Route 3 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
3 bus schedule is a broad route-number search because many different transit agencies use Route 3. A Route 3 bus in Chicago is not the same as Route 3 in Seattle, Nashville, Miami, Rhode Island, or St. John’s.
This upgraded rider guide helps you match the correct city and agency first, then check the official timetable, map, ticket price, approximate ride time, live bus arrival, alerts, accessibility, and stop direction before you leave.
There Is No Single “Route 3 Bus Schedule”
Route 3 is reused by many transit agencies. The correct timetable depends on your city, transit agency, direction, stop, date, and service day. Always open the official route page before relying on any bus time.
Start with where you are boarding.
CTA, Metro, WeGo, DTPW, RIPTA, Metrobus, or your local operator.
Check destination sign, terminal, and stop side.
Ticket price and payment rules vary by agency.
Live arrival can change on the same day.
What Was Missing and What This Version Adds
The earlier draft was useful, but it needed stronger rider-first details. This regenerated version fixes the most important gaps so the page is more helpful, explainable, and SEO-ready.
Route 3 Bus Schedule Guide
Which Route 3 Bus Are You Looking For?
Use this section to identify common Route 3 services. Open the official source, select your travel date, choose direction, then check your exact stop. This avoids the common mistake of using the wrong city’s Route 3 timetable.
CTA 3 King Drive — Chicago, Illinois
CTA Route 3 is the King Drive bus. The official route page shows service between the 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station area and the Fairbanks/Huron area.
Rider tip: CTA notes that first and last buses reach mid-route stops later than terminal times. Use the schedule, trip planner, or CTA Bus Tracker for your exact stop.
King County Metro Route 3 — Seattle, Washington
King County Metro publishes Route 003 with official schedule and map tools. The official schedule page uses a current effective period, so check that your travel date matches the active schedule.
Rider tip: confirm your direction and stop because downtown, trolley, hill, and transfer patterns can confuse first-time riders.
WeGo 3 West End — Nashville, Tennessee
WeGo Route 3 is the West End bus. The official page uses date and direction selection and can show route-specific alerts or detours.
Rider tip: downtown bays and detours matter. Check the route page shortly before leaving, especially if boarding near WeGo Central or downtown construction.
Miami-Dade Metrobus Route 3 — Miami, Florida
Miami-Dade Route 3 is listed as weekday and weekend service from Downtown Miami to the Aventura Mall Terminal via Biscayne Boulevard. Use official Miami-Dade pages for current schedule, map, fare, and payment details.
Rider tip: Biscayne Boulevard traffic can affect running time, so check live information and allow extra time for terminal boarding.
RIPTA 3 Oakland Beach — Rhode Island
RIPTA lists Route 3 as Oakland Beach. The route may appear with Warwick Avenue/Oakland Beach schedule information, so riders should carefully confirm the correct route, direction, and stop.
Rider tip: do not confuse Oakland Beach trips with nearby Warwick Neck or paired schedule information. Use RIPTA’s official route page and fare page before boarding.
Metrobus Route 3 — St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador
Metrobus Route 3 serves areas such as The Village Shopping Centre, Water Street, Kings Bridge Road, Torbay Road, Stavanger Drive, and Wedgewood Park.
Rider tip: Metrobus tells riders to have the mCard or cash fare ready as the bus approaches and to check service bulletins or route status before going to the stop.
How to Read Route 3 Times Correctly
Do not use one city’s Route 3 time for another city. Route 3 timing changes by agency, direction, stop, weekday, weekend, holiday, traffic, detours, and the exact boarding point.
| Route 3 example | What to check | Timing guidance | When to arrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA 3 King Drive | Terminal span, stop list, route status, Bus Tracker. | CTA publishes terminal-based first/last service spans. Mid-route stops are later than terminal starts, so use CTA Bus Tracker or the trip planner for your stop. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early and recheck CTA Bus Tracker. |
| King County Metro 003 | Route schedule, map, Trip Planner, current effective period. | Select direction and stop in the official schedule or trip planner. Do not rely on one downtown timepoint for the whole route. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early; allow extra time for transfers. |
| WeGo 3 West End | Date selector, direction selector, downtown bay, route alerts. | Some timepoint segments can be short, but full route time varies by stop, traffic, direction, and service day. | Arrive 5–10 minutes early, more at downtown bays. |
| Miami-Dade Route 3 | Aventura/Downtown direction, Biscayne Blvd traffic, payment method. | Use official trip planning and live tools because Biscayne Boulevard traffic can change ride time. | Arrive about 10 minutes early at major terminals. |
| Metrobus St. John’s Route 3 | Stop IDs, timepoints, route notes, current route table. | Use the exact table for your stop and direction. Some trips include route notes or alternate travel paths. | Be at the stop at least 5 minutes early and have fare ready. |
Route 3 Ticket Price Depends on the Agency
There is no national Route 3 fare. Ticket price, cash rules, transfers, reduced fare, day passes, and mobile tickets are controlled by the agency operating your bus.
