Find the Right Route 87 Schedule, Stops & Live Bus
87 bus schedule is an ambiguous search because several transit systems operate a Route 87. Chicago CTA, Portland TriMet, Boston-area MBTA and Arlington Transit in Virginia all have different Route 87 services.
Match your city and transit agency first. Then use the correct schedule, first and last bus, fare, route map, stop direction, real-time arrival tool and service-alert page.
There Is More Than One Route 87 Bus
Do not use a timetable simply because it says “87.” Match the route with your city, agency and destination.
Route 87 Rider Guide
Major Route 87 Bus Services
CTA 87 87th — Chicago
CTA Route 87 is officially named 87th. It serves Chicago’s 87th Street corridor and provides connections with the accessible 87th/Dan Ryan Red Line station.
CTA publishes several service segments rather than one universal start/end pair. Service includes the 87th/Western–91st/Commercial corridor and trips serving the Cicero area.
Terminal service example: CTA currently lists 87th/Western east to 91st/Commercial from about 4:00 AM until around 1:00 AM, depending on day. Other segments have different spans.
TriMet 87 Airport Way/181st — Portland
TriMet Line 87 connects Gateway Transit Center, Parkrose/Sumner Transit Center, Airport Way, Rockwood and Powell & 182nd Avenue.
TriMet states that Line 87 runs every 15 minutes or less most of the day, every day. The route connects with Gateway and Parkrose/Sumner transit centers, giving riders access to additional bus and rail connections.
MBTA 87 Arlington Center – Lechmere
MBTA Route 87 connects Arlington Center and Lechmere Station through Somerville-area corridors.
Starting April 5, 2026, MBTA changed Route 87 so all trips run between Lechmere and Arlington Center. The former pattern ending at Clarendon Hill was discontinued.
This change increased Arlington service on weekday evenings, Saturday evenings and Sundays.
ART 87 Pentagon – Army Navy Drive – Shirlington
Arlington Transit Route 87 connects Shirlington with the Pentagon area seven days a week.
Popular stops include Shirlington Bus Station, Glebe Road and Army Navy Drive. The terminal pattern changes on weekends, which is especially important for visitors expecting the weekday Pentagon stop.
Route 87 Times Depend on the Operator and Direction
A search for “what time does the 87 bus come?” needs three more details: your transit agency, direction and exact stop. Terminal times are not the same as times at mid-route stops.
| Route 87 | Current service pattern | Useful timing detail | Best check |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA Chicago | Daily; overnight service available on part of the route. | 87th/Western → 91st/Commercial begins around 4:00 AM and runs until roughly 1:00 AM. Other Route 87 segments have different spans. | CTA Bus Tracker + exact stop. |
| TriMet Portland | Daily, generally every 15 minutes or less most of the day. | Current timetable effective August 23, 2026. Service begins early morning and continues late evening. | TriMet schedule + TransitTracker. |
| MBTA Boston area | Arlington Center ↔ Lechmere. | The current routing changed April 5, 2026; older Clarendon Hill schedules can be misleading. | MBTA Route 87 page + alerts. |
| ART Arlington | Seven days a week. | Weekday peaks every 15 min; midday about 35 min; evenings about 30 min. Weekend pattern uses Pentagon City. | ART 87 current PDF/page. |
ART 87 Frequency at a Glance
| Day / period | Approximate service window | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Weekday AM peak | 6:00 AM–10:30 AM | Every 15 minutes |
| Weekday midday | 11:00 AM–4:15 PM | Every 35 minutes |
| Weekday PM peak | 4:15 PM–7:00 PM | Every 15 minutes |
| Weekday evening | 7:15 PM–10:15 PM | Every 30 minutes |
| Saturday | About 7:30 AM–11:30 PM | Every 30 minutes |
| Sunday | About 7:15 AM–6:45 PM | Every 30 minutes |
Route 87 Ticket Price by Transit Agency
There is no single Route 87 fare. Each operator sets its own ticket price, transfer rules and accepted payment methods.
CTA’s live fare page should be checked before travel. Fare information may differ by Ventra/contactless payment and cash, and cash payments may not include the same transfer benefit.
