Route 36 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
36 bus schedule is a broad search because many transit agencies use Route 36. A Route 36 in Chicago is different from Route 36 in Seattle, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, or Minneapolis.
This guide helps you identify the right city and operator, then check the official timetable, fare, live tracker, route map, stop direction, service alerts, accessibility, and approximate ride time before you travel.
There Is No Single “Route 36 Bus Schedule”
Route 36 is reused by many transit agencies. The correct schedule depends on the city, operating agency, route name, direction, stop, date, weekday/weekend service pattern, and same-day alerts.
Start with your boarding city or region.
CTA, SEPTA, SFMTA, Metro, MBTA, or another operator.
Check the terminal, headsign, branch, and stop side.
Ticket price and transfer rules are agency-specific.
Live arrival predictions can change before boarding.
Route 36 Bus Schedule Guide
Which Route 36 Bus Are You Looking For?
Use this section as a route resolver. Open the official source for your city, select your travel date, choose direction, then check your exact stop or station.
CTA 36 Broadway — Chicago, Illinois
CTA Route 36 is the Broadway bus. The official route page lists service between Clark/Devon and LaSalle Metra, with separate northbound and southbound first/last bus spans.
Useful detail: CTA lists southbound terminal service from about 4:00 AM on weekdays and northbound terminal service continuing after midnight. Mid-route stops are later than terminal times, so use CTA Bus Tracker for your stop.
SEPTA Route 36 / T5 — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
SEPTA Route 36 is listed as 13th St to 80th St / Eastwick, serving Center City and Southwest Philadelphia via Elmwood Avenue. SEPTA’s newer Metro naming may show this service as part of the Trolley network.
Useful detail: the official PDF says service is typically 15 minutes or less from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM and 30 minutes or less at other times. It also notes overnight/tunnel diversion details that riders should check before late trips.
Muni 36 Teresita — San Francisco, California
SFMTA Route 36 is the 36 Teresita. It serves hilly neighborhood areas including Bernal Heights, Diamond Heights, Glen Park, Mission, Noe Valley, Twin Peaks, and Forest Hill/Midtown Terrace connections.
Useful detail: SFMTA shows 30-minute service across weekday and weekend periods and notes 40-foot bus substitutions and temporary stop relocations. Always check the route page for current stop status.
King County Metro Route 36 — Seattle, Washington
King County Metro Route 36 serves Othello Station, Beacon Hill, Jefferson Park, Chinatown/International District, and Downtown Seattle.
Useful detail: official stop examples include Othello Station, Beacon Hill, Jefferson Park, S Jackson St, and 3rd Ave & Pike St. Use the official schedule for your direction because some trips may short-turn or return to garage.
MBTA 36 — Boston, Massachusetts
MBTA Route 36 is listed as Millennium Park or VA Hospital – Forest Hills Station. It is a local bus route where exact stop and direction matter.
Useful detail: MBTA’s schedule page is the best source for the current route pattern, alerts, and stop-level information. MBTA also recommends using real-time tools as the departure time approaches.
Metro Transit 36 — Minneapolis / Edina, Minnesota
Metro Transit Route 36 is a local bus route serving South Minneapolis, Uptown Transit Station, Hennepin Avenue, Xerxes Avenue, Edina, Southdale Center, Hazelton Road, Parklawn Avenue, and Minnesota Drive.
Useful detail: the PDF includes a route map, weekday schedule, timepoints, fare details, transfer rules, NexTrip guidance, and a Southdale Transit Center park-and-ride note.
