Route 88 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map

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2026 Route 88 Bus Schedule Finder

Route 88 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map

The 88 bus schedule depends on your city. Route 88 is operated by different transit agencies, including CTA in Chicago, NJ TRANSIT in New Jersey, MBTA in the Boston area, and SEPTA in Philadelphia. These buses have different stops, departure times, fares and service patterns.

Find your Route 88 below, then check its first and last bus, weekday and weekend service, route map, fare, live arrivals, accessibility and any temporary detours. The guide also explains exactly what to select after opening the official transit website.

Find My Route 88 Bus Times Ticket Prices Service Alerts
Route number 88
Search intent Multi-agency route finder
Main cities Chicago, NJ, Boston, Philadelphia
Exact arrival Official stop tracker
Reviewed October 30, 2026
Quick answer

Where Can I Find the Correct 88 Bus Schedule?

First identify the city where you want to board. Then match the transit agency and route name. Do not use a Route 88 timetable from another state.

City / area Agency Route 88 Main connection
Chicago, Illinois CTA 88 Higgins Jefferson Park Blue Line / Devon-Canfield
North Bergen / Jersey City, New Jersey NJ TRANSIT 88 and 88C variation Journal Square Transportation Center
Somerville / Cambridge, Massachusetts MBTA 88 Clarendon Hill–Lechmere Davis / Lechmere
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania SEPTA 88 Bethayres / Frankford-Gregg Frankford Transportation Center
Important: Route 88 is not one nationwide bus service. A fare, stop name, first-bus time or route map from Chicago does not apply to the New Jersey, Massachusetts or Philadelphia bus. Always confirm the transit operator before boarding.

Route 88 Schedule Guide

Choose the correct operator

Which Route 88 Bus Are You Looking For?

These four U.S. Route 88 services have different schedules. Match the route’s destination, not only the number displayed on the bus.

Chicago, Illinois

CTA Route 88 Higgins

Route: Jefferson Park Transit Center to the Devon/Canfield area, with a loop through Harlem, Talcott, Canfield, Devon and Avondale.

Key connection: Jefferson Park Blue Line and Metra.

Service: Weekday, Saturday and Sunday.

Best tool: CTA Bus Tracker for a stop-specific predicted arrival.

Official CTA 88 Bus Tracker
New Jersey

NJ TRANSIT Route 88

Route: North Bergen–Jersey City–Journal Square.

Important variation: 88C via Central Avenue. Do not assume the 88 and 88C serve identical stops.

Key connection: Journal Square Transportation Center, with PATH connections.

Best tool: NJ TRANSIT MyBus using route, direction and five-digit stop ID.

Official MyBus Fare & Zones
Greater Boston, Massachusetts

MBTA Route 88

Route: Clarendon Hill–Lechmere Station via Highland Avenue.

Important stops: Davis, Highland Avenue, Grove Street and Lechmere.

Connections: Red Line at Davis and Green Line at Lechmere.

Best tool: MBTA Route 88 schedule and MBTA Go for available arrival predictions.

Official MBTA 88 Bus Alerts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

SEPTA Route 88

Route: Frankford Transportation Center to Bethayres or Frankford-Gregg-area destinations.

Important corridor: Northeast Philadelphia, Holme-Pennypack and the Bethayres area.

Connections: Frankford Transportation Center and selected regional bus and rail services.

2026 issue: A construction-related Route 88 detour is scheduled through December 12.

Official SEPTA 88 Route Alerts
Schedule and operating times

Route 88 First Bus, Last Bus and Frequency

The schedule must be checked by city, direction and service day. CTA publishes clear terminal spans for Chicago Route 88. For the other agencies, this guide provides dated examples and the correct tool for obtaining each stop’s current departure.

