Route 55 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
55 bus schedule is not one single national timetable. Many transit systems use Route 55, including CTA in Chicago, SEPTA near Philadelphia, Ride On in Montgomery County, Broward County Transit, RIPTA, VTA, MBTA, and other agencies.
This guide helps you pick the correct operator first, then check the official Route 55 timetable, major stops, route map, fare, live bus tracker, alerts, accessibility, and the best time to arrive before boarding.
There Is No Single “Route 55 Bus Schedule”
Route 55 is reused by different transit agencies. A rider searching for Route 55 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map may need CTA 55 Garfield in Chicago, SEPTA 55 between Doylestown/Willow Grove and Olney Transportation Center, Ride On 55 in Montgomery County, Broward County Transit Route 55, RIPTA 55, VTA 55, MBTA 55, or another local Route 55.
Start with where you are boarding, not only the route number.
CTA, SEPTA, Ride On, BCT, RIPTA, VTA, MBTA, MTA, or another operator.
Check destination sign, terminal, branch, and stop side.
Fare can be free, flat fare, fare-card based, cash, or contactless.
Live arrival can change due to traffic, detours, GPS, weather, or cancellations.
What This Article Fixes Before Publishing
A strong “55 bus schedule” article should not be a thin list of links. It should solve the rider’s actual problem: finding the correct Route 55, avoiding wrong-city schedules, checking fares, knowing when to arrive, and using live tools properly.
Route 55 Bus Schedule Guide
Which 55 Bus Schedule Do You Need?
Use the cards below to match the most likely official Route 55. After opening the official page, select your travel date, choose direction, check your exact stop, review fare/payment rules, and recheck alerts before leaving.
CTA 55 Garfield — Chicago, Illinois
CTA Route 55 is the Garfield bus in Chicago. Riders commonly use it for Garfield/55th Street corridor trips, rail connections, local stops, and east-west travel across the South Side.
Boarding tip: CTA route pages show route status, schedule links, Bus Tracker, and stop lists. Check your exact eastbound or westbound stop before leaving.
SEPTA 55 — Doylestown / Willow Grove to Olney Transportation Center
SEPTA Route 55 is listed as Willow Grove and Doylestown to Olney Transit Center. It is a longer Philadelphia-area corridor, so the correct stop and direction matter a lot.
Boarding tip: check whether your trip goes to Doylestown, Willow Grove, or Olney. Not every stop has the same travel time or transfer options.
Ride On Route 55 — Germantown, Rockville and Shady Grove Area
Montgomery County Ride On Route 55 serves the Germantown Transit Center, Montgomery College-Rockville, Shady Grove-area connections, and local Montgomery County stops.
Boarding tip: Ride On route pages show destination signs. Match the sign on the front and right side of the bus before boarding.
Broward County Transit Route 55 — Commercial Boulevard Local
Broward County Transit Route 55 appears in official BCT schedule materials and third-party feed listings as a Commercial Boulevard local route. Use BCT’s official PDF and apps for current stops, fare, and live information.
Boarding tip: BCT schedule materials say buses pick up and drop off riders at posted BCT bus stop signs along the route.
RIPTA 55 — Admiral / Providence College
RIPTA Route 55 is listed as Admiral / Providence College. The official route page and PDF show schedule information, with an effective date shown for the current route file.
Boarding tip: college-area, downtown, and neighborhood stops can be busy. Check alerts and direction before heading to the stop.
VTA 55 — Old Ironsides Station to De Anza College
VTA Route 55 is listed as Old Ironsides Station – De Anza College. VTA’s route page includes schedules, route status, fare links, and a rider reminder to arrive early.
Boarding tip: VTA recommends arriving at the stop or station at least five minutes before the bus or train arrival time because times are approximate.
MBTA 55 — West Fenway to Arlington Station
MBTA Route 55 is commonly listed as West Fenway – Arlington Station. Because Boston-area routing and schedules can change by service period, use the official MBTA schedule page for current stop-level times.
Boarding tip: downtown and Fenway traffic can affect running time. Check MBTA alerts and live predictions before walking to the stop.
MTA M55 — W 44 St to South Ferry
Some New York riders type “55 bus schedule” when they actually need M55. MTA M55 is a Manhattan lettered route, not a plain Route 55.
Boarding tip: search “M55” instead of “55” to avoid route-number confusion. Use MTA Bus Time for live arrivals and service alerts.
