Route B12 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
The B12 bus runs between Prospect Lefferts Gardens and East New York in Brooklyn. Operated by MTA New York City Transit, it connects Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue with the Alabama Avenue/Fulton Street area via Clarkson Avenue, Kings County Hospital, Albany Avenue, Empire Boulevard and East New York Avenue.
The B12 operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with frequent weekday service and wider intervals overnight. The regular local bus fare is $3.00 for most adults.
This guide explains the actual route, selected departure times, weekend frequency, hospital stops, subway transfers, OMNY payment, live bus tracking, accessible boarding and how to check your exact stop before leaving.
B12 Bus Schedule: What Riders Need to Know First
The B12 is a Brooklyn local bus providing all-day and overnight service between Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue and the East New York area near Alabama Avenue/Fulton Street.
Open the official MTA Bus Time tracker, search B12 and select your boarding stop to see approaching buses.
Brooklyn B12 Schedule Guide
B12 Bus Times: Weekday, Saturday and Sunday
Route B12 has separate timetable patterns for weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays. It serves both directions overnight, but the time between buses can change considerably during the day.
The following examples use published 2026 MTA schedule-feed data. They represent departures from the stated terminal, not live predictions or departure times at every intermediate stop.
Weekday: Lefferts Gardens to East New York
| Period | Selected departures from Parkside/Ocean | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Overnight | 1:50 AM, 2:30 AM, 3:10 AM, 3:50 AM | Buses are available, but intervals are much wider. |
| Early morning | 5:05 AM, 5:25 AM, 5:40 AM, 5:52 AM | Frequency increases as the morning commute begins. |
| Morning commute | 6:04 AM, 6:14 AM, 6:22 AM, 6:30 AM, 6:38 AM | Buses are generally frequent, but intervals are not perfectly uniform. |
| Late morning | 10:00 AM, 10:08 AM, 10:15 AM, 10:23 AM, 10:30 AM | Many departures are approximately 7–8 minutes apart. |
| Late evening | 10:07 PM, 10:22 PM, 10:37 PM, 10:52 PM | Allow more waiting time than during the daytime. |
Weekday: East New York to Lefferts Gardens
In the opposite direction, buses generally begin from the Alabama Avenue/Fulton Street area and travel west through Brownsville and the Kings County Hospital corridor.
| Period | Selected departures near Alabama/Fulton |
|---|---|
| Overnight | 1:15 AM, 1:55 AM, 2:35 AM, 3:15 AM |
| Early morning | 5:09 AM, 5:20 AM, 5:30 AM, 5:39 AM |
| Morning commute | 6:00 AM, 6:06 AM, 6:12 AM, 6:18 AM, 6:24 AM |
| Late morning | 10:06 AM, 10:14 AM, 10:21 AM, 10:29 AM |
| Late evening | 10:10 PM, 10:30 PM, 10:50 PM, 11:10 PM |
For a wider explanation of Brooklyn and other borough bus schedules, the New York MTA bus schedule guide covers borough route directories, service types, OMNY, Bus Time and how to read official timetables.
How Often Does the B12 Bus Come?
Current published MTA schedule-feed summaries show frequent weekday daytime service, with wider gaps overnight. Weekend service follows different intervals.
These are approximate service patterns based on scheduled intervals, not a reliability score or a guarantee of the time until the next bus. The comparison bars are illustrative.
Weekend Frequency
B12 Bus Stops and Route Map
The B12 runs across Brooklyn from Prospect Lefferts Gardens through East Flatbush, the Kings County Hospital area and Brownsville to East New York. Both directions use closely related corridors, but some terminal streets and intermediate stops differ.
Schematic sequence only, not a geographically accurate road map. Intermediate stops, turn restrictions and temporary detours are not represented by distance or scale.
