Find the Correct Route 73 Before You Leave
73 bus schedule is not one nationwide timetable. Route number 73 is used by several transit agencies in different cities, including Milwaukee, San José, Pinellas County, Santa Cruz and Philadelphia.
Use this guide to identify your operator first, then check the current schedule, first and last bus, major stops, fare, live arrivals, service alerts and accessibility information.
There Is More Than One Route 73
The fastest way to find the correct schedule is to match your city and transit agency before checking any departure time.
Where are you boarding?
MCTS, VTA, PSTA, METRO or SEPTA?
Match the destination sign.
Confirm stop name or ID.
Recheck before leaving.
73 Bus Schedule Rider Guide
Major U.S. Bus Routes Numbered 73
MCTS Route 73 Mill Road — Milwaukee
MCTS Route 73 serves the Mill Road corridor in Milwaukee County. The current official page provides separate eastbound and westbound schedules for weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
On the current weekday eastbound table, the first listed trip leaves N. 107th & Heather at 5:15 AM and reaches Teutonia & Florist at approximately 5:52 AM.
Early daytime trips are generally spaced about 45 minutes apart in the displayed schedule.
VTA Route 73 — San José
VTA Route 73 operates between Downtown San José and the Senter/Monterey area via Senter Road.
VTA publishes weekday northbound, weekday southbound, Saturday and Sunday/holiday schedules separately.
Current rider alert: VTA lists a temporary closure of the Route 73 stop at Senter & Tully through December 23, 2026.
PSTA Route 73 — Pinellas County, Florida
PSTA Route 73 connects Tyrone Square Mall and Park Street Terminal, serving Starkey Road, East Bay Drive and other important Pinellas County stops.
Monday–Saturday northbound service from Tyrone Square Mall starts at 5:45 AM. Sunday/holiday northbound service starts at 6:45 AM.
Most scheduled departures are approximately 60 minutes apart.
Santa Cruz METRO Route 73
Santa Cruz METRO Route 73 operates in Santa Cruz County and received a Fall 2026 timetable change effective September 10, 2026.
The agency states that weekday trips now serve Capitola Mall and that service operates at approximately 40-minute frequency from the beginning of service until about 5 PM.
Main & Ohlone Parkway is no longer a timetable timepoint but remains a regular stop.
SEPTA Route 73 — Philadelphia
SEPTA also operates a Route 73 in Northeast Philadelphia. Because Philadelphia bus service has undergone network and frequency changes, riders should use SEPTA’s current route search rather than an old timetable screenshot.
SEPTA’s bus-network information identifies Route 73 as a route with updated service frequency and operating span.
Use the official SEPTA route finder and real-time map to confirm today’s routing, departure and stop.
Route 73 First Bus, Weekend Service & Frequency
| Route 73 | Service pattern | Useful timing detail | Rider guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCTS Milwaukee | Weekday, Saturday and Sunday. | Current weekday eastbound schedule begins 5:15 AM at N. 107th & Heather. | Many displayed weekday trips are about 45 minutes apart. |
| VTA San José | Weekday, Saturday and Sunday/holiday tables. | Separate northbound and southbound schedules. | VTA advises arriving at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time. |
| PSTA Pinellas | Monday–Friday, Saturday, Sunday/holidays. | Northbound starts 5:45 AM Mon–Sat and 6:45 AM Sundays/holidays. | Most departures are hourly. |
| Santa Cruz METRO | Weekday and weekend. | Fall schedule changed Sept. 10, 2026. | About 40-minute frequency until approximately 5 PM on weekdays. |
| SEPTA Philadelphia | Current schedule varies by service day. | Use current SEPTA route finder. | Do not rely on an older PDF after network changes. |
How Much Does the 73 Bus Cost?
There is no single Route 73 ticket price. The fare follows the rules of the agency operating your bus.
MCTS uses WisGo, Umo, contactless payment and cash. Fare-capping benefits depend on payment method.