Agency First/last bus information Frequency and important note
CTA 88 Higgins Weekdays: approximately 4:45–4:55 AM starts, depending on direction; final terminal departures around 10:15–10:30 PM. Weekends begin later. See the detailed CTA table below.
NJ TRANSIT 88 / 88C Different times for North Bergen, Journal Square and the 88C Central Avenue variation. Use the current route timetable and MyBus for your five-digit stop ID; do not apply one branch’s schedule to another.
MBTA 88 On October 30, 2026, an example scheduled Lechmere departure toward Clarendon Hill was 5:40 AM. Service varies through the day, with additional evening and after-midnight trips. Check your selected date.
SEPTA 88 The active service pattern includes trips with different Bethayres, Holme-Pennypack or Frankford-Gregg destinations. Some trips do not serve every outer timepoint. Use the latest timetable, destination note and detour alert.
What “first bus” really means A first-bus time at a terminal is not the first arrival at every intermediate stop. The time at your actual boarding stop can be later. The same rule applies to the last bus in the opposite direction.
Chicago Route 88

CTA Route 88 Higgins: Weekday and Weekend Schedule

CTA Route 88 Higgins connects Jefferson Park Transit Center with the Devon/Canfield area, using the Higgins corridor and a loop through Harlem, Talcott, Canfield, Devon and Avondale.

The route is especially useful for riders connecting to the Blue Line at Jefferson Park or Harlem, as well as nearby Northwest Side neighborhoods.

Official CTA Route 88 Operating Spans

Day Direction First terminal departure Last terminal departure
Monday–Friday Devon/Canfield → Jefferson Park 4:55 AM 10:30 PM
Monday–Friday Jefferson Park → Devon/Canfield 4:45 AM 10:15 PM
Saturday Devon/Canfield → Jefferson Park 5:55 AM 10:30 PM
Saturday Jefferson Park → Devon/Canfield 5:45 AM 10:15 PM
Sunday Devon/Canfield → Jefferson Park 7:00 AM 10:25 PM
Sunday Jefferson Park → Devon/Canfield 6:45 AM 10:15 PM

Source: CTA’s official Route 88 Higgins page. These are terminal operating spans, not stop-specific live departures.

CTA 88 Stop and Corridor Diagram

Illustrative corridor sequence — not a street map
1 Jefferson Park
2 Higgins Avenue
3 Harlem Blue Line
4 Harlem / Talcott
5 Devon / Canfield
6 Loop / Return

How to Check an Exact CTA Route 88 Stop

  1. Open the official CTA Route 88 page.
  2. Choose the Schedule Brochure or Bus Stop List.
  3. Confirm eastbound or westbound service.
  4. Find the correct day: weekday, Saturday or Sunday.
  5. Identify your nearest intersection or bus stop.
  6. Open CTA Bus Tracker for the predicted arrival.
  7. Confirm the bus destination before boarding.
Chicago holiday rule CTA generally uses Sunday schedules on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, or observed dates. Confirm any special holiday notice for your actual trip.

For Chicago riders making a transfer to another CTA route, the Blue Line or a Night Owl service, our Chicago CTA bus schedules and Bus Tracker guide explains stop IDs, route selection, fares and rail connections.

New Jersey Route 88

NJ TRANSIT Route 88: North Bergen, Jersey City and Journal Square

NJ TRANSIT Route 88 connects North Bergen and Jersey City with Journal Square Transportation Center. It is not the same service as Chicago CTA 88.

One detail deserves special attention: NJ TRANSIT operates an 88C via Central Avenue variation. Depending on your boarding stop, the distinction between Route 88 and Route 88C can determine whether the bus serves your location.

Journal Square Important terminal for bus connections and PATH service.
JFK Boulevard Important corridor with multiple Route 88 stops.
Central Avenue Relevant to the 88C routing variation.

Route 88 vs 88C: Why the Difference Matters

Route pattern What it means What to check
88 North Bergen–Jersey City–Journal Square service. Destination sign, exact stop and scheduled direction.
88C A routing variation using Central Avenue. Whether the specific trip serves your Central Avenue or JFK Boulevard stop.