Eastbound B12 Stops
- Parkside Avenue / Ocean Avenue
- Parkside Avenue / Flatbush Avenue
- Parkside Avenue / Bedford Avenue
- Clarkson Avenue / Bedford Avenue
- Clarkson Avenue / Rogers Avenue
- Clarkson Avenue / Nostrand Avenue
- Clarkson Avenue / New York Avenue
- Clarkson Avenue / Kings County Hospital
- Clarkson Avenue / East 38 Street
- Albany Avenue / Clarkson Avenue
- Albany Avenue / Winthrop Street
- Albany Avenue / Hawthorne Street
- Albany Avenue / Rutland Road
- Albany Avenue / Maple Street
- East New York Avenue / Albany Avenue
- Lefferts Avenue / Schenectady Avenue
- Empire Boulevard / Utica Avenue
- East New York Avenue / East 92 Street
- East New York Avenue / East 94 Street
- East New York Avenue / East 96 Street
- East New York Avenue / East 98 Street
- East New York Avenue / Ralph Avenue
- East New York Avenue / Union Street
- Pitkin Avenue / Saratoga Avenue
- Pitkin Avenue / Herzl Street
- Pitkin Avenue / Thomas S. Boyland Street
- Rockaway Avenue / Pitkin Avenue
- Rockaway Avenue / East New York Avenue
- East New York Avenue / Junius Street
- Fulton Street / Georgia Avenue
These stops reflect the published direction-specific route feed. Use the live MTA stop list to check temporary changes, rather than assuming all stops remain available during construction.
Westbound: East New York to Lefferts Gardens
Westbound trips travel from Alabama Avenue/Fulton Street through the East New York and Brownsville corridors, return via Empire Boulevard, Albany Avenue and Clarkson Avenue, then reach Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue.
How to Find a B12 Stop on the Map
The most accurate stop map is the operator’s stop-level route map. It shows boarding points in the correct direction and can display current bus locations.
- Open MTA Bus Time.
- Enter B12 in the search field.
- Choose the route from the results.
- Select East New York Alabama Avenue or Lefferts Gardens Ocean Avenue.
- Expand the stop list in that direction.
- Select your actual stop, not merely the nearest named street.
- Review the map position and the approaching bus information.
- Check for temporary stop changes before traveling.
Google Maps can also help with the walking portion of a journey, comparing nearby subway stations and finding an alternative route. Our Google Maps bus route and departure guide explains how to find stop locations, select transit directions and distinguish live predictions from scheduled times.
Open Google Maps to enter your origin and destination, choose Transit, then inspect the walking route to the chosen B12 stop. Follow physical MTA stop signs if the map pin and street-side instructions differ.
Which B12 Stop Serves Kings County Hospital?
The B12 serves the Kings County Hospital area along Clarkson Avenue. This is particularly useful for hospital patients, visitors, employees and people traveling to nearby SUNY Downstate facilities.
Eastbound hospital stop
Clarkson Avenue / Kings County Hospital
Check the eastbound stop listing when approaching from Prospect Lefferts Gardens or the western end of the route.
Westbound hospital stop
Clarkson Avenue / Kings County Hospital
Check the westbound stop position if arriving from the Brownsville or East New York side.
How to Reach the Hospital Using B12
- Check the main hospital building or department you need.
- Use the address or entrance information given by your appointment provider.
- Search B12 in MTA Bus Time.
- Select the direction that approaches Kings County Hospital.
- Open the Clarkson Avenue hospital stop.
- Check its arrival prediction and service alerts.
- After exiting, follow hospital entrance signs and pedestrian paths.
The NYC Health + Hospitals Kings County directions page identifies B12 as a public transit option and also explains a subway connection through Winthrop Street.
B12 Connections to Brooklyn Subway Lines
The B12 is valuable for east–west trips that connect several subway corridors. Some transfers require a walk from the bus stop to the station entrance, so always check the physical location and accessibility of the connection.
The Parkside/Ocean end of the B12 provides a practical connection to the Q train at Parkside Avenue.
Check the correct station entrance and walking route.
Use the Clarkson Avenue/Nostrand Avenue area to connect with the Winthrop Street subway station.
Walk carefully along the designated pedestrian route.
The B12’s East New York Avenue corridor provides access toward the 3 train corridor.
