Route 79 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
Looking for the 79 bus schedule? Route 79 is operated by several different transit agencies across the United States. Chicago’s CTA #79 79th, Philadelphia’s SEPTA Route 79, Portland’s TriMet Line 79, Houston’s METRO 079 Irvington, and Pittsburgh’s PRT 79 East Hills are separate services.
This guide helps you find the correct bus, understand weekday and weekend departure times, identify important stops, check first and last buses, compare fares, and follow official real-time arrival information.
There Is No Single National Route 79 Bus Schedule
The correct timetable depends on the city, operator, travel direction, service day, and exact stop. Do not use another city’s Route 79 schedule simply because the route number matches.
Route 79 Guide Navigation
Route 79 Bus Schedule by City
Each of the following route descriptions includes the operating agency, main destinations, direction information, and official resources. Start with the city where you intend to board.
CTA Route 79 — 79th
CTA Route 79 is a major east-west corridor bus connecting the 79th Street Lakefront, 79th Red Line station, 79th/Western and, on extended trips, Ford City Mall.
The route is designated a frequent service and provides overnight Owl service between 79th/Western and 79th/Lakefront.
Important stops and connections: 79th Red Line, Ashland, Western, Pulaski, Jeffery, Ford City and Lakefront.
Published timetable effective: August 23, 2026.
SEPTA Route 79 — Snyder Avenue
SEPTA Route 79 connects Columbus Commons with 29th & Snyder, and selected extended trips continue through University City to 40th & Market.
The extension became part of SEPTA’s New Bus Network Phase 1 on August 23, 2026. Not every Route 79 bus serves the extended western terminal.
Key areas: South Philadelphia, Snyder Avenue, Point Breeze, University City, and Powelton Village on extended trips.
Important: check whether the headsign says 29th-Snyder or 40th-Market before boarding.
TriMet Line 79 — Clackamas/Oregon City
TriMet Line 79 connects Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and Oregon City Transit Center.
The route follows major corridors including 82nd Avenue, 82nd Drive, Arlington, McLoughlin and Main Street.
TriMet publishes separate weekday, Saturday and Sunday schedules in both directions.
Useful stop IDs: Clackamas Town Center Transit Center 13248 and Oregon City Transit Center 8760.
Weekday schedule effective: October 4, 2026.
METRO Route 079 — Irvington
Houston METRO Route 079 Irvington connects the Burnett Transit Center area with northern destinations along the Irvington corridor toward Aldine Westfield.
The route also provides connections around Northline Transit Center, Irvington, Cavalcade and Fulton.
The official published route brochure lists northbound and southbound timepoints, local fare information and transfer points.
Source-date caution: the directly accessible official route brochure is dated January 2025. Use the current METRO web scheduler or tracking tool to confirm 2026 departures.
PRT Route 79 — East Hills
Pittsburgh Regional Transit operates the 79 East Hills route, providing a connection through Wilkinsburg, East Hills, Eastwood, Lincoln Park and Lincoln-Lemington.
Important boarding and transfer locations include Wilkinsburg Station, with service continuing toward Lincoln Loop and related neighborhood stops.
The agency timetable also explains some trips connected to the P17 Lincoln Park Flyer during weekday commuting periods.
Schedule warning: PRT announced service adjustments effective October 18, 2026. Check the agency’s route finder for any updated Route 79 schedule before travel after that date.
MTA M79-SBS — 79th Street Crosstown
Some searches for “79 bus schedule” refer to Manhattan’s M79-SBS Select Bus Service.
The M79-SBS operates between Yorkville on the East Side and the West Side via the 79th Street Crosstown corridor, including Central Park crossings.
Its route designation is M79-SBS, not simply Route 79. Boarding and payment arrangements follow MTA Select Bus Service rules.
Rider tip: check the MTA Bus Time page for the correct eastbound or westbound stop and any temporary closure.