How to Find the Current NJ TRANSIT 88 Bus Time

  1. Open NJ TRANSIT MyBus.
  2. Select bus Route 88.
  3. Choose North Bergen or Jersey City direction.
  4. Select the exact boarding stop from the list.
  5. Check the five-digit stop ID.
  6. Read the upcoming arrivals for Route 88.
  7. Confirm whether the result is a GPS prediction or a scheduled trip.
  8. Check for any 88C variation before boarding.

Useful real stop example: NJ TRANSIT’s official MyBus system identifies Journal Square Transportation Center toward North Bergen as Stop #20883. Use that number only for the matching direction and location, not for all Journal Square stops.

Can You Check NJ Route 88 by Text Message?

Yes. NJ TRANSIT publishes a MyBus text service using the five-digit stop ID and shortcode 69287. At a stop serving several bus routes, the agency also allows riders to narrow the request with a route number.

Text-message example If you are physically at a stop labeled 20883 and want Route 88, use the current instructions printed on the sign or in MyBus. Confirm the stop’s direction before sending a request. Standard messaging charges or service limits may apply.

How Much Is NJ TRANSIT Route 88?

NJ TRANSIT does not publish one universal fare for every Route 88 journey. The ticket price depends on fare zones and the boarding and destination points.

  1. Open the NJ TRANSIT fare or Trip Planner page.
  2. Choose Bus.
  3. Enter Route 88 or your trip origin and destination.
  4. Confirm the correct journey and fare zones.
  5. Choose the correct passenger category.
  6. Buy or prepare the appropriate fare.

To understand NJ TRANSIT zone counting, the mobile app, fare purchases and MyBus predictions in more detail, read our NJ TRANSIT bus timetable and fare-zone guide.

Do not guess the fare from distance alone. NJ TRANSIT uses fare zones, and route variations can affect the journey. Verify the exact ticket price before you board.
Greater Boston Route 88

MBTA Route 88: Clarendon Hill–Lechmere Station

MBTA Route 88 runs between Clarendon Hill Busway and Lechmere Station via Highland Avenue in Somerville. It serves Davis, providing a connection with the Red Line, and reaches Lechmere for Green Line connections.

Simplified MBTA 88 travel corridor
1 Clarendon Hill
2 Teele Square
3 Davis
4 Highland Avenue
5 McGrath Highway
6 Lechmere

Selected MBTA 88 Weekday Departures

The examples below reflect the schedule published for Friday, October 30, 2026, and are included to show how one bus travels between timepoints. They are not live predictions or a substitute for a future travel date’s timetable.

Departure from Lechmere 125 Highland Ave Grove St / Highland Ave Clarendon Hill
5:40 AM 5:45 AM 5:50 AM 5:58 AM
6:08 AM 6:13 AM 6:18 AM 6:26 AM
6:33 AM 6:42 AM 6:48 AM 6:57 AM

These selected departure examples were cross-checked against a date-specific presentation of MBTA’s schedule data. The official MBTA page controls the current timetable.

Example Travel Time: Lechmere to Clarendon Hill

5:40 AM example 18 min Lechmere to Clarendon Hill.
6:08 AM example 18 min Lechmere to Clarendon Hill.
6:33 AM example 24 min Lechmere to Clarendon Hill.

Travel time varies with traffic, boarding activity and scheduled service patterns. An early-morning example should not be treated as the guaranteed duration of a rush-hour journey.

How to Read the Official MBTA Route 88 Schedule

  1. Open MBTA Route 88.
  2. Select Clarendon Hill or Lechmere direction.
  3. Choose your travel date.
  4. Find your nearest stop or major timepoint.
  5. Read the scheduled departure.
  6. Check any available predicted arrival and service alerts.
  7. Confirm the stop sign and destination before boarding.

For transfers between MBTA buses, the Red Line at Davis, the Green Line at Lechmere and other Boston transit services, our MBTA bus schedules, fares and live-arrival guide explains the system’s route and stop tools.