Confirm the nearest stop and walking distance.
Some East New York B12 journeys can connect toward the Atlantic Avenue L station area, but a walking segment may be required.
Check the exact walking route first.
The East New York terminal area provides an important connection to the Alabama Avenue subway station.
Check the station’s current service and entrance access.
Connections along the corridor include nearby routes such as B14, B17, B41, B44, B46, B47, B49 and B60, depending on the intersection.
Check whether a proposed transfer shares the same stop.
Do Not Confuse B12 With B49
B12 and B49 are different Brooklyn bus services. They may serve nearby intersections in the Prospect Lefferts Gardens and Flatbush area, but their full routes and destinations are not interchangeable. Our Route 49 guide explaining the separate Brooklyn B49 service is useful when a trip planner suggests B49 instead of B12. For actual B49 departures, verify the MTA’s B49 timetable.
How to Transfer From B12 to the Subway
- Identify the subway station that best serves your destination.
- Find the nearest B12 exit stop using the route map.
- Check the walking distance and entrance location.
- Confirm the subway line is serving the station at your travel time.
- Review elevator or escalator alerts if needed.
- Use the same eligible OMNY card or device for the transfer.
How Much Is the B12 Bus Fare?
The B12 is a regular MTA local bus, not an express bus. The current published base fare is $3.00 for most riders.
Can You Transfer From B12 to Another Bus for Free?
Yes, an eligible transfer is included within two hours of paying the regular fare. You can generally transfer from local bus to local bus or between local bus and subway when the trip meets MTA rules.
Use the same OMNY card, physical payment card or mobile device when transferring. Switching between a physical card and its digital-wallet version can cause the system to treat the payments as separate.
Does the B12 Have a Special Hospital Fare?
The B12 follows the ordinary MTA local bus fare structure. Traveling to Kings County Hospital does not itself create a different route-specific base fare. Individual reduced-fare eligibility is separate.
Check MTA’s current local bus fares, payment methods and transfer rules.
How to Pay on the B12 Bus
Accepted Payment Options
| Method | How to use it | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| OMNY Card | Tap at the bus’s front-door reader. | Use the same card to receive eligible transfer benefits and fare capping. |
| Contactless bank card | Tap an accepted credit or debit card. | Do not switch payment credentials mid-journey. |
| Mobile wallet | Tap the eligible phone or wearable device. | Use the same device for the full eligible transfer journey. |
| MetroCard | Existing valid MetroCards may be used during the MTA transition. | MetroCard sales and refills ended January 1, 2026. Check current acceptance status. |
| Cash | Insert exact coins into the local bus farebox while accepted. | MTA has announced the end of cash bus fare acceptance during 2026; verify the actual transition date before depending on cash. |
How to Track the B12 Bus Live
Use the MTA Bus Time website to find a B12 bus approaching your actual stop. Bus Time can show estimated arrival minutes, the number of stops away and vehicle information when available.
Real Example: Clarkson Avenue/Nostrand Avenue
MTA Bus Time identifies stop code 301314 for the B12 stop at Clarkson Avenue/Nostrand Avenue in the eastbound direction.
- Open MTA Bus Time.
- Search for stop code 301314.
- Confirm the stop name is Clarkson Avenue/Nostrand Avenue.
- Look for B12 toward East New York/Alabama Avenue.
- Review the approaching vehicle and estimated arrival.
- Check any detour or stop-change notice.
Open the B12 Clarkson/Nostrand stop lookup.
How to Get B12 Bus Arrivals by Text Message
MTA Bus Time supports SMS arrivals using a six-digit stop code. This is especially useful when a passenger does not want to load a map on a mobile browser.
SMS Instructions
- Find the correct six-digit code on the bus stop sign or MTA Bus Time.
- Open your phone’s text-message app.
- Enter 511123 as the recipient.
- Type the stop code, a space and B12.
- Send the message.
- Read the arriving-bus information returned.
- Refresh using the MTA’s supported message instructions if needed.