CTA Route 79 First & Last Bus Times
Chicago CTA provides all-day and overnight Route 79 service. However, the full Ford City extension does not have exactly the same operating pattern as the overnight section between 79th/Western and 79th/Lakefront.
| Route and direction | Weekdays | Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford City Mall → 79th/Lakefront | 5:00 AM–12:20 AM | 6:20 AM–12:35 AM | 6:20 AM–12:20 AM |
| 79th/Lakefront → Ford City Mall | 4:00 AM–11:15 PM | 5:05 AM–12:00 AM | 5:10 AM–11:15 PM |
| 79th/Western ↔ 79th/Lakefront | Overnight service | Overnight service | Overnight service |
Source: CTA Route 79 official terminal service spans. These are first/last departure ranges at terminals, not the time the bus reaches every intermediate stop.
Actual Weekday CTA 79 Timetable Example
The following sample demonstrates how a passenger should read the official August 23, 2026 CTA timetable.
| Ford City | 79th/Pulaski | 79th/Western | 79th/Ashland | 79th Red Line | 79th/Jeffery | Lakefront |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4:59 AM | 5:06 AM | 5:14 AM | 5:20 AM | 5:30 AM | 5:44 AM | 5:53 AM |
CTA Route 79 Frequency
CTA identifies Route 79 as a frequent corridor with service of 10 minutes or better during its main operating periods. The published timetable shows some weekday sections with much shorter scheduled intervals, while overnight trips are less frequent.
SEPTA Route 79 Schedule: New University City Extension
SEPTA made a major service change to Route 79 beginning August 23, 2026. Older timetables may show the service only between Columbus Commons and 29th-Snyder. That is no longer the complete route description.
The official service-change announcement says the 40th Street extension operates on every other trip. Consequently, a passenger traveling to University City cannot board just any Route 79 bus and assume it will reach 40th-Market.
SEPTA Route 79 Published Frequency
| Part of route | Published frequency | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Main Snyder Avenue corridor | Every 15 minutes or better during the principal weekday service period | From approximately 6 AM to 9 PM in the agency’s published service-frequency summary. |
| Extension toward 40th-Market | Approximately every other trip | Confirm the 40th-Market destination on the timetable and headsign. |
| Other hours | Agency indicates intervals of 30 minutes or less in its general route frequency summary | Check the actual first, last, and overnight departures in the effective timetable. |
The official PDF includes the 2026 extension, updated weekday timing, other service days, and separate trip branches.
Open Route 79 schedule PDFSEPTA’s New Bus Network Phase 1 explains the August 23 extension and related route changes.
View SEPTA Phase 1 changesTriMet Route 79 Bus Schedule: Portland and Oregon City
TriMet’s Route 79 runs between Clackamas Town Center Transit Center and Oregon City Transit Center. Unlike Chicago’s Route 79, this route has different daily first and last trips rather than a common overnight service pattern.
Weekday — Clackamas Town Center to Oregon City
Effective schedule: October 4, 2026.
| Clackamas TC | Clackamas Mall | 82nd Dr/Greenhouse Square | Arlington/Portland | Oregon City TC | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:14 AM | 6:17 AM | 6:27 AM | 6:36 AM | 6:44 AM | 30 min |
| 7:04 AM | 7:07 AM | 7:17 AM | 7:26 AM | 7:34 AM | 30 min |
| 7:38 AM | 7:41 AM | 7:52 AM | 8:01 AM | 8:09 AM | 31 min |
| 8:06 AM | 8:09 AM | 8:20 AM | 8:29 AM | 8:37 AM | 31 min |
| 8:46 AM | 8:49 AM | 8:59 AM | 9:08 AM | 9:16 AM | 30 min |
Weekday — Oregon City to Clackamas Town Center
| Oregon City TC | Arlington/Portland | 15900 Block 82nd Dr | Clackamas TC | Travel time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:17 AM | 6:22 AM | 6:32 AM | 6:44 AM | 27 min |
| 7:01 AM | 7:06 AM | 7:17 AM | 7:29 AM | 28 min |
| 7:51 AM | 7:56 AM | 8:07 AM | 8:19 AM | 28 min |
| 8:39 AM | 8:44 AM | 8:55 AM | 9:08 AM | 29 min |
First and Last Selected TriMet 79 Terminal Trips
| Direction | First weekday departure | Last weekday departure |
|---|---|---|
| Clackamas TC → Oregon City TC | 6:14 AM | 10:09 PM |
| Oregon City TC → Clackamas TC | 6:17 AM | 10:02 PM |
Open all current weekday, Saturday, and Sunday Line 79 schedules.