Late-night timing tip MBTA Route 88 can have departures after midnight. A trip listed at 12:30 AM may belong to the prior evening’s service pattern. Select the exact travel date and verify the last return trip in your direction.
Philadelphia Route 88

SEPTA Route 88: Bethayres, Holme-Pennypack and Frankford

SEPTA Route 88 serves Northeast Philadelphia and surrounding areas, with trips to Frankford Transportation Center and outer destinations including Bethayres or the Frankford-Gregg area.

This route requires special attention because not every trip travels to the same outer terminal. Some scheduled trips begin or end earlier, and destination labels can differ.

Simplified SEPTA 88 corridor and branches
1 Frankford TC
2 Cottman / Hawthorne
3 Holme Circle
4 Welsh Road
5 Frankford-Gregg Area
6 Bethayres Branch

This diagram summarizes major areas and terminal variations. It is not a promise that one bus travels to both outer destinations or a geographically accurate route map.

Why SEPTA Route 88 Has More Than One Destination

Bethayres trips

Some Route 88 services continue toward the Bethayres area. Riders near the regional rail station or hospital area should verify the correct terminal and timepoint.

Frankford-Gregg / shorter trips

Other trips serve a different outer segment. A timetable dash may mean that the bus does not serve a particular timepoint.

SEPTA Route 88 Schedule PDF

An official SEPTA Route 88 PDF indexed at the schedule document address carries an August 24, 2025 effective date. SEPTA introduced broader bus-network changes in 2026, so a saved older PDF should not automatically be treated as the latest timetable.

Check the effective date. Open the current SEPTA Route 88 schedule and confirm the timetable cover or service period before using printed departures. The agency’s live schedule and current alerts should take priority for October 2026 travel.

How to Find the Correct SEPTA 88 Departure

  1. Open SEPTA Route 88.
  2. Select the appropriate travel date.
  3. Choose the direction toward Frankford Transportation Center or your required outer destination.
  4. Open the timetable or schedule PDF.
  5. Confirm the timetable’s effective date.
  6. Read the destination and branch notes carefully.
  7. Find your boarding timepoint.
  8. Check SEPTA’s current route alerts before walking to the stop.

For Philadelphia riders connecting at Frankford Transportation Center, our SEPTA bus schedules and Philadelphia transfer guide covers current route directories, fare payment, service changes and live bus information.

Fare comparison

How Much Does the 88 Bus Cost?

Route 88 fares are different in each city. The operating agency controls the price, transfer rules, payment methods and reduced fares.

CTA Chicago $2.25

Standard Ventra/contactless bus fare.

Cash: $2.50, without transfers.

NJ TRANSIT By zone

Price varies by origin, destination and fare zones.

Check: Official Trip Planner or NJ TRANSIT app.

MBTA Boston $1.70

Published local-bus single ride.

Reduced: $0.85 for eligible riders.

SEPTA Philadelphia $2.90

Published bus fare with SEPTA Key or contactless payment.

Cash: $2.90; no transfers.

Official Fare Links and Payment Rules

Agency Payment methods Important transfer rule
CTA Ventra, eligible contactless cards and cash. Eligible Ventra/contactless journeys include up to two additional rides within two hours; cash fares do not include transfers.
NJ TRANSIT Mobile app, eligible contactless payment, tickets or cash, subject to route rules. Zone-based pricing applies. Transfer and override rules depend on the trip.
MBTA CharlieCard, CharlieTicket, eligible contactless payment or cash. Benefits depend on fare media and connection type.
SEPTA SEPTA Key, eligible contactless cards or cash. First and second transfers may be free within two hours with qualifying electronic payment; cash does not include transfers.
Do not use one city’s fare card in another system. Ventra, NJ TRANSIT ticketing, MBTA Charlie fare media and SEPTA Key are separate payment systems.

Official fare pages: CTA, NJ TRANSIT, MBTA, and SEPTA.

Maps and stop identification

Where Can You Find the Route 88 Map?

There is no one accurate map for every Route 88 bus. Each transit agency publishes its own route map and stop locations.

Chicago CTA Map

Use the Route 88 page to open the Higgins corridor map, timetable and complete stop list.

