AC Transit Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
AC Transit bus schedule searches usually mean one of four things: finding a specific bus line, checking next arrivals at a stop, comparing local and Transbay routes, or planning a trip between East Bay cities and BART, Amtrak, ferry, or San Francisco connections.
This guide explains how to use AC Transit schedules, route maps, ACT RealTime, fares, transfers, service alerts, accessibility features, Tempo boarding, All Nighter lines, and Transbay service without getting lost in multiple official pages.
Use the Line Number, Direction and Stop — Not Just “AC Transit Schedule”
The fastest way to find the correct AC Transit bus time is to open the official Maps & Schedules page, search your line number, choose the correct direction, then check your stop in ACT RealTime. The printed schedule shows planned trips; ACT RealTime shows same-day predicted arrivals.
Search by line number, route name, city, or transit center.
Confirm the destination sign before using a timetable.
Use stop name, stop ID, map pin, or nearby BART station.
Local, Transbay, cash, Clipper, and contactless fares differ.
Predictions can change from traffic, detours, or cancellations.
AC Transit Bus Schedule Guide
Which AC Transit Route Type Do You Need?
AC Transit has local East Bay routes, Tempo BRT, Rapid service, Transbay commuter service, school-focused lines, and All Nighter routes. Pick the route family first, then select the exact line.
Local Lines — East Bay Neighborhoods, BART & Transit Centers
Local lines connect Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont, Richmond, El Cerrito, Emeryville, Newark, and nearby communities with BART, Amtrak, ferry terminals, schools, hospitals, and major corridors.
Rider tip: many local lines have different weekday, Saturday, Sunday, and holiday patterns. Always select the travel date.
Tempo Line 1T — International Blvd / E. 14th BRT
Tempo Line 1T is AC Transit’s bus rapid transit service between Uptown Oakland and San Leandro BART via 11th/12th streets, International Blvd., and E. 14th St.
Rider tip: Tempo is not boarded exactly like a regular local bus. Tag Clipper or buy/activate valid fare before boarding and keep proof ready.
Rapid and Frequent Corridors
Rapid and frequent routes are useful when you want fewer stops or a stronger corridor pattern. Examples include San Pablo corridor service such as 72/72M/72R and busy local lines like 51A or 51B.
Rider tip: a Rapid bus may skip stops that a local line serves. Check the stop list before choosing a faster-looking bus.
Transbay Lines — East Bay to San Francisco / Peninsula
Transbay lines cross major Bay Area bridges and connect East Bay neighborhoods with San Francisco, the Peninsula, and the Salesforce Transit Center area depending on the line.
Rider tip: if you use a Transbay bus only for local East Bay travel, tell the driver before tagging your Clipper card.
All Nighter Lines — Late-Night Service
AC Transit lists All Nighter service on lines such as 800, 801, 802, 805, 840, 851, and 1T. These routes help when BART is closed or when you need overnight coverage.
Rider tip: late-night stops can be less visible. Arrive early, stand where the operator can see you, and check ACT RealTime before leaving.
School and Supplementary Service
AC Transit also publishes school-focused and supplementary service lines, often numbered in the 600 series, plus selected school-serving trips on other routes.
Rider tip: school service can change with semester, school-day, or fall service adjustments. Confirm the exact school line before relying on it.
How to Read AC Transit Bus Times Correctly
AC Transit schedule pages let riders search by line, city, line type, and transit center. The useful detail is not just the first row of a timetable; it is the direction, destination, stop, service day, transfer point, and whether a service change has updated the schedule.