Houston METRO 079: Stops, Service Frequency & Transfers
Houston METRO lists Route 079 as Irvington. The official route directory and brochure show the service between Burnett Transit Center and northern destinations toward Aldine Westfield.
Simplified northbound sequence based on the agency’s published route brochure. Additional local stops are served.
Use the schedule toward Aldine Westfield when traveling from Burnett through Northline and northern stops.
Choose Burnett Transit Center as the destination when returning from northern stops.
The older METRO brochure shows hourly departures at many key timepoints. Check the current schedule for changes.
Official Timepoint Example
The following sample is from METRO’s January 2025 Route 079 brochure. It helps explain the route’s stop order and historical published running time, but it should not be treated as a verified October 2026 departure.
| Burnett TC | Fulton/Quitman | Irvington/Cavalcade | Northline TC | Aldine Westfield/Little York |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 AM | 5:04 AM | 5:09 AM | 5:20 AM | 5:44 AM |
The old published trip takes approximately 44 minutes from Burnett to Aldine Westfield. Actual 2026 trip time and service frequency may differ.
PRT 79 East Hills: Schedule, Stops & Service Notes
Pittsburgh Regional Transit uses Route 79 for East Hills service. It is not the same route as Chicago 79th or SEPTA Snyder Avenue.
An important busway connection. Confirm whether your trip starts at Station Stop B or arrives at Stop D.
Published Route 79 timepoints include Wilner Drive and Eastwood Giant Eagle.
The 79 serves destinations around Lincoln Park and Lincoln-Lemington, including Lincoln Loop.
Selected Saturday PRT 79 Times
These examples are taken from the published PRT Route 79 timetable from Wilkinsburg Station Stop B toward Lincoln Loop.
| Wilkinsburg Station B | East Hills/Wilner | Lincoln Loop | Scheduled ride time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:02 AM | 7:09 AM | 7:30 AM | 28 min |
| 7:42 AM | 7:50 AM | 8:10 AM | 28 min |
| 8:22 AM | 8:30 AM | 8:50 AM | 28 min |
Route 79 Service Days, Frequency & Approximate Travel Time
| City and agency | Service pattern | Approximate trip example | Best source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago CTA | Daily, with overnight service on a core section | About 54 minutes in the selected Ford City-to-Lakefront weekday trip | CTA route |
| Philadelphia SEPTA | Frequent Snyder Avenue corridor; selected extended trips | Depends on whether the trip ends at 29th-Snyder or continues to 40th-Market | SEPTA PDF |
| Portland TriMet | Weekday, Saturday, Sunday schedules | About 27–31 minutes in the selected weekday terminal trips | TriMet route |
| Houston METRO | Current schedule must be checked | 44 minutes in the agency’s older northbound brochure sample | METRO schedules |
| Pittsburgh PRT | Weekday and weekend schedules; route-specific trip patterns | 28 minutes in selected Saturday Wilkinsburg-to-Lincoln Loop trips | PRT schedule finder |
Route 79 Stops: Find the Correct Boarding Location
The following visual diagrams simplify selected major corridors. They are not complete stop lists, geographically accurate route maps, or substitutes for the official agency maps.
Chicago CTA 79th Street Corridor
During overnight hours, use the appropriate shortened corridor pattern rather than assuming Ford City service.
TriMet 79 Clackamas/Oregon City Corridor
SEPTA 79 Snyder Avenue with Extension
Only selected SEPTA Route 79 trips serve the final two points.
