Route 553 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
Route 553 is used by several transit agencies, so there is no single nationwide 553 bus schedule. In the United States, major examples include NJ TRANSIT 553 between Upper Deerfield and Atlantic City, Fairfax Connector 553 between Herndon and Reston, and MBTA 553 between Newton Corner and Roberts near Brandeis University.
Choose your city first. Then check actual departure times, operating days, direction, major stops, ticket prices, live tracking and the current official route map. This guide includes verified examples and the practical steps needed to board the right bus.
Which 553 Bus Schedule Do You Need?
The three main US Route 553 services have very different operating hours and fares.
Route 553 Rider Guide
Find Route 553 by City and Transit Agency
These are separate services. Use the matching official schedule instead of searching for a route number without a location.
553 Upper Deerfield – Atlantic City
This South Jersey route serves Upper Deerfield, Bridgeton, Vineland, parts of the Buena and Mays Landing area, and Atlantic City. Individual trips may follow different patterns.
Special attention: Confirm whether your selected bus serves Inspira Medical Center, Rowan College of South Jersey, Buena or a particular mall stop.
Official NJ TRANSIT MyBus553 Kingstream – Herndon – Fox Mill
Fairfax Connector Route 553 connects Herndon High School with Reston Town Center Metro via Herndon Metro and Reston South Park & Ride.
Special attention: Route 553 has morning and afternoon service with a long midday gap. It is not an all-day frequent bus.
Official Fairfax Route 553 Schedule553 Newton Corner – Roberts
MBTA Route 553 connects Newton Corner and Roberts/Brandeis through Waltham, serving locations near Waltham Station, Moody Street and Brandeis University.
Special attention: Select the direction toward Roberts or Newton Corner and confirm Saturday service separately.
Official MBTA Route 553 ScheduleRoute 553 in Australia
Route number 553 is also used by Australian transit systems. Examples include Transperth between Rockingham Station and Shoalwater via Waikiki Road, and Translink’s Queensland service in the Beenleigh/Loganholme corridor.
For the Queensland service, select the travel date and inbound or outbound direction in Translink’s official timetable.
Official Queensland Route 553553 Bus Schedule Comparison: Weekdays and Weekends
Service availability differs sharply across these three US operators. This comparison helps you avoid planning a trip on a day when your route does not run.
| Operator | Weekdays | Saturday | Sunday | Useful timing detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NJ TRANSIT 553 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Multiple trip patterns; selected through trips take roughly 2 hours. Confirm the actual boarding stop and branch. |
| Fairfax Connector 553 | Morning and afternoon | No regular service | No regular service | First northbound trip 5:40 AM; first southbound trip 6:05 AM. Large midday gap. |
| MBTA 553 | Yes | Yes, reduced trips | No regular service | Weekday terminal departures begin around 6:24–6:30 AM, depending on direction. |
NJ TRANSIT 553: Upper Deerfield to Atlantic City
NJ TRANSIT Route 553 is an important South Jersey bus service. It links Cumberland County communities with Atlantic County destinations, including Atlantic City Bus Terminal.
The route includes trips through or near Bridgeton, Vineland, Buena, Richland, Mays Landing and Pleasantville. Individual buses may serve different intermediate stops or route variations.
Route 553 Stops and Travel Corridor
This is a corridor diagram, not a street-accurate map or a claim that every trip serves all six locations. Check the specific route variation.
Important Stops Verified in NJ TRANSIT MyBus
Route 553 Branches: Why Two Buses May Serve Different Stops
Current schedule data identifies different destination and via-point labels. Some trips operate via Buena, some serve the Inspira hospital area, and selected trips have Rowan College service.
Colored bars distinguish route-pattern types. Their lengths are illustrative, not distances, travel durations or service frequencies.
Selected Route 553 Scheduled Trip Examples
A dated schedule-data snapshot for Friday, October 30, 2026, includes the following trips. These are examples from independently published NJ TRANSIT schedule data, not a complete operator-certified timetable.
| Direction | Departure | Arrival | Scheduled time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City → Upper Deerfield | 4:25 AM, AC Bus Terminal Gate #5 | 6:18 AM, Upper Deerfield Walmart | 1 hr 53 min |
| Atlantic City → Upper Deerfield | 6:35 AM, AC Bus Terminal Gate #5 | 8:50 AM, Upper Deerfield Walmart | 2 hr 15 min |
| Upper Deerfield → Atlantic City | 6:34 AM, Upper Deerfield Walmart | 8:46 AM, AC Bus Terminal | 2 hr 12 min |
Example source: October 30, 2026 Route 553 schedule data published by TransSee. These times are date-specific examples and may differ from future service days, branches or live arrivals. Use NJ TRANSIT MyBus or its Trip Planner before traveling.