Clipper single-ride payment includes two hours of free VTA transfers. Contactless bank-card payment is also supported for adult fares.
Flamingo Fares and tap-to-pay offer daily and monthly fare caps. Cash remains accepted on ordinary PSTA buses.
Tap2Cruz supports contactless payment. The adult contactless daily cap for local service is listed at $5.
Major Route 73 Stop Patterns
These simplified diagrams are for orientation only. They are not substitutes for the agency’s current full stop list.
Scheduled Time vs Live Route 73 Arrival
Scheduled time is the agency’s planned timetable. Live arrival is a prediction that can change because of traffic, detours, breakdowns, weather, operator availability or canceled trips.
Use the agency website or recommended app.
Check that the correct city is displayed.
Match destination or terminal.
Confirm stop name or stop ID.
Refresh shortly before walking out.
Check Route 73 Detours and Stop Closures
Accessibility Checklist for Route 73 Riders
Before You Board Route 73
- Arrive early: aim for at least 5–10 minutes before the scheduled departure.
- Check direction: match the bus headsign with your destination.
- Know the return trip: verify the last bus before making an evening journey.
- Load fare first: have your fare card, contactless payment or exact cash ready.
- Check alerts: construction and temporary stop closures can move your boarding point.
- Use live time carefully: predicted arrivals are estimates, not guarantees.
Official Route 73 Schedule & Fare Sources
Current Mill Road timetable, directions, route map and stop times.
Open MCTS Route 73WisGo, adult fare, reduced fare and fare-capping information.
Open MCTS faresSchedule, map, direction selector and current route alerts.
Open VTA Route 73Adult, youth and reduced fares, Clipper transfers and contactless payment.
Open VTA faresComplete Tyrone Square Mall–Park Street Terminal weekday and weekend timetable.
Open PSTA Route 73Cash, Flamingo Fares, tap-to-pay, reduced fare and fare caps.
Open PSTA faresRoute information, schedule changes, live information and rider tools.
Open Santa Cruz METROLocal fare, Tap2Cruz, passes, caps and reduced fare information.
Open METRO fares73 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Route 73 bus schedule?
There is no single Route 73 timetable. Multiple transit agencies use route number 73, so first identify your city and operator.
What time does the 73 bus start?
The first bus varies by transit system and direction. For example, MCTS Route 73 currently lists a weekday eastbound departure at 5:15 AM, while PSTA northbound service begins at 5:45 AM Monday through Saturday.
Does Route 73 run on Sundays?
Several Route 73 services run Sundays, including MCTS, VTA and PSTA. Always open the specific agency schedule because Sunday service can start later or operate less frequently.
How often does the 73 bus run?
Frequency depends on the operator. PSTA Route 73 generally runs hourly, Santa Cruz METRO announced roughly 40-minute weekday service through about 5 PM, and MCTS shows many weekday trips approximately 45 minutes apart.
How much is the Route 73 bus fare?
The fare depends on the agency. Current examples include $2.75 adult fare on MCTS, $2.50 on VTA, $2.25 on PSTA and $2.00 for local adult service on Santa Cruz METRO.
Where does MCTS Route 73 go?
MCTS Route 73 serves the Mill Road corridor and includes timepoints such as N. 107th & Heather, Park Place, N. 91st & Mill, N. 76th & Mill, N. 60th & Mill and Teutonia & Florist.
Where does PSTA Route 73 go?
PSTA Route 73 connects Tyrone Square Mall and Park Street Terminal through the Starkey Road and East Bay Drive corridor.
How do I track the 73 bus live?
Open the live-arrival or trip-planning tool offered by the transit agency, search Route 73, select the correct direction and then choose your exact stop.
Are Route 73 times guaranteed?
No. Published times are scheduled times and live times are predictions. Traffic, detours, weather, construction and operational problems can affect arrival.
How early should I arrive for the 73 bus?
Arriving about 5–10 minutes before the scheduled time is a practical rule. VTA specifically advises riders to be at the stop at least five minutes before the scheduled arrival.