CTA provides a route diagram, stop listing and connecting rail stations.
View official CTA 79 mapSEPTA’s updated PDF includes the University City extension and route timepoints.
View SEPTA Route 79 mapTriMet provides an interactive route map and separate direction-specific schedules.
View TriMet 79 mapMETRO’s route directory and interactive system map show Route 079 Irvington and its stops.
Open official METRO mapPRT’s published PDF shows East Hills, Lincoln Park and Wilkinsburg service patterns.
View PRT 79 mapTriMet 79 Stop IDs and Direction Guide
TriMet’s printed schedule lists specific stop IDs at major timepoints. Use them in TransitTracker to find the correct upcoming bus.
| Stop | Stop ID | Direction or use |
|---|---|---|
| Clackamas Town Center Transit Center | 13248 | Terminal in both directions |
| Clackamas Town Center Mall | 12922 | Toward Oregon City |
| SE 82nd Dr & Greenhouse Square | 8072 | Toward Oregon City |
| E Arlington & Portland Ave | 137 | Toward Oregon City |
| Oregon City Transit Center | 8760 | Terminal in both directions |
| W Arlington & Portland Ave | 136 | Toward Clackamas |
| 15900 Block SE 82nd Dr | 8079 | Toward Clackamas |
Route 79 Bus Fare: How Much Does It Cost?
Route 79 fares are set independently by each operating agency. The prices and payment rules below are based on published official fare information. They can change, so confirm current rates before boarding.
The CTA’s published fare chart lists a $2.25 Ventra bus fare and $2.50 cash fare. Because the FY2026 budget proposed changes to several fare products, confirm the current amount directly with CTA.
Payment: Ventra, eligible contactless payment and cash under agency rules.
CTA faresPublished standard Bus and Metro single ride.
Payment: SEPTA Key, contactless bank card, accepted mobile payment or cash.
Two qualifying transfers within two hours are included with eligible payment methods. Cash fares do not provide the same transfer benefit.
SEPTA faresAdult fare valid for 2½ hours.
Payment: Hop Fastpass, supported contactless cards, mobile wallet or cash.
Adult fare capping is $5.60 per day and $100 per calendar month with eligible payment methods.
TriMet faresRegular local bus fare. The published discounted local fare is $0.60 for eligible passengers.
Payment: RideMETRO physical or virtual Fare Card, contactless card, mobile wallet, passes or cash.
Qualifying transfers are valid for up to three hours with eligible payment.
METRO faresPublished standard stored-value and cash fare.
Stored-value full fare includes unlimited transfers for three hours. Cash payment is for a single ride.
Payment: ConnectCard and other agency-supported fare products.
PRT faresFare-Saving Comparison
Two $2.80 adult fares reach the $5.60 daily maximum when the qualifying card or device is used correctly.
Use the same eligible SEPTA Key or contactless payment method when making qualifying transfers within two hours.
Qualifying RideMETRO fare products and supported payments offer eligible free transfers for up to three hours.
Scheduled Time vs. Live Route 79 Bus Arrival
Scheduled time is the timetable’s planned departure. Live arrival is a same-day estimate based on real-time vehicle data where available. Traffic, weather, construction, stop closures, cancellations and GPS availability may affect the displayed prediction.
Open the correct city’s official live-tracking tool.
Match the operator’s exact route designation.
Use the destination headsign and terminal name.
Select the stop ID, intersection, or map pin.
Review estimated arrival and alerts before leaving.
Use Bus Tracker for #79 79th, then select direction and the stop.
Open CTA Bus TrackerUse the SEPTA app or current schedules to check the correct 79 branch and arrival.
Open SEPTA route toolsEnter your stop ID in TransitTracker for the next predicted Line 79 bus.
Open TransitTrackerSelect 079 Irvington in the official Track Bus or Train tool.
Open METRO trackingUse the agency’s official schedules and rider tools for Route 79 East Hills.
Open PRT rider toolsRoute 79 Text & Telephone Arrival Information
Some agencies offer official stop-based arrival information through text messages or telephone systems.