How to Find the Exact NJ TRANSIT 553 Departure
- Open NJ TRANSIT MyBus.
- Find the route selector and choose Route 553.
- Select the direction: Upper Deerfield or Atlantic City.
- Choose the exact bus stop.
- Read the next predicted or scheduled arrival.
- Check the trip destination and any service-alert information.
- If you need a future-day trip, use the official schedule or Trip Planner rather than a current live prediction.
For the broader New Jersey timetable system, fare-zone explanations, stop-number rules and ticket options, see our NJ TRANSIT bus schedule and fare-zone guide. It explains how to use the official tools when the route PDF and MyBus appear to show different times.
Fairfax Connector 553: Herndon to Reston Bus Schedule
Fairfax Connector Route 553 operates between Herndon High School and Reston Town Center Metro Station, serving Herndon Metro and Reston South Park & Ride.
The current official route page publishes weekday morning and afternoon trips. Route 553 received schedule adjustments effective June 27, 2026.
Northbound: Reston Town Center Metro → Herndon High School
| Departure | Reston South P&R | Herndon Metro | Herndon High School |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:40 AM | 5:51 AM | 6:08 AM | 6:36 AM |
| 6:20 AM | 6:31 AM | 6:48 AM | 7:16 AM |
| 7:45 AM | 7:56 AM | 8:13 AM | 8:41 AM |
| 8:27 AM | 8:38 AM | 8:55 AM | 9:23 AM |
| 3:27 PM | 3:36 PM | 3:52 PM | 4:17 PM |
| 4:47 PM | 4:56 PM | 5:12 PM | 5:37 PM |
| 6:10 PM | 6:25 PM | 6:41 PM | 7:07 PM |
These are selected rows from the official weekday timetable, not every intermediate departure.
Southbound: Herndon High School → Reston Town Center Metro
| Herndon High School | Herndon Metro arrival | Reston South P&R | Reston Town Center Metro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:05 AM | 6:24 AM | 6:47 AM | 6:55 AM |
| 7:25 AM | 7:44 AM | 8:08 AM | 8:20 AM |
| 8:50 AM | 9:09 AM | 9:30 AM | 9:42 AM |
| 3:05 PM | 3:24 PM | 3:47 PM | 3:55 PM |
| 5:05 PM | 5:29 PM | 5:51 PM | 6:02 PM |
| 6:25 PM | 6:49 PM | 7:11 PM | 7:22 PM |
Fairfax 553 Route and Metro Station Boarding Points
How Long Does Fairfax Route 553 Take?
The first listed weekday northbound bus leaves Reston Town Center at 5:40 AM and reaches Herndon High School at 6:36 AM, a scheduled trip of 56 minutes.
The first listed southbound trip leaves Herndon High School at 6:05 AM and reaches Reston Town Center Metro at 6:55 AM, a scheduled trip of 50 minutes. Actual travel time depends on the trip, stop and traffic.
Open the official Fairfax Connector 553 schedule and map.
Fairfax Connector’s other corridors have different schedules and service days. For a nearby regional-network comparison rather than a direct Route 553 transfer recommendation, see our Route 301 guide covering Fairfax Connector and other operators. It explains a different Fairfax Metro-to-Metro bus and why the route number and direction must be checked carefully.
MBTA 553 Bus Schedule: Newton Corner to Roberts
MBTA Route 553 connects Newton Corner and Roberts/Brandeis through Waltham. It serves streets including Washington Street, River Street, Moody Street, Main Street and South Street.
Important landmarks include Waltham Station, Brandeis University and Boston Children’s Hospital’s Waltham area.
Selected Weekday Times: Newton Corner Toward Roberts
| Newton Corner | Waltham Station | Roberts / Brandeis | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:30 AM | 6:45 AM | 6:59 AM | 29 min |
| 7:04 AM | 7:22 AM | 7:39 AM | 35 min |
| 8:31 AM | 8:51 AM | 9:08 AM | 37 min |
| 12:16 PM | 12:35 PM | 12:52 PM | 36 min |
| 5:11 PM | 5:36 PM | 5:56 PM | 45 min |
| 8:28 PM | 8:45 PM | 9:00 PM | 32 min |
Selected weekday schedule-data examples from October 2026 MBTA GTFS-based listings. These are scheduled times, not real-time arrival predictions. Verify the travel date on the official MBTA page.