Open CTA Route 88 map

New Jersey Route 88

Use NJ TRANSIT MyBus to choose direction and stop. The official stop selector lists JFK Boulevard, Central Avenue and Journal Square boarding points.

Find NJ Route 88 stops

MBTA Route 88

Use the MBTA route page to see the Clarendon Hill–Lechmere alignment, Davis connections, Highland Avenue stops and current notices.

View MBTA Route 88 map

SEPTA Route 88

Find the Frankford Transportation Center connection, outer destination branches and Northeast Philadelphia stops.

View SEPTA Route 88 map

How to Confirm the Correct Side of the Road

  1. Read the full name of the bus stop or nearby intersection.
  2. Confirm the route number and transit agency.
  3. Check the destination sign for the direction you need.
  4. Use the stop ID or map marker where available.
  5. Check whether the return stop is across the road or on another street.
  6. Look for temporary construction signs before boarding.
  7. Confirm the bus headsign as the vehicle approaches.
Accessibility tip A transit map does not always show sidewalk conditions, elevators, curb ramps or temporary barriers. Check the accessible route to the physical boarding point if you use a wheelchair, walker or another mobility aid.
Live arrival tools

How to Track the Route 88 Bus Live

Most major transit systems provide scheduled departure information, but live GPS predictions are not always available for every vehicle or stop.

1 Find agency Choose the correct transit operator.
2 Select Route 88 Check any variation such as 88C.
3 Pick direction Match the destination sign.
4 Choose stop Use the exact name or stop ID.
5 Check arrival Read predictions and alerts.

Official Tracking Tools by Agency

CTA Bus Tracker

Select Route 88, direction and stop to see estimated arrivals.

Open CTA Tracker
NJ TRANSIT MyBus

Select route, direction and stop, or search by five-digit stop ID.

Open NJ MyBus
MBTA Route 88

Open the official route page and use the available arrival and alert tools.

Check MBTA Arrivals
SEPTA Real-Time Information

Check the route, direction and live bus information using SEPTA’s tools.

Open SEPTA Status
Scheduled does not mean live. A timetable gives the planned service. A real-time prediction uses available tracking information. If the live system has no vehicle position, a scheduled time may still appear without proving that the bus is approaching.
2026 service alerts

Route 88 Detours and Temporary Stop Closures

Service alerts are route-specific. The most useful alert is the one that affects your exact direction, boarding stop and travel date.

SEPTA Route 88: Construction Detour Through December 12, 2026

SEPTA has published construction-related detours affecting Route 88 in both directions, with a scheduled end in the early morning of December 12, 2026.

Southbound toward Frankford Transportation Center: The published detour uses Battersby, Harbison, Frankford and Devereaux before returning to the regular route.

Northbound toward Bethayres / Frankford-Gregg: The published detour uses Devereaux, Battersby, Frankford, Harbison and Battersby before returning to the normal route.

Additional stop issue: SEPTA has listed a discontinued stop at Battersby & Devereaux until further notice.

Check the current SEPTA Route 88 detour.

MBTA Route 88: Somerville Stop Changes

MBTA transit information has reported two relevant stop changes:

  • Broadway & Weston Avenue: A temporary closure affecting inbound travel. Suggested nearby stops include Broadway & Garrison Avenue or Broadway & Holland Street–Teele Square.
  • McGrath Highway & Poplar Street: A temporary relocated outbound stop near the front of the Mercedes-Benz dealership during construction, with the published notice extending toward December 28, 2026.

Verify active MBTA bus alerts and replacement stops.

Do not treat a dated notice as permanent. Roadwork, stop closures and replacement boarding locations can change. Open the current official alert before walking to the stop, especially if the original notice’s end date has passed.
Accessible travel

Route 88 Wheelchair Access, Reduced Fares and Boarding Help

Accessibility must be checked for the actual bus operator and stop. Vehicle access and stop access are different questions: a wheelchair-accessible bus may still be difficult to reach if the sidewalk, boarding curb or station elevator is closed.

CTA Chicago

CTA states that all CTA buses are accessible. The Route 88 corridor includes accessible Blue Line connections.