Text your TriMet stop ID to 27299.
For example, text 13248 when checking Clackamas Town Center Transit Center departures. Then confirm that the response includes Line 79 and your intended direction.
Official TriMet text instructionsCall 503-238-7433 and follow the TransitTracker telephone prompts.
Enter your official stop ID when requested.
TransitTracker helpSEPTA’s current Route 79 brochure instructs riders to send SEPTA and a stop number to 41411 to receive stop-based arrival information.
Follow the exact agency formatting on the current PDF and confirm the stop ID before sending.
Official SEPTA instructionsHow to Find the Correct Side of the Road for Route 79
Many bus routes serve stops on opposite sides of the road. A stop name may be nearly identical in both directions, but the destination headsign and stop ID may differ.
Match the stop ID on the physical sign or official map with the stop selected in the live tracker.
Confirm Ford City versus Lakefront, Oregon City versus Clackamas, or the relevant agency terminal.
For SEPTA, make sure the bus is continuing to 40th-Market if that is your destination.
Route 79 Delays, Detours, Stop Closures & Holiday Schedules
A published timetable does not guarantee that service is operating normally on the day of travel. Construction, special events, maintenance and unforeseen disruptions can affect Route 79.
Construction, accidents or blocked roads may move buses away from their normal route.
A normal boarding point may be closed temporarily. Check the operator’s replacement stop instructions.
A Sunday or special schedule may apply on holidays. Some route patterns may not operate.
Agencies may revise frequencies, termini or branches on published changeover dates.
Route 79 Wheelchair Accessibility, Reduced Fares & Assistance
Accessible travel depends on both the bus vehicle and the actual boarding location. Temporary curb conditions, sidewalk construction or moved stops can affect accessibility.
CTA states that all CTA buses are accessible. Riders should check stop conditions and connecting rail station access separately.
CTA accessibilityTriMet provides accessibility features and separate LIFT paratransit services for eligible passengers.
TriMet accessibilityReview accessible boarding information, reduced-fare eligibility and SEPTA Access service where appropriate.
SEPTA accessibility resourcesCheck accessible local bus information and METROLift eligibility when fixed-route travel is not suitable.
METRO accessibility resourcesPRT provides reduced fares, accessibility information and separate ACCESS paratransit resources.
PRT accessibility resourcesHow to Find and Ride the Correct Route 79
Determine whether your trip is in Chicago, Philadelphia, Portland, Houston, Pittsburgh or another location.
Use CTA, SEPTA, TriMet, METRO, PRT or another verified operator’s official schedule.
Choose weekday, Saturday, Sunday or the appropriate holiday timetable.
Use the intended terminal, bus headsign, intersection and stop ID.
Use an accepted fare card, contactless payment, mobile ticket or exact cash when permitted.
Check the official live arrival prediction, confirm the stop remains active and reach the stop early.
What to Do If Route 79 Is Late or Missing
Confirm that you selected the correct agency, direction and stop ID. Some systems show scheduled times when real-time predictions are unavailable.
Check the destination headsign and official direction-specific stop map. The opposite stop may be across the street.
Some CTA trips end before Ford City, while some SEPTA trips end at 29th-Snyder rather than 40th-Market. Check the trip pattern.
Open the agency’s trip planner and look for an alternative route or connecting service. Do not assume a different terminal’s last-bus time applies to your stop.
Check its effective date. Use the current official route page when an older PDF conflicts with a newly published service change.
Read the official alert for the replacement stop and safe walking directions. Do not assume the normal stop is active because the bus shelter is still present.
Route 79 Boarding Checklist
- Confirm your city and transit agency.
- Choose the correct Route 79 service.
- Check the timetable’s effective date.
- Choose weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
- Confirm the bus direction and terminal.
- Find your exact boarding stop and stop ID.
- Check the first and last buses for the journey.
- Confirm approximate riding and transfer time.
- Prepare the correct ticket or payment method.