MBTA Route 553 Stops and Transfers
Useful MBTA 553 Connections
Where to Find the Official MBTA 553 Timetable
- Open MBTA Route 553.
- Choose the direction toward Roberts or Newton Corner.
- Select the service date.
- Check whether the date is a weekday, Saturday or holiday.
- Find your boarding stop on the route.
- Read the listed departures and available live arrival information.
- Check route alerts before leaving.
For Boston-area bus fares, CharlieCard and contactless payment, commuter rail connections and accessible travel, our MBTA bus schedule and Greater Boston transit guide provides the wider system instructions.
How to Find Your Correct Route 553 Bus Stop
Three agencies using the same route number can have completely different stop names, terminal layouts and direction labels. Use the following workflow before navigating to a bus stop.
Stop-Side and Direction Differences
Our Google Maps transit directions and bus-stop guide explains how to choose Transit mode, check the walking route, identify stop markers and distinguish scheduled times from live predictions.
Route 553 Bus Fare: How Much Does It Cost?
The fare depends on the bus operator. These three US Route 553 services use different fare systems.
Fare depends on the number of NJ TRANSIT Southern Intrastate zones traveled and the applicable ticket category.
Official NJ TRANSIT faresRegular local fare. The published qualifying senior/disability fare is $1.10.
Fairfax fare policiesStandard MBTA local bus one-way fare. Reduced fares and eligible pass rules may apply.
MBTA local bus faresWhy NJ TRANSIT 553 Has No Single Fare
NJ TRANSIT uses fare zones. A trip covering a small part of the corridor can cost less than a much longer journey from Upper Deerfield to Atlantic City.
This explains the zone-counting concept. The markers do not represent actual Route 553 fare-zone boundaries.
How to Calculate the NJ TRANSIT 553 Ticket Price
- Open NJ TRANSIT’s official Trip Planner or ticketing tool.
- Select bus travel and enter your origin and destination.
- Choose the correct date and time.
- Review the Route 553 itinerary.
- Check the number of travel zones and the resulting fare.
- Select the applicable one-way or other ticket product.
- Confirm the final price before payment.
Read NJ TRANSIT’s official zone-fare explanation.
How to Pay on Each Route 553
NJ TRANSIT
- Confirm the number of zones required.
- Buy an appropriate ticket through the NJ TRANSIT app, available ticket channels or supported onboard payment.
- Activate a mobile ticket as instructed before boarding.
- Use Tap & Ride or the appropriate fare procedure where available.
- Follow the driver’s instructions at boarding.
Important: Some NJ TRANSIT routes and transactions require exact fare. Drivers cannot make change.
Fairfax Connector
- Prepare a SmarTrip card or cash.
- Board at the posted Route 553 stop.
- Tap SmarTrip or deposit the correct fare.
- Use the same SmarTrip card for eligible transfers.
Important: Fairfax Connector does not provide cash change. Fareboxes do not accept pennies.
MBTA
- Prepare a valid CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, supported contactless payment or cash.
- Board at the designated bus stop.
- Tap or pay using the equipment and method supported.
- Keep the same payment method for eligible transfers.
Important: Confirm your fare category and payment compatibility before boarding.
Transfer Rules Worth Knowing
| Operator | Transfer guidance |
|---|---|
| NJ TRANSIT | For eligible intrastate trips requiring two buses, transfer rules and charges depend on the ticket, zones and trip. NJ TRANSIT’s published two-bus transfer is valid for two hours with additional charges where applicable. |
| Fairfax Connector | SmarTrip provides eligible free local bus-to-bus transfers within two hours. A regular-route transfer from Metrorail using SmarTrip is listed as free under current fare rules; cash does not provide the same transfer benefit. |
| MBTA | Current MBTA transfer rules depend on fare media. The September 2026 pilot allows additional eligible transfers within a two-hour period when using the same payment method. |
Always confirm the transfer policy applicable to your ticket before assuming that the connecting service is free.
How to Track the 553 Bus in Real Time
The correct tracking tool depends on the agency. A printed schedule is the planned timetable; a live arrival is a changing prediction where current vehicle data is available.
