Route 5 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
5 bus schedule is a broad search because many transit agencies use the number 5. A Route 5 in Seattle is different from Route 5 in Minneapolis, Houston, Macon, Fort Bragg, or Chicago’s overnight N5 route.
This guide helps you match the correct agency, check official bus times, compare ticket prices, use live arrival tools, understand stops and maps, and avoid boarding the wrong Route 5.
There Is No Single “Route 5 Bus Schedule”
Route 5 is reused by many agencies. The correct timetable depends on your city, transit agency, direction, stop, date, service day, fare system, and whether the agency is showing current alerts or detours.
Start with where you are boarding.
King County Metro, Houston METRO, CTA, MBCTA, MTA, or another local operator.
Check destination sign, terminal, branch, and stop side.
Ticket price and transfer rules vary by agency.
Live arrival can change on the same day.
Route 5 Bus Schedule Guide
Which Route 5 Bus Are You Looking For?
Use this resolver to avoid opening the wrong timetable. Select the city and agency first, then use the official route page for the current schedule, map, fare, alerts, live tracker, and exact stop.
King County Metro Route 5 — Seattle, Washington
King County Metro publishes Route 5 / 005 with an official schedule and map page. Use the route page to choose direction, travel date, and stop-specific times.
Rider tip: use Metro’s Trip Planner or schedule selector instead of relying on a single search snippet, because Seattle-area routes can have direction, stop, and service-period differences.
Metro Transit Route 5 — Minneapolis / St. Paul, Minnesota
Metro Transit Route 5 is a local bus route in the Twin Cities system. Official map information shows Route 5 serving Brooklyn Center, Robbinsdale, North Minneapolis, downtown Minneapolis, Chicago Avenue, and south-side connections.
Rider tip: if your trip is near Chicago Avenue or 38th/41st Street, check alerts before walking to the stop because official route alerts can move boarding locations.
Houston METRO 5 Southmore — Houston, Texas
Houston METRO lists 5 Southmore as a local bus route with accessible vehicles, free Wi-Fi, stop-by-stop schedule tools, route map, and current-alert subscription options.
Rider tip: choose direction first: eastbound toward Richey Street or westbound toward Wheeler Transit Center. Then select the exact stop and service day.
CTA N5 South Shore Night Bus — Chicago, Illinois
CTA’s relevant number-5 result is commonly N5 South Shore Night Bus, not a normal daytime “Route 5.” It is an overnight route, so do not confuse N5 with another city’s Route 5.
Rider tip: CTA says first and last buses reach mid-route stops later than terminal times, so use CTA Bus Tracker or the trip planner for your stop.
MBCTA Route 5 Tom Hill / Riverside — Macon, Georgia
Macon-Bibb County Transit Authority lists Route 5 as Tom Hill / Riverside. The route begins at the downtown Transfer Station and loops outbound to the farthest point before returning inbound.
Rider tip: MBCTA publishes separate outbound and inbound timepoints. Check whether your stop is before or after the route’s farthest point on the loop.
Mendocino Transit Route 5 Bragg About — Fort Bragg, California
Mendocino Transit Authority lists 5 Route 5 – Bragg About as hourly local service within Fort Bragg, with timetable and detail map links from the official route page.
Rider tip: MTA posts system alerts and service-change notices, so confirm the current Route 5 timetable before relying on older printed information.
How to Read Route 5 Times Correctly
Do not use one city’s Route 5 time for another city. Route 5 timing changes by operator, direction, stop, service day, holiday schedule, route variant, traffic, construction, detours, and real-time vehicle conditions.
| Route 5 example | What to check | Timing guidance | When to arrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| King County Metro Route 005 | Official Route 5 schedule, map, Trip Planner, ORCA fare information. | Select direction, date, and exact stop. Do not rely on a terminal time for a mid-route boarding point. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early; allow more time for transfers. |
| Metro Transit Route 5 | Schedule, detailed route map, NexTrip, and rider alerts. | Construction detours can affect Route 5 stops; check NexTrip and alerts before walking to the stop. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early, especially near detour areas. |
| Houston METRO 5 Southmore | Direction, stop-by-stop schedule, service day, Route Alerts, RideMETRO tools. | METRO lists service about every 40 minutes on weekdays and about every 45 minutes on weekends for most operating hours. | Arrive 10 minutes early because the route is not very frequent. |
| CTA N5 South Shore Night Bus | N5 route page, overnight service span, current alerts, CTA Bus Tracker. | N5 is an owl route. Terminal service spans do not equal every stop’s exact time. | Arrive early and use Bus Tracker because late-night service can feel less frequent. |
| MBCTA Route 5 Tom Hill / Riverside | Outbound table, inbound table, Saturday table, downtown Transfer Station departure. | MBCTA Route 5 uses loop-style outbound/inbound timepoints. Confirm whether your stop is on the outbound or inbound side. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early at neighborhood stops and more at the transfer station. |
| MTA Route 5 Bragg About | Official MTA timetable, Fort Bragg detail map, fares, and service alerts. | MTA describes Route 5 Bragg About as hourly local service within Fort Bragg. | Arrive before the published time because hourly service can mean a long wait if missed. |
Route 5 Ticket Price Depends on the Agency
There is no national Route 5 fare. Ticket price, cash rules, transfer windows, fare cards, mobile tickets, contactless payments, passes, and reduced fares are controlled by the agency operating your bus.
ORCA is the main regional fare card. Youth fares are listed as free, while seniors, disability/Medicare, and ORCA LIFT riders may qualify for reduced fares.