How to Read Route 36 Times Correctly
Do not use one city’s Route 36 time for another city. Route 36 timing changes by agency, direction, exact stop, weekday, weekend, holiday, traffic, construction, and temporary reroutes.
| Route 36 example | What to check | Timing guidance | When to arrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA 36 Broadway | Terminal span, northbound/southbound direction, stop list, alerts, Bus Tracker. | CTA lists terminal-based first and last bus spans. Mid-route stops are later than terminal times. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early and recheck CTA Bus Tracker. |
| SEPTA Route 36 / T5 | Trolley direction, 13th St access, 40th St Portal diversion, late-night notes. | SEPTA’s PDF shows frequent daytime service and reduced overnight frequency, but riders must check the latest PDF and real-time tools. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early; allow extra time during tunnel diversions. |
| Muni 36 Teresita | Inbound/outbound direction, stop relocation, hilly street routing, live map. | SFMTA lists about 30-minute frequency. Stop status and temporary relocations can matter on this route. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early and check stop status. |
| King County Metro 036 | Othello vs Downtown direction, stop ID, effective schedule period, trip planner. | Use stop-specific times for Othello Station, Beacon Hill, Chinatown/International District, and Downtown Seattle. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early; allow extra time downtown. |
| MBTA Route 36 | Forest Hills direction, Millennium Park or VA Hospital branch, alerts, MBTA app. | Use MBTA’s route page and trip planner because branch and stop choices can affect departure time. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early, especially at branch stops. |
| Metro Transit Route 36 | Uptown, Xerxes, Edina, Southdale, weekday timepoints, NexTrip. | The official PDF says to use timepoints to estimate your stop time and NexTrip for real-time departures. | Metro Transit advises arriving 5 minutes before schedule or NexTrip departure. |
Route 36 Ticket Price Depends on the Agency
There is no national Route 36 fare. Fare, cash rules, transfers, fare cards, mobile tickets, reduced fares, and day passes are controlled by the agency operating your bus or trolley.
CTA lists regular bus fare at $2.25 with Ventra or contactless payment. Cash fare is listed separately and does not include transfers.
SEPTA accepts contactless payment and SEPTA Key options, but fare rules can differ by Bus, Metro, Trolley, Regional Rail, and Quick Trip product.
Muni lists adult single ride as $2.85 by Clipper, MuniMobile, or credit/debit and $3.00 by cash or Metro ticket machine.
ORCA and Transit GO are common payment options. Youth and eligible reduced-fare riders may have different fares.
MBTA lists local bus fare at $1.70 with CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, contactless payment, or cash.
The Route 36 PDF lists adult local bus and METRO fare at $2.00 all day, with 2.5-hour transfers included on most fares.
The number 36 alone does not tell you the fare.
Card, app, fare card, ticket, contactless, or cash.
Transfer windows and rules vary by operator.
Youth, senior, disability, Medicare, or low-income rules differ.
Load fare or prepare exact cash before the bus arrives.
Route 36 Stops: Confirm Direction, Stop ID and Terminal
Route 36 can have very different stop patterns by city. Use the official map and stop list because a wrong stop side or branch can send you in the opposite direction.
Example Terminal Map: Forest Hills Station for MBTA Route 36
This map is included as a practical example because Forest Hills Station is a major MBTA Route 36 terminal. For Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, or any other Route 36, use that operator’s official route map and stop locator.
- Confirm your city before using a map.
- Check the official stop ID, platform, or boarding side.
- Look for same-day detours before walking.
- Use Google Maps as navigation support, not the final timetable source.
Scheduled Time vs Live Arrival
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. Live arrival is a same-day prediction based on vehicle location or real-time information where available. Traffic, detours, cancellations, weather, events, operator availability, and GPS issues can change live arrival.
Use the official or agency-endorsed live bus tool.
Make sure the city and agency match your trip.
Match the terminal, branch, destination, or headsign.
Use stop name, stop ID, landmark, platform, or map pin.
Check again before leaving because predictions can change.
Check Route 36 Alerts Before You Leave
Service alerts can change the stop location, route path, tunnel access, departure bay, branch, or travel time. Always check the agency alert page on the same day you travel.
Accessibility Details to Check
Accessibility is both vehicle-specific and stop-specific. A route may use accessible vehicles, but a stop can still be affected by curb conditions, stairs, snow, construction, slope, sidewalk blockage, or temporary relocation.
How to Avoid Missing or Boarding the Wrong Route 36
- Confirm your city and transit agency.