NJ TRANSIT MyBus: Website and Text Message
NJ TRANSIT offers MyBus through its website and mobile app. Riders can also obtain stop-level arrival information by text message.
- Find the five-digit NJ TRANSIT stop ID on the bus-stop sign or in MyBus.
- Text the stop ID to 69287.
- To filter a busy stop for Route 553, text the stop ID, a space and 553.
- Read the returned arrival information.
- Check whether an asterisk indicates a scheduled rather than GPS-predicted arrival.
Official NJ TRANSIT MyBus SMS instructions.
Fairfax Connector BusTracker
- Open Fairfax Connector BusTracker.
- Select “Bus Times, See Estimated Arrivals.”
- Choose Route 553.
- Select northbound or southbound.
- Find your exact stop.
- Read the estimated time or use the bus-location map.
The BusTracker also has a text-only/mobile view and can provide information about eligible notifications.
MBTA Live Arrivals
Open the MBTA Route 553 page, choose the direction and stop, and review upcoming arrivals or any alerts. MBTA’s rider tools can display available predictions, but a missing prediction does not necessarily mean a scheduled bus has been canceled.
Route 553 Accessibility, Wheelchair Boarding and Reduced Fares
Accessibility must be checked at both the vehicle and stop level. A route may use accessible buses while a particular stop has a steep curb, missing sidewalk, temporary construction or an unsuitable pedestrian connection.
Review accessible fixed-route bus service, reduced fares and Access Link paratransit eligibility where appropriate.
NJ TRANSIT accessibilityFairfax Connector provides wheelchair-accessible buses and reduced fares for qualifying riders. Confirm that your boarding stop can be used safely.
Fairfax Connector assistanceMBTA provides accessible bus information, reduced-fare programs and The RIDE paratransit for eligible passengers.
MBTA accessibility informationAccessible Boarding Checklist
- Confirm your exact stop and direction.
- Check ramp or boarding assistance where needed.
- Review curb, sidewalk and crossing conditions.
- Check temporary stop relocations.
- Confirm reduced-fare eligibility.
- Allow extra time for transfers.
- Check accessibility at the destination stop.
- Contact the agency if the route remains uncertain.
Route 553 Service Alerts: What to Check in 2026
Fairfax Connector Holiday Warning
Fairfax Connector’s 2026–27 holiday information identifies days when the network uses Sunday or Holiday Weekday service. Route 553 is not included in the published Holiday Weekday service list.
For example, on a holiday operated as Sunday service, a weekday-only Route 553 should not be assumed to run.
View Fairfax Connector holiday schedules.
553 Bus Problems and Practical Solutions
Confirm that Route 553 operates on your selected day and time. Check the timetable, GPS reporting status and service alerts. A missing live bus does not automatically indicate cancellation.
Route 553 has a long midday gap. Check other nearby Fairfax Connector services or Metrorail using the official trip planner instead of assuming another 553 will arrive soon.
Check the trip’s via-point and destination wording. Not all Route 553 trips serve every optional stop or branch.
Regular Sunday operation is not published for Route 553. Compare other available MBTA routes or commuter rail service for your journey.
Confirm the timetable effective date and service day. A PDF shows planned times; a tracker may show a newer prediction or a schedule-only result.
Check the route number, direction, bus headsign, bay or stop ID. At larger terminals, monitor announcements and current departure displays.
Route 553 Customer Service Numbers
703-339-7200
TTY: 703-339-1608.
Monday–Friday 5 AM–10 PM; weekends 7 AM–9 PM.
Fairfax Connector contactsWhat to Provide When Asking for Help
- Transit agency and city
- Route number 553
- Direction and destination
- Travel date and time
- Exact stop or stop ID
- Bus or trip details, if available
Route 553 Outside the United States
Transit route numbers are not globally unique. The following examples use the same number but have different stops, operators and payment systems.
Transperth 553 — Western Australia
Transperth Route 553 links Rockingham Station and Shoalwater via Waikiki Road. The operator’s Bus Timetable 128 includes routes 550, 551, 552 and 553 and is marked effective April 27, 2025.
Check the current timetable directory for revisions and any school-day or holiday variations rather than assuming that older departures remain valid.
Transperth schedules and journey planningTranslink 553 — Queensland
Queensland’s Route 553 serves the Beenleigh and Loganholme corridor. The official timetable supports date selection, direction selection and stop-by-stop trip details.