CTA bus fare is listed at $2.25 with Ventra/contactless payment. Cash bus fare is listed separately at $2.50 and does not include transfers.
ORCA is the main regional payment method. Metro lists the adult single ride at $3.00 and a regional adult day pass option where applicable.
WeGo fare information lists local adult fare rules, QuickTicket/contactless options, fare capping, and exact-cash limitations.
Payment options include EASY Card, EASY Ticket, GO Miami-Dade Transit app, contactless payment, and cash. Transfer benefits depend on payment method.
Use RIPTA’s current fare page for cash, Wave, passes, transfers, and reduced fare rules. RIPTA no longer accepts old paper fare products on fixed-route service.
Metrobus uses mCard for most fare media except cash. The fare page notes that credit/debit cards are not accepted on board.
First match your city and operator.
Card, app, contactless, ticket, fare card, or cash.
Transfer windows depend on agency and payment type.
Youth, senior, disability, student, or low-income rules vary.
Load fare before the bus arrives.
Route 3 Stops: Confirm the Correct Direction
Route number alone is not enough. You must confirm the direction, destination sign, stop side, stop ID, and terminal or bay before boarding.
Example Terminal Map: Aventura Mall Transit Terminal
This map is included only as a practical example for Miami-Dade Route 3 because Aventura Mall is a known terminal area. For any other Route 3 city, use that agency’s official route map and stop locator.
- Confirm your city before using a map.
- Check the official stop ID or bus 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, cancellations, weather, events, 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 3 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 stop can still be affected by curb conditions, snow, construction, slope, sidewalk blockage, or temporary relocation.
Route 3 Boarding Checklist
- Confirm your city and transit agency.
- Open the official Route 3 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 transfers.
- Check alerts for detours, closed stops, or schedule changes.
- For late return trips, verify the last bus from your actual stop.
Official Route 3 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 schedule, map, stop list, route status, accessibility note, and Bus Tracker links.
Open CTA Route 3Ventra, contactless, cash fare, passes, and transfer information.
Open CTA faresOfficial schedule and map page for Seattle-area Route 3 service.
Open Metro Route 3Adult fare, ORCA, day pass, monthly pass, and reduced fare details.
Open Metro pricesRoute schedule, date selector, direction selector, alerts, and arrival information.
Open WeGo Route 3QuickTicket, contactless, mobile wallet, exact cash, and fare capping information.
Open WeGo faresOfficial Miami-Dade route listing and route-corridor information.
Open Miami-Dade route infoMetrobus fare, transfer rule, payment methods, and discount fare information.
Open Metrobus faresOfficial RIPTA route page for Oakland Beach service.
Open RIPTA Route 3Official schedule, timepoints, stop IDs, fares, route notes, and Next Bus tools.
Open Metrobus Route 3Route 3 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Route 3 bus schedule?
There is no single Route 3 bus schedule. The correct timetable depends on the city and transit agency operating that specific Route 3 bus.
How do I find the correct 3 bus schedule?
Start with your city, then confirm the agency, route name, direction, stop, service day, official schedule, and live bus tracker.
Is Route 3 the same in every city?
No. Route numbers are reused by many agencies. CTA Route 3, King County Metro Route 003, WeGo Route 3, Miami-Dade Route 3, RIPTA Route 3, and Metrobus Route 3 are different services.
What time does Route 3 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 3 bus?
The last bus depends on direction, terminal, stop, weekday, weekend, holiday, and any late-night or short-turn pattern.
How much is the Route 3 bus fare?
Fare depends on the agency. Example fares include CTA bus fare, King County Metro adult fare, WeGo local fare, Miami-Dade Metrobus fare, RIPTA fare rules, and Metrobus St. John’s fare. Always verify on the official fare page.
Can I pay cash on Route 3?
Some agencies accept cash, but rules vary. Some systems require exact fare, and cash may not include transfer benefits available with fare cards, contactless payment, or mobile tickets.
Where can I see live Route 3 arrival times?
Use the official agency tracker or endorsed trip planner, such as CTA Bus Tracker, King County Metro Trip Planner, WeGo arrival information, Miami-Dade transit tools, RIPTA alerts/tools, or Metrobus Next Bus.
How early should I arrive for Route 3?
Arrive 5–10 minutes early for most local bus 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 3 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.