| Need | Best official tool | What to check | Common rider mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planned schedule | AC Transit Maps & Schedules | Line number, destination, weekday/Saturday/Sunday/holiday schedule, printable timetable, and upcoming effective date. | Using the opposite direction or an old PDF after a service change. |
| Next bus at my stop | ACT RealTime or AC Transit Mobile App | Stop prediction, vehicle location, crowding icon, and service alert icon. | Treating a real-time prediction as guaranteed. |
| Trip from BART | Trip Planner + line schedule | BART station, bus bay/stop, walking time, transfer window, and late return. | Not checking whether the return bus uses a different stop side. |
| Transbay commute | Transbay line map + fares | Bridge direction, Salesforce Transit Center bay, peak-only trips, and Transbay fare. | Assuming a local fare applies to a Transbay ride. |
| Late-night ride | All Nighter line page + ACT RealTime | Overnight route, exact stop, safety/visibility, and long headway. | Waiting at an unserved stop after BART closes. |
AC Transit Stops: Think in Corridors, Hubs and Direction
Many AC Transit routes connect through BART stations and major East Bay corridors. When planning, identify the corridor first, then use the official line map to choose the correct stop side.
AC Transit Fare: Local, Transbay, Cash, Clipper and Contactless
AC Transit fares changed effective July 1, 2026. Local fare, Transbay fare, day pass caps, discounted fares, cash payment, contactless payment, and Tempo proof-of-payment are different details riders should not mix together.
Cash local adult single ride is listed at $3.00. Use the same payment account to receive eligible transfer benefits.
Transbay trips use a different fare than local trips. A local-to-Transbay upgrade may apply when transferring or upgrading fare.
Cash day pass is listed at $6.50. Day pass coverage runs until 3:00 a.m. the next day when applied or issued.
Youth, seniors, and riders with disabilities can receive 50% off AC Transit fares and passes.
Tempo riders pay at the station and must carry proof of payment onboard. The cost is the same as local AC Transit fare.
The AC Transit app supports fare payment options, service alerts, customer service, favorites, and real-time predictions.
Identify whether your ride crosses a Bay Area bridge.
Clipper/contactless is faster and unlocks more transfer benefits.
Transfers require the same card, phone, or payment account.
Tempo uses station payment and proof-of-payment rules.
Youth, senior, disability, and Clipper START discounts may help.
When AC Transit Means Transbay Service
For East Bay to San Francisco or Peninsula travel, use AC Transit Transbay line pages rather than a local route page. AC Transit’s Transbay service includes bridge-crossing routes, downtown San Francisco stops, Salesforce Transit Center service, selected all-day/weekend lines, and late-night All Nighter coverage when BART is closed.
Scheduled Time vs ACT RealTime Arrival
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. ACT RealTime is a same-day prediction based on live bus information where available. Live predictions can change because of traffic, detours, construction, events, weather, operator availability, canceled trips, bridge congestion, or GPS/data issues.
Use the official web tool or AC Transit Mobile App.
Enter your line number such as 1T, 6, 51A, F, NL, or 800.
Match the destination sign and whether the trip is local or Transbay.
Stop gives prediction information; bus gives vehicle information.
Digital stop signs may show different information from the latest engine.
Check AC Transit Alerts Before You Leave
AC Transit service alerts can include trip cancellations, construction detours, temporary stop closures, permanent stop moves, event reroutes, school service changes, and service-change updates. For the latest alerts, AC Transit points riders to ACT RealTime and its service alerts page.
Accessibility, Boarding, Bikes and Stop Safety
AC Transit states that all buses have accessibility features such as ramps or lifts, kneeling, priority seating, wheelchair securement areas, stop announcements, and onboard next-stop information. Riders can ask the operator to kneel the bus or deploy the ramp/lift when needed.
Why Google Maps, Transit App and AC Transit Times Can Differ
AC Transit provides schedule, stop, route, API, GTFS, and real-time data for apps and developers. However, AC Transit warns that third-party tools may not exactly match AC Transit’s own website or systems. For the most accurate rider experience, use AC Transit RealTime, the official mobile app, and the official trip planner.
Main Hub Map: 12th St / Oakland City Center BART Area
Downtown Oakland is a useful orientation point because many AC Transit lines connect through or near 12th St/Oakland City Center, 19th St Oakland, and nearby downtown stops. Use this map for location context only; use the official AC Transit line map and ACT RealTime for your exact stop ID and direction.
- Check whether your stop is local, Transbay, Rapid, or All Nighter.
- Use ACT RealTime for the next bus at your exact stop.