Route 55 Times: First Bus, Last Bus and Approximate Ride Time
Route 55 timing is different for each agency. First bus, last bus, service frequency, ride time, and stop-level arrival depend on the operator, direction, weekday/weekend schedule, holidays, road conditions, detours, and the exact stop.
| 55 route | What to check | Timing guidance | When to arrive |
|---|---|---|---|
| CTA 55 Garfield | Eastbound/westbound direction, schedule PDF, CTA Bus Tracker, Garfield/55th Street stop list. | Use CTA Bus Tracker for current stop-level prediction because terminal times and mid-route stop times differ. | Arrive 5-10 minutes early, especially at rail connections or busy transfer stops. |
| SEPTA 55 | Doylestown, Willow Grove, or Olney direction; current PDF; map; SEPTA app or real-time tools. | Longer route segments mean travel time can vary by traffic, branch, and transfer point. | Arrive 5-10 minutes early; use more buffer for Doylestown or Willow Grove trips. |
| Ride On 55 | Germantown Transit Center, Montgomery College-Rockville, Shady Grove-area direction, route PDF and Ride On alerts. | Route 55 schedule PDF is marked effective January 11, 2026; recheck Ride On for service changes before travel. | Arrive 5-10 minutes early; confirm destination sign before boarding. |
| BCT Route 55 | Official BCT Route 55 PDF, posted BCT bus stop signs, app-based trip planning and fare page. | Use the PDF for scheduled timepoints and BCT/MyRide/SoFloGo-style tools for current trip planning where available. | Arrive 5-10 minutes early; allow extra time during storms, beach traffic, and corridor congestion. |
| RIPTA 55 | Admiral / Providence College schedule, route PDF, fare rules, and service alerts. | Check downtown, college, and neighborhood stop direction carefully because route timing differs by trip pattern. | Arrive 5-10 minutes early; allow more time near campuses or transfer points. |
| VTA 55 | Old Ironsides Station, De Anza College direction, VTA route page, trip planner, and service alerts. | VTA says times are approximate and riders should arrive at least five minutes early. | Arrive at least 5 minutes early; use 10 minutes if transferring or unfamiliar with the stop. |
Route 55 Ticket Price Depends on the Agency
There is no single Route 55 fare. Ticket price, mobile payment, contactless payment, cash rules, transfers, reduced fare, and passes are controlled by the transit agency operating your bus.
CTA fare pages list bus fare, reduced fare, student fare, cash fare, transfers, and Ventra/contactless payment options.
Use SEPTA’s current fare page for Key, contactless, transfers, passes, reduced fare, and Bus/Metro fare rules.
Montgomery County Ride On fare pages and 311 updates describe zero-fare policy on MCDOT buses. Recheck before travel.
MBTA bus fare information covers CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, contactless payment, cash, transfers, and reduced fares.
VTA fare information can include Clipper, mobile products, reduced programs, express rules, and pass options.
Broward County Transit, RIPTA, and MTA fare rules are separate. Check agency pages for exact cash, app, card, and pass rules.
Match CTA, SEPTA, Ride On, BCT, RIPTA, VTA, MBTA, MTA, or another operator.
App, fare card, exact cash, contactless, ticket, transfer, or pass.
Transfer benefits often require the same card, app, or tap method.
Senior, disability, youth, student, low-income, or local programs vary.
Load payment before the bus arrives to avoid delays.
Route 55 Stops: Confirm Direction, Stop ID and Terminal
A route number alone does not tell you where to stand. You must check the destination sign, route map, stop ID, stop side, terminal bay, and whether your trip is a full route, short-turn, branch, school-day, or limited pattern.
Other 55 Bus Schedule Searches to Check
Some riders may need a different Route 55 or a lettered route such as M55, 55N, 55A, or a local route variant. Use the official agency route finder instead of copying a timetable from another city.
Open CTA 55N
Open MTA M55
Example Map: Olney Transportation Center for SEPTA Route 55
This map is included because Olney Transportation Center is a major SEPTA Route 55 terminal and transfer point. Use it for location orientation only; SEPTA controls the official schedule, route map, fare, stop location, and alerts.
- Confirm your agency before using any map.
- Check the official route map for the exact stop.
- Use the agency live tool for current arrival.
- Check detours before walking to the stop.
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, road work, weather, events, operator availability, and GPS problems can change live arrival.
Use CTA Bus Tracker, SEPTA tools, Ride On tools, BCT tools, RIPTA alerts, VTA Trip Planner, MBTA tools, or MTA Bus Time.
Make sure the city and agency match your actual trip.