NJ TRANSIT

Check accessible stop and vehicle information. The agency offers reduced fares and Access Link paratransit for eligible riders.

MBTA Boston

Check the MBTA accessibility and alert pages, including accessible boarding paths at Davis and Lechmere.

SEPTA Philadelphia

SEPTA publishes accessibility guidance. Confirm accessible stops and temporary construction changes affecting Route 88.

Accessible Journey Checklist

  • Confirm the actual transit operator.
  • Check accessible boarding at the selected stop.
  • Look for elevator or sidewalk closures.
  • Check wheelchair ramp or lift guidance.
  • Review reduced-fare eligibility.
  • Confirm the destination stop is accessible.
  • Allow extra time for transfers.
  • Contact the agency if an alternate path is unclear.
Accessibility should never be assumed from a route number. Check both your boarding and arrival locations, and use the operator’s current accessibility information if you need a specific accommodation.
PDF schedules and holiday service

How to Download and Read the Correct Route 88 Timetable

Some official route PDFs are indexed long after publication. For example, CTA’s Route 88 PDF available in its document archive is labeled effective January 8, 2023, while a SEPTA Route 88 PDF carries an August 24, 2025 cover date.

Because route schedules can be revised, do not assume an old PDF remains current merely because it ranks in search results or is still hosted by the agency.

PDF Verification Steps

  1. Open the current official route page.
  2. Choose the schedule or PDF option.
  3. Read the document’s effective date.
  4. Check weekday, Saturday and Sunday tables separately.
  5. Read the route destination at the top of the table.
  6. Locate the relevant timepoint and trip.
  7. Read any footnotes, branch letters and dashes.
  8. Compare the document against active route alerts and live arrivals.
Holiday service may differ. A route can use a Sunday schedule on selected holidays, special-event service on another date, or reduced service during construction. Check the exact agency holiday notice before planning a time-sensitive journey.
Practical troubleshooting

Common Route 88 Bus Problems and Solutions

I cannot find Route 88 in the tracker.

Confirm the city and transit agency first. Then search the route, direction and exact stop. Different systems use different route-search methods.

The timetable and app show different times.

Check the service date, direction, active detours and whether the app is displaying a predicted arrival rather than a scheduled time.

My stop is missing from the PDF.

Printed tables usually include selected timepoints, not every physical stop. Use the official stop finder or arrival tracker.

I am on the wrong side of the road.

Check the destination sign and the stop ID. The correct opposite-direction stop may be across the street or at another nearby corner.

The bus has a different route ending.

Check whether the route uses a branch, short turn or variant such as NJ TRANSIT 88C or SEPTA’s different outer destinations.

I missed the last bus.

Check the operator’s trip planner for a rail connection, another bus, later service or a safe alternative. Do not assume the same route number has overnight service.

Official website micro-guide

How to Find Any Route 88 Schedule in Five Steps

1 Choose city Chicago, New Jersey, Boston or Philadelphia.
2 Open operator Use the official route page.
3 Choose direction Match the destination or branch.
4 Select date & stop Confirm the service day and boarding location.
5 Check live & alerts Verify arrival and stop changes.

Before leaving, also confirm the fare and payment method. NJ TRANSIT uses zone-based pricing, while CTA, MBTA and SEPTA have different published fare structures and transfer policies.

How Early Should You Reach the Stop?

As a practical precaution, arrive about 5–10 minutes early for an ordinary local bus stop and allow additional time when using a large transit center, making a transfer, dealing with construction or traveling with accessibility needs. This is general rider guidance rather than an official guaranteed boarding window.

Official references

Route 88 Timetable, Fare, Map and Alert Sources

Use the actual operator’s sources for current travel information. This independent article provides explanations, but the operating agency controls service times, fares, stops and real-time data.

CTA Route 88 Higgins

Chicago route map, operating spans, schedule brochure and stop list.

Official CTA 88
CTA Fare Information

Ventra, contactless payment, cash fares and transfer rules.