For example, the official October 30, 2026 timetable lists evening departures from Loganholme Station at 6:45, 7:45, 8:45, 9:45 and 10:45 PM on the displayed trips toward Beenleigh.
View Queensland 553 timetableRoute 553 Boarding Checklist
- Confirm the city and transit agency.
- Choose the correct Route 553 direction.
- Check weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
- Find the actual first and last trip at your stop.
- Check any route branches or limited trips.
- Confirm the stop ID, bus bay or terminal gate.
- Check the exact fare and payment method.
- Review transfer rules and walking time.
- Check live arrivals where available.
- Read active alerts before boarding.
- Confirm accessibility arrangements if needed.
- Check the return trip before leaving.
Route 553 Official Timetables, Maps, Fares and Tracking
The operating agency’s current route page is the final authority for schedules, fare rules and detours. Other timetable publishers can help explain service patterns but may display old or incomplete data.
Route 553, travel direction, official stop list and upcoming stop-level arrivals.
Open NJ TRANSIT MyBusSouthern Intrastate fare zones and adjusted prices effective July 1, 2026.
Check NJ TRANSIT pricesOfficial stop ID texting to 69287 and the meaning of scheduled-time markers.
Read MyBus texting instructionsCurrent official weekday timetable, stop IDs, route map, fare and BusTracker access.
Open Fairfax 553Estimated arrivals and bus-location tools for Fairfax Connector routes.
Track Fairfax busesRegular fare, reduced fare, SmarTrip, cash and two-hour transfer rules.
Read Fairfax faresOfficial Roberts–Newton Corner route and date-specific timetable.
Open MBTA 553Local bus fare, Charlie fare media, contactless payment and reduced fares.
Read MBTA fare rulesIndependent-site disclosure: BusSchedule.us does not operate NJ TRANSIT, Fairfax Connector, MBTA, Transperth or Translink services. It does not control bus schedules, guarantee live arrivals or sell official agency tickets.
Route 553 Bus Schedule FAQs
1. What is the Route 553 bus schedule?
There is no single Route 553 timetable. NJ TRANSIT operates Route 553 between Upper Deerfield and Atlantic City, Fairfax Connector operates a 553 route in Herndon and Reston, and MBTA operates a 553 route between Newton Corner and Roberts. Choose the correct operator first.
2. Where does NJ TRANSIT Route 553 go?
NJ TRANSIT Route 553 serves the Upper Deerfield–Atlantic City corridor, including locations around Bridgeton, Vineland, Buena, Mays Landing and other intermediate areas. Individual trip patterns may differ.
3. How much does NJ TRANSIT 553 cost?
Route 553 uses NJ TRANSIT’s zone-based fare structure. The price depends on your boarding and destination stops, the number of zones traveled and the applicable ticket type. Use the official Trip Planner or fare table for the exact price.
4. Does Fairfax Connector Route 553 run on weekends?
No regular Saturday or Sunday Route 553 service is listed. The current Fairfax Connector timetable shows weekday morning and afternoon trips, with a substantial midday service gap.
5. What time does Fairfax Route 553 start?
The official northbound timetable lists its first weekday departure from Reston Town Center Metro at 5:40 AM. The first southbound trip from Herndon High School is listed at 6:05 AM. Your intermediate stop has a later scheduled time.
6. How much is the Fairfax Connector 553 fare?
Fairfax Connector Route 553 has a published regular base fare of $2.25. The qualifying senior and disability reduced fare is $1.10. SmarTrip and cash are supported under the agency’s fare rules.
7. Does MBTA 553 run on Sunday?
No regular Sunday service is listed for MBTA Route 553. The route operates on weekdays and has a reduced Saturday timetable. Select your actual date on the official MBTA page.
8. What is the MBTA 553 fare?
MBTA Route 553 uses the local bus fare, published at $1.70 for a standard one-way ride. Eligible reduced fares and transfer rules depend on the payment method and rider category.
9. How do I track the 553 bus live?
Use NJ TRANSIT MyBus for New Jersey, Fairfax Connector BusTracker for Virginia or the MBTA Route 553 page and supported arrival tools for Massachusetts. Select the correct direction and stop, then distinguish live predictions from scheduled times.
10. Is Route 553 wheelchair accessible?
Accessibility services and reduced-fare programs are available through the respective operators, but passengers should confirm the exact vehicle, stop, curb and pedestrian conditions for their journey. Contact the operating agency if assistance is needed.