- Confirm the destination sign before boarding.
- For San Francisco trips, verify Salesforce Transit Center bay and Transbay fare.
How to Ride AC Transit Without Confusion
- Search by exact line number, not just “AC Transit bus schedule.”
- Choose weekday, Saturday, Sunday, or holiday schedule correctly.
- Confirm route direction and destination sign before using a time.
- Use ACT RealTime for the exact stop prediction.
- Check service alerts for stop closures, detours, and cancellations.
- For Tempo 1T, pay at the station before boarding and keep proof of payment.
- For Transbay, check the higher fare and Salesforce Transit Center details.
- For late-night service, verify All Nighter stop and direction before leaving.
- Tell the driver before tagging if using a Transbay bus for local service.
- Request your stop about a block before you need to exit.
Official AC Transit Bus Schedule Sources
Use these official pages to confirm current AC Transit routes, schedules, stops, fares, service alerts, accessibility, and live arrival information. Third-party apps are useful, but official AC Transit tools should control your final trip decision.
Line search, local lines, Transbay lines, All Nighter lines, city filters, transit center filters, maps, and schedules.
Open maps and schedulesOfficial real-time bus prediction tool. Click stops for prediction information and buses for vehicle information.
Open ACT RealTimeReal-time predictions, service alerts, fare payment integration, customer service, favorite stops, and accessibility support.
Open mobile app pageCurrent local, Transbay, cash, Clipper/contactless, discount, pass, transfer, and Tempo payment details.
Open fare pageCurrent stop closures, detours, service changes, canceled trip information, and alert guidance.
Open service alertsBoarding, exiting, accessibility features, animals, stop requests, stroller rules, and rider safety basics.
Open bus basicsBridge-crossing routes, Salesforce Transit Center details, park-and-ride notes, Wi-Fi, and Transbay rider information.
Open Transbay pageOfficial GTFS, route, stop, schedule, and real-time data information for developers and transit apps.
Open data resource centerAC Transit Bus Schedule FAQs
Where can I find the current AC Transit bus schedule?
Use the official AC Transit Maps & Schedules page to search by line number, city, line type, or transit center. Then use ACT RealTime or the AC Transit Mobile App for same-day arrival predictions at your stop.
How do I check the next AC Transit bus at my stop?
Open ACT RealTime, search your line, choose direction, and select your stop. You can click a stop for prediction information or a bus for vehicle information.
What is the AC Transit local bus fare?
As of the July 1, 2026 fare table, the adult local single ride is $2.75 with Clipper or contactless payment and $3.00 with cash. Discounted fare options are available for eligible riders.
What is the AC Transit Transbay fare?
The adult Transbay single ride is listed at $6.50. Transbay trips use different fare rules than local trips, so check the official fare page before boarding.
Does AC Transit have free transfers?
AC Transit lists unlimited free local transfers within two hours of the first ride when using Next-Generation Clipper or contactless payments. Riders must use the same card or payment account.
What is AC Transit Tempo Line 1T?
Tempo Line 1T is AC Transit’s bus rapid transit service between Uptown Oakland and San Leandro BART via International Blvd. and E. 14th St. Tempo riders pay at the station before boarding and must carry proof of payment.
Which AC Transit buses run late at night?
AC Transit lists All Nighter routes such as 800, 801, 802, 805, 840, 851, and 1T. Always confirm the exact stop, direction, and current service alerts before late-night travel.
Does AC Transit go to San Francisco?
Yes. AC Transit operates Transbay routes across major Bay Area bridges to downtown San Francisco and other regional destinations depending on the line. Check the Transbay page for route, stop, and fare details.
Are AC Transit buses accessible?
AC Transit says all buses include accessibility features such as ramps or lifts, kneeling, priority seating, wheelchair securement areas, stop announcements, and onboard next-stop information.
Where do I check AC Transit service alerts?
Check the official AC Transit Service Alerts page and ACT RealTime before leaving. Alerts may include stop closures, detours, service changes, trip cancellations, and temporary or permanent stop moves.