- Read service alerts and detour notices.
- Arrive at least 5 minutes early; allow extra time when needed.
- Recheck live arrival shortly before traveling.
Official Route 79 Schedules, Fare Pages & Maps
Use these sources for current route details, timetables, fare changes and service alerts.
Official route page with terminal service spans, alerts, bus stop listing and route map.
Open CTA Route 79Published August 23, 2026, with weekday and weekend trips, Dart extensions and school service notes.
Open CTA timetableOfficial PDF showing the Snyder Avenue corridor and the 2026 University City extension.
Open SEPTA Route 79 PDFOfficial August 23, 2026 service-change information, including the Route 79 extension.
Open SEPTA Phase 1Separate weekday, Saturday and Sunday timetables, maps, stop IDs and tracker links.
Open TriMet Route 79Hop fare caps, contactless payment, adult fare and reduced-fare programs.
Open TriMet faresOfficial bus directory listing Route 079 Irvington and current route lookup tools.
Open METRO schedulesCurrent local bus fare and payment information, including RideMETRO and contactless options.
Open METRO faresSelect 79-East Hills to review agency route and schedule information.
Open PRT Route 79Published East Hills schedule, weekend service and connecting P17 route information.
Open PRT timetableBusSchedule.us is an independent transit information guide. It does not operate these buses, control schedules, process agency fare payments or guarantee live arrival predictions. Research reviewed October 9, 2026. For travel, use the latest official agency information.
Route 79 Bus Schedule FAQs
Where can I find the Route 79 bus schedule?
Identify the correct transit agency first. CTA operates Route 79 79th in Chicago, SEPTA operates Route 79 in Philadelphia, TriMet operates Line 79 in the Portland region, Houston METRO operates 079 Irvington, and PRT operates 79 East Hills in Pittsburgh. Each has a separate timetable.
Does CTA Route 79 run 24 hours?
Yes. CTA publishes overnight service between 79th/Western and 79th/Lakefront. Full Ford City service operates during a different schedule window, so not every overnight Route 79 bus goes to Ford City.
What time does the Chicago 79 bus start?
CTA publishes overnight service on the central corridor. For full-route terminal service, weekday Ford City departures toward the Lakefront begin at approximately 5:00 AM, while Lakefront departures toward Ford City begin at approximately 4:00 AM.
Does SEPTA Route 79 go to University City?
Yes. Starting August 23, 2026, SEPTA extended every other Route 79 trip toward 40th & Market via University City. Check the destination headsign because other trips may end at 29th-Snyder.
What time does TriMet Route 79 start?
The October 4, 2026 weekday timetable lists the first Clackamas Town Center departure toward Oregon City at 6:14 AM and the first Oregon City departure toward Clackamas at 6:17 AM. Weekend departures differ.
How long does TriMet Route 79 take?
Selected weekday trips between Clackamas Town Center and Oregon City Transit Center take approximately 27–31 scheduled minutes, depending on direction and departure. Actual running time can vary with conditions.
How much does Route 79 cost?
There is no single Route 79 fare. Published adult fares include $2.90 on SEPTA, $2.80 on TriMet, $1.25 on Houston METRO and $2.75 on PRT. Check CTA’s current fare chart for Chicago.
Where can I track the Route 79 bus live?
Use CTA Bus Tracker in Chicago, SEPTA’s route and app tools in Philadelphia, TriMet TransitTracker in Portland, the official METRO tracker in Houston, or Pittsburgh Regional Transit’s rider tools. Select your exact stop and direction.
Does Route 79 run on weekends?
CTA Route 79 and TriMet Line 79 publish Saturday and Sunday service. Houston METRO and PRT also provide weekend schedule information. SEPTA service-day and branch availability should be checked against the current Route 79 timetable.
Is New York M79-SBS the same as Route 79?
No. New York’s M79-SBS is an MTA Select Bus Service operating across Manhattan via the 79th Street corridor. Its schedule, stops and fare rules are separate from the Route 79 services in other cities.