METRO accepts Q Fare Card, Q Mobile Ticket, Day Pass, METRO Money, and cash. Cash riders should not expect change or transfer benefits.
Cash bus fare is listed separately at $2.50 and does not include transfers. N5 follows CTA fare rules.
Use Metro Transit’s current fare page and app tools because fare policy can change and reduced fare programs have eligibility rules.
MBCTA publishes a fare page and supports mobile pass options. Confirm one-way fare, passes, and any reduced-fare eligibility before boarding.
MTA fare rules vary by route and rider category. Use the official fare page before assuming a flat price.
First match your Route 5 to the correct city and operator.
Card, app, contactless, ticket, fare card, pass, or exact cash.
Transfer windows depend on agency and payment type.
Youth, senior, disability, student, veteran, or low-income rules vary.
Load fare or prepare exact cash before the bus arrives.
Route 5 Stops: Confirm the Direction Before You Stand at the Stop
Route number alone is not enough. You must confirm direction, terminal, route variant, stop side, stop ID, and whether current alerts have moved the stop.
Example Terminal Map: Wheeler Transit Center for Houston METRO Route 5
This map is included only as a practical example because Houston METRO Route 5 Southmore uses Wheeler Transit Center as a key direction/terminal point. For another Route 5 city, use that agency’s official route map and stop locator.
- Confirm the city before using any map.
- Check the official stop ID or transit center bay.
- 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, construction, cancellations, weather, event congestion, and operator availability can change live arrival.
Use the agency’s official or endorsed live bus tool.
Make sure the city and agency match your trip.
Match the bus headsign, terminal, or destination.
Use stop name, stop ID, nearby landmark, or map pin.
Check again before leaving because live predictions can change.
Check Route 5 Alerts Before You Leave
Service alerts can change the stop location, route path, departure bay, or travel time. Always check the agency alert page on the same day you travel.
Accessibility Details to Check
Accessibility is both route-specific and stop-specific. A route may use accessible vehicles, but a specific stop can still be affected by curb conditions, construction, snow, sidewalk blockage, slope, lighting, shelter condition, or temporary relocation.
How to Avoid Missing or Boarding the Wrong Route 5
- Confirm your city and transit agency.
- Open the official Route 5 page, not only a search result snippet.
- Select today’s travel date and service day.
- Choose the correct direction or destination sign.
- Find your exact stop name, stop ID, 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 infrequent service.
- Check alerts for detours, closed stops, or schedule changes.
- For late return trips, verify the last bus from your actual stop.
Official Route 5 Sources
Use these official pages to confirm current schedules, fares, maps, live arrivals, and alerts. Third-party pages can help with discovery, but the operating agency controls the current information.
Official Route 005 schedule and map page for Seattle-area service.
Open King County Route 5Adult fare, ORCA card, youth fare, reduced fare, day pass, E-purse, and PugetPass information.
Open Metro pricesOfficial Twin Cities Route 5 schedule, map, NexTrip, and route-alert access.
Open Metro Transit Route 5Official real-time arrival tool for Metro Transit routes and stops.
Open NexTripOfficial route page with schedule selector, stop list, route map, alerts, frequency, and local bus rider tools.
Open METRO Route 5Local bus regular fare, discounted fare, payment methods, transfers, and fare card information.
Open METRO faresOfficial CTA overnight route page with route description, schedule, map, service alerts, and Bus Tracker links.
Open CTA N5Ventra, contactless, cash fare, transfers, passes, and reduced fare information.
Open CTA faresOfficial Macon-Bibb route page with destinations, outbound/inbound timetables, Saturday schedule, and live locator links.
Open MBCTA Route 5Official Fort Bragg Route 5 page with timetable, PDF, detail map, and route information.
Open MTA Route 5Route 5 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Route 5 bus schedule?
There is no single Route 5 bus schedule. The correct timetable depends on the city and transit agency operating that specific Route 5 service.
How do I find the correct 5 bus schedule?
Start with your city, then confirm the transit agency, route name, direction, stop, service day, official schedule, and live bus tracker.
Is Route 5 the same in every city?
No. Route numbers are reused. King County Metro Route 5, Houston METRO 5 Southmore, Metro Transit Route 5, MBCTA Route 5, Mendocino Route 5, and CTA N5 are different services.
What time does Route 5 start?
Start time depends on the route, terminal, direction, and service day. Use the official route page for the first bus from your actual boarding point.
What time is the last Route 5 bus?
The last bus depends on direction, terminal, stop, weekday, weekend, holiday, and any night, branch, or short-turn pattern. Always check the last trip from your actual stop.
How much is the Route 5 bus fare?
Fare depends on the operator. Examples include King County Metro adult fare, Houston METRO local fare, CTA bus fare, and local fare pages for MBCTA, Metro Transit, and Mendocino Transit. Always verify before boarding.
Can I pay cash on Route 5?
Some agencies accept cash, but rules vary. Cash may require exact fare and may not include transfer benefits available with fare cards, mobile tickets, or contactless payment.
Where can I see live Route 5 arrival times?
Use the official agency tracker or endorsed trip planner, such as King County Metro Trip Planner, Metro Transit NexTrip, RideMETRO tools, CTA Bus Tracker, MBCTA Ride Macon, or the local agency’s real-time locator.
How early should I arrive for Route 5?
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 5 map?
Use the official route page for your transit agency. A generic map search can show the wrong city, wrong direction, old route pattern, or unofficial stop information.