- Open the official Route 36 page, not only a search result snippet.
- Select today’s travel date and service day.
- Choose the correct direction, branch, or destination sign.
- Find your exact stop name, stop ID, station, platform, or boarding bay.
- Check ticket price and accepted payment method.
- Check live arrival shortly before leaving.
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early; use 10–15 minutes for terminals or transfers.
- Check alerts for detours, closed stops, tunnel changes, or schedule updates.
- For late return trips, verify the last bus or trolley from your actual stop.
Official Route 36 Sources
Use these official pages to confirm current schedules, fares, maps, live arrivals, and alerts. Third-party tools can help with discovery, but the operating agency controls the current rider information.
Official schedule, first/last bus spans, map, stop list, service alerts, accessibility note, and Bus Tracker links.
Open CTA Route 36Ventra, contactless payment, cash fare, passes, transfers, reduced fare, and student fare details.
Open CTA faresOfficial PDF timetable for 13th St to 80th St / Eastwick, Center City, Southwest Philadelphia, frequency, and diversion notes.
Open SEPTA Route 36 PDFSEPTA Key, contactless payment, Bus/Metro/Trolley fare information, Quick Trip rules, and transfer guidance.
Open SEPTA faresOfficial route page with service span, route map, live map, neighborhoods, frequency, stop status, and temporary relocation notices.
Open SFMTA Route 36Clipper, MuniMobile, contactless payment, cash fare, day pass, monthly pass, youth, and discount fare information.
Open SFMTA faresOfficial schedule and map for Othello Station, Beacon Hill, Jefferson Park, Chinatown/International District, and Downtown Seattle.
Open King County Metro 36Adult fare, ORCA, Transit GO, youth fare, reduced fare, day pass, and Access fare information.
Open Metro faresOfficial route page for Millennium Park or VA Hospital to Forest Hills Station, alerts, route map, and live trip planning.
Open MBTA Route 36Official Minneapolis/Edina timetable with map, weekday timepoints, fares, transfer rules, NexTrip, and rider instructions.
Open Metro Transit Route 36 PDFRoute 36 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Route 36 bus schedule?
There is no single Route 36 bus schedule. The correct timetable depends on the city and transit agency operating that specific Route 36 bus or trolley.
How do I find the correct 36 bus schedule?
Start with your city, then confirm the agency, route name, direction, stop, service day, official schedule, and live bus tracker.
Is Route 36 the same in every city?
No. CTA Route 36, SEPTA Route 36/T5, SFMTA 36 Teresita, King County Metro Route 36, MBTA Route 36, and Metro Transit Route 36 are different services.
What time does Route 36 start?
Start time depends on the agency, terminal, direction, and service day. Use the official route page and check your exact stop because mid-route times are different from terminal times.
What time is the last Route 36 bus?
The last trip depends on direction, terminal, branch, stop, weekday, weekend, holiday, and any late-night or garage-return pattern.
How much is the Route 36 bus fare?
Fare depends on the operator. Examples include CTA bus fare, SEPTA transit fare rules, Muni fare, King County Metro fare, MBTA local bus fare, and Metro Transit local bus fare.
Can I pay cash on Route 36?
Some agencies accept cash, but rules vary. Cash may require exact fare and may not include the same transfer benefits as fare cards, contactless payment, or mobile tickets.
Where can I see live Route 36 arrival times?
Use the official agency tracker or endorsed tool, such as CTA Bus Tracker, SEPTA real-time tools, SFMTA live map, King County Metro Trip Planner, MBTA trip tools, or Metro Transit NexTrip.
How early should I arrive for Route 36?
Arrive 5–10 minutes early for most local stops. Use 10–15 minutes for terminals, transfers, unfamiliar stops, infrequent service, bad weather, or when buying or loading fare.
Where can I find the Route 36 map?
Use the official route page or timetable PDF for your agency. A generic map search can show the wrong city, wrong direction, old route pattern, or unofficial stop information.
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