small survey of 77 drivers suggested a greeting from a passenger was meaningful to them, the researchers said. Of 116 passengers questioned at a bus station, 84% said they believed engaging with the driver had a positive impact, according to the findings.

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9 Things Not to Do on a Bus
  • Avoid eating foods that are particularly smelly as it will cause the entire bus to smell.
  • Keep the volume down on your headphones so you don't disturb other passengers.
  • Don't put your feet on the chair of the person in front of you.
  • Keep your items confined to your one seat.


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Tap your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device at the OMNY reader as you enter. On local, limited, and express buses, you must enter and use the reader at the front door. On SBS buses, enter at any door and use the reader there.

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Apple Pay is accepted on trains and buses throughout NYC.

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We encourage all of our customers to buy tickets using the First Bus App or to pay by contactless card on board. If you are paying with cash, please try to use the exact fare.

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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!

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Lean against the window and stretch out your legs. Sit on the aisle seat and listen to music to pretend not to hear people asking for the window seat. Place a large bag or multiple items in the empty seat to make it time-consuming to move. Look out the window with a blank stare to appear crazy.

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