CTA faresTriMet uses Hop Fastpass. Riders can tap a Hop card, phone or supported contactless payment. Adult fare caps at $5.60 for a day.
TriMet faresMBTA currently lists $1.70 for a local bus trip using CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, contactless payment or cash. Reduced fare is $0.85 for eligible riders.
MBTA faresART lists $2.25 adult fare. SmarTrip provides free bus transfers within two hours and applicable Metrorail transfer discounts.
ART faresMajor Route 87 Stops and Corridors
The following visual strips are orientation guides—not complete stop lists. Always use the agency’s official map or stop selector for the exact boarding location.
How to Track the 87 Bus in Real Time
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. Live or predicted arrival uses current operations data where available and may change as traffic conditions change.
Route 87 Alerts & 2026 Service Changes
Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Route 87 Service
Route 87 Accessibility
Route 87 Rider Checklist
- Confirm the city where your Route 87 operates.
- Confirm the transit agency.
- Check the current schedule effective date.
- Select weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
- Match the correct direction and destination.
- Use the exact stop name or stop ID.
- Check the current fare and payment method.
- Look at the live arrival tool where available.
- Check service alerts and temporary stop changes.
- Arrive about 5–10 minutes before the scheduled departure.
- Allow extra time for an unfamiliar transit center or transfer.
- Verify the last return bus before a late trip.
Official Route 87 Schedule, Fare & Alert Links
Official route map, first/last service spans, stop information, accessibility statement and current service alerts.
Open CTA Route 87Use CTA’s official tracking system for stop-specific bus arrival information.
Open CTA TrackerOfficial Airport Way/181st route overview, schedule links, map, alerts and TransitTracker access.
Open TriMet 87Current Hop Fastpass fares, contactless payment, reduced fares and daily/monthly fare caps.
Open TriMet faresCurrent Arlington Center–Lechmere schedule, route map and stop-level information.
Open MBTA 87Current stop closures, stop moves and service disruptions that can affect Route 87.
Open MBTA alertsOfficial Pentagon–Army Navy Drive–Shirlington schedule, frequency and map, effective April 2026.
Open ART 87Adult, senior, disability and student fares plus SmarTrip transfer information.
Open ART faresRoute 87 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Route 87 bus schedule?
There is no single nationwide Route 87 schedule. CTA, TriMet, MBTA, Arlington Transit and other agencies operate different Route 87 services. Identify your city and transit agency first.
What time does the 87 bus start?
The first Route 87 trip depends on the transit agency, direction and stop. For example, some CTA Route 87 terminal service starts around 4:00 AM, while other Route 87 systems use different operating hours.
What time is the last 87 bus?
The last bus differs by operator, direction and service day. Check the last departure from your actual stop rather than assuming the final terminal trip applies everywhere along the route.
Does Route 87 run on Saturday and Sunday?
Several major Route 87 services do. CTA Route 87, TriMet Line 87 and ART 87 operate on weekends, but schedule times and terminal patterns can differ from weekdays.
How often does the 87 bus run?
Frequency depends on the agency. TriMet states its Line 87 runs every 15 minutes or less most of the day. ART 87 runs every 15 minutes during weekday peak periods and less frequently at other times.
How much does Route 87 cost?
Fare depends on the operator. TriMet lists a $2.80 adult 2½-hour fare, MBTA local bus fare is $1.70, and ART lists a $2.25 adult fare. Check the official fare page before boarding.
Where can I track Route 87 live?
Use the operating agency’s official tracker or route page. CTA offers Bus Tracker, TriMet uses TransitTracker, and MBTA provides route-level real-time information and alerts.
Where can I find the Route 87 bus map?
Use the official transit agency route page because a generic search for “87 bus map” can show a completely different city’s Route 87.
What happened to the MBTA Route 87 Clarendon Hill trips?
Beginning April 5, 2026, all MBTA Route 87 trips were changed to operate between Lechmere and Arlington Center. The Route 87 pattern terminating at Clarendon Hill was discontinued.
How early should I arrive for Route 87?
For most trips, arrive about 5–10 minutes before the scheduled departure. Allow additional time for transfers, unfamiliar stops, weather or less frequent service.