CTA fares
NJ TRANSIT MyBus

Route 88 directions, five-digit stop IDs and live arrival information.

NJ TRANSIT MyBus
NJ TRANSIT Fares

Zone-based fare calculation, ticket purchases and transfer rules.

NJ bus fare guide
MBTA Route 88

Clarendon Hill–Lechmere schedule, map and route-specific notices.

Official MBTA 88
MBTA Fare Information

Local bus fares, contactless payment and reduced fare categories.

MBTA bus fares
SEPTA Route 88

Bethayres, Frankford-Gregg and Frankford Transportation Center schedule information.

Official SEPTA 88
SEPTA Service Status

Construction detours, stop closures and current transit notices.

SEPTA alerts
Source review date: October 30, 2026 Route schedules and alerts can change after publication. Selected historical or date-specific schedule examples are clearly identified above. For an actual trip, use the operator’s currently effective timetable and stop-specific arrival information.

Independent-site disclosure: BusSchedule.us is an informational website and is not operated by CTA, NJ TRANSIT, MBTA or SEPTA. It does not control buses, sell official tickets or guarantee arrival times.

Before boarding

Route 88 Travel Checklist

  • Confirm the correct city and transit agency.
  • Check whether Route 88 has a branch or variation.
  • Select weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
  • Choose the correct direction and destination.
  • Identify the exact stop, bay or platform.
  • Check fare, transfer and payment requirements.
  • Review current construction and detour alerts.
  • Check live arrivals if available.
  • Verify accessibility at both ends of the trip.
  • Confirm the last return bus before leaving.
Frequently asked questions

Route 88 Bus Schedule FAQs

1. What is the Route 88 bus schedule?

Route 88 is used by different bus agencies. Chicago CTA, NJ TRANSIT, MBTA and SEPTA each operate their own Route 88. You must choose the city and transit agency before checking times, stops or fares.

2. Where does CTA Route 88 go in Chicago?

CTA Route 88 Higgins connects Jefferson Park with the Devon/Canfield area and serves the Higgins, Harlem and surrounding Northwest Side corridor. It provides Blue Line connections at Jefferson Park and Harlem.

3. What time does CTA Route 88 start?

On weekdays, CTA lists the first terminal departure toward Jefferson Park at 4:55 AM and toward Devon/Canfield at 4:45 AM. Saturday and Sunday first departures are later.

4. Does NJ TRANSIT Route 88 go to Journal Square?

Yes. NJ TRANSIT Route 88 connects North Bergen and Jersey City with Journal Square Transportation Center. Check the correct direction, stop ID and any 88C via Central Avenue variation before boarding.

5. What is the difference between NJ Route 88 and 88C?

Route 88C is a routing variation associated with Central Avenue. The exact stops and trips may differ from the regular Route 88, so use the official current timetable and bus destination sign.

6. Where does MBTA Route 88 go?

MBTA Route 88 connects Clarendon Hill and Lechmere Station via Highland Avenue in Somerville, including Davis. It connects with the Red Line at Davis and the Green Line at Lechmere.

7. Where does SEPTA Route 88 go?

SEPTA Route 88 connects Frankford Transportation Center with Northeast Philadelphia and outer destinations such as Bethayres or Frankford-Gregg. Not every trip serves every outer terminal.

8. How much does the Route 88 bus cost?

Fares vary by agency. CTA lists a $2.25 standard electronic bus fare, MBTA lists $1.70 for local buses and SEPTA lists $2.90 for bus rides. NJ TRANSIT uses fare zones. Check each operator’s current fare page.

9. How can I track the 88 bus live?

Use the transit operator’s tracker: CTA Bus Tracker, NJ TRANSIT MyBus, MBTA’s route and arrival tools, or SEPTA’s real-time information. Select Route 88, direction and the exact boarding stop.

10. Is Route 88 wheelchair accessible?

Accessibility depends on the transit operator, bus and boarding location. CTA states that all CTA buses are accessible. For NJ TRANSIT, MBTA and SEPTA, check current accessible-stop and service-alert information, particularly during construction.

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