Match Garfield, Olney, Doylestown, Germantown, De Anza, Admiral, or another terminal.
Use stop name, stop ID, nearby landmark, terminal bay, or map pin.
Check again before leaving because live predictions can change.
Check Route 55 Alerts Before You Leave
Route 55 alerts can affect stops, terminals, transfer points, road corridors, campus trips, and late buses. Always check the operator’s alert page on the same day you travel.
Accessibility Details to Check for Route 55
Accessibility is both route-specific and stop-specific. A route may use accessible buses, but a stop can still be affected by curb design, sidewalk blockage, snow, construction, crowding, lighting, or temporary stop relocation.
Route 55 Boarding Checklist
- Confirm your city and transit agency first.
- Open the official Route 55 page, schedule tool, or PDF.
- Select today’s service day: weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or special schedule.
- Choose the correct direction and destination sign.
- Find your exact stop name, stop ID, platform, gate, or boarding bay.
- Check ticket price, cash rules, transfer rules, and accepted payment method.
- Check live arrival shortly before walking to the stop.
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early; use 10-15 minutes for terminals, transfers, or limited trips.
- Check alerts for detours, closed stops, road work, and service changes.
- For late return trips, verify the last bus from your actual stop, not the opposite terminal.
Official Route 55 Sources
Use these official or agency-controlled sources to confirm current schedules, fares, maps, live arrivals, and alerts. This article helps you choose the right Route 55, but the operating agency controls today’s rider information.
Use this for Chicago Route 55 schedule links, route status, stop list, map context, and CTA Bus Tracker access.
Open CTA 55Use this for Ventra, contactless, cash, reduced fare, student fare, passes, and transfer information.
Open CTA faresUse this for Doylestown/Willow Grove to Olney Transportation Center schedule information.
Open SEPTA 55 PDFUse this for route shape, corridor context, major stops, and transfer points.
Open SEPTA 55 mapUse this for Montgomery County Route 55 schedule, destination signs, service notes, and official PDF access.
Open Ride On 55Use this for Montgomery County Ride On fare policy, free-ride details, and local payment rules.
Open Ride On faresUse this for BCT Route 55 schedule, timepoints, service notes, and posted-stop guidance.
Open BCT 55 PDFUse this for Admiral / Providence College route page, current schedule file, alerts, and fare links.
Open RIPTA 55Use this for Old Ironsides Station to De Anza College schedule, route status, fare, and trip-planning links.
Open VTA 55Use this if your search was actually for Manhattan’s M55 bus between W 44 St and South Ferry.
Open MTA M55Route 55 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the Route 55 bus schedule?
There is no single Route 55 bus schedule. Route 55 is used by many transit agencies, so the correct timetable depends on your city, operator, direction, stop, and service day.
How do I find the correct 55 bus schedule?
Start with your city, then match the transit agency, route name, direction, service day, stop ID, official schedule, fare page, and live bus tracker.
Is CTA Route 55 the same as SEPTA Route 55?
No. CTA 55 is Chicago’s Garfield bus, while SEPTA 55 serves the Doylestown/Willow Grove to Olney Transportation Center corridor. They are completely different routes.
What time does the 55 bus start?
Start time depends on the agency, direction, terminal, and service day. Use the official timetable or trip planner for the first bus from your actual boarding stop.
What time is the last 55 bus?
The last Route 55 bus depends on direction and stop. Do not use the opposite terminal’s last departure as your return-trip time.
How much is the 55 bus ticket price?
Fare varies by agency. CTA bus fare, SEPTA Bus and Metro fare, Ride On zero-fare policy, MBTA bus fare, VTA fares, RIPTA fares, BCT fares, and MTA fares are separate. Always verify on the official fare page.
Can I pay cash on the 55 bus?
Cash rules vary. Some systems accept cash, some require exact fare, some offer free service, and some give better transfer benefits through fare cards or contactless payment.
Where can I see live Route 55 arrival times?
Use the official live tool for your agency, such as CTA Bus Tracker, SEPTA real-time tools, Ride On tools, BCT tools, RIPTA alerts/tools, VTA Trip Planner, MBTA predictions, or MTA Bus Time.
How early should I arrive for Route 55?
Arrive 5-10 minutes early for most stops. Use 10-15 minutes for terminals, transfers, unfamiliar stops, limited service, bad weather, or when buying/loading fare.
Where can I find the Route 55 map?
Use the official route page or PDF for your agency. A generic map search can show the wrong city, wrong stop side, outdated route pattern, or another agency’s Route 55.