For example, use 301314 B12 for the identified Clarkson/Nostrand eastbound stop. Do not reuse this number for the opposite side of the street.
Read the official MTA Bus Time texting instructions.
B12 Bus Alerts: Detours, Road Closures and Temporary Stops
The B12 travels through busy local corridors, including Clarkson Avenue, Albany Avenue, Empire Boulevard and East New York Avenue. Road work, construction, crane operations and other street restrictions can affect the normal stopping pattern.
Recent MTA transit-feed information has included temporary B12 detour notices affecting Clarkson Avenue. Because such notices can end or change, this article does not present a temporary detour as permanently active.
How to Check Today’s B12 Alerts
- Open the MTA Planned Service Changes page.
- Find the bus service-change or route-filter controls.
- Search B12 when supported.
- Read the affected direction.
- Check the start and end time of the alert.
- Look for skipped stops and replacement boarding locations.
- Confirm the current stop in MTA Bus Time.
Is the B12 Wheelchair Accessible?
MTA New York City local buses are wheelchair accessible. They use accessible boarding equipment, and bus operators can assist riders who need a ramp or kneeling bus feature.
Accessible B12 Boarding Steps
- Check your correct B12 stop and its accessibility conditions.
- Wait where the operator can see you safely.
- Signal or request the boarding ramp if required.
- Follow the bus operator’s directions for entering.
- Use the designated mobility-device securement area when applicable.
- Notify the operator about your intended exit stop if assistance is needed.
What About Accessible Subway Transfers?
Do not assume every subway station near the B12 has step-free access. Verify the current MTA station accessibility information before choosing a transfer involving a wheelchair or mobility device.
Review official MTA accessibility services and station information.
If your journey involves multiple transit agencies, different bus types or complex station connections, our general transit bus scheduling and accessible trip-planning guide provides a useful method for checking stops, transfer paths, arrival estimates and service alerts.
Does the B12 Run After Midnight?
Yes. The B12 operates overnight. This makes it useful for early shifts, late hospital visits and other trips when daytime buses are no longer running as frequently.
However, overnight buses are not as frequent as weekday daytime buses. Check the exact stop and direction rather than assuming a bus arrives every 10 minutes.
MTA Late-Night Request-A-Stop
MTA allows riders on eligible local buses to request a safe drop-off location between official stops from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM, subject to the bus operator’s safety assessment.
- Board the correct B12 bus and pay the fare.
- Tell the operator in advance where you would like to exit.
- Provide a clear nearby intersection or landmark.
- The operator determines whether a safe location is available.
- Wait until the bus has fully stopped and the operator opens the door.
Read MTA’s official late-night bus riding and Request-A-Stop rules.
Download the B12 Bus Schedule PDF
MTA hosts a printable B12 timetable covering Lefferts Gardens–East New York, with timepoint tables and route information.
Useful for understanding the route, scheduled timepoints and how the timetable is structured.
Use MTA Bus Time for current stop sequences, upcoming arrivals, direction and service alerts.
How to Read the B12 Timetable
- Check the effective date printed on the PDF.
- Select the correct direction: East New York or Lefferts Gardens.
- Find the weekday, Saturday or Sunday table.
- Identify the major timepoint nearest your boarding stop.
- Read one full trip across the row.
- Check footnotes and any special operating conditions.
- Use MTA Bus Time for your actual intermediate stop.
Printed timepoints are not every B12 stop. A person boarding between Clarkson Avenue/Nostrand Avenue and Kings County Hospital, for example, should check the exact stop instead of estimating from the two nearest PDF columns.
What If the B12 Bus Is Late or Missing?
Check whether MTA Bus Time has fresh GPS data. A missing vehicle prediction does not necessarily mean the whole route is canceled.
Confirm the headsign, service direction and temporary stop alerts. The bus may have been out of service, full or on a detour.
Overnight intervals can be long. Check the published trip pattern and nearby subway or bus alternatives before walking to another stop.
Use the MTA alert to identify the actual substitute stop and verify the walking route to the hospital entrance.
Try another MTA-approved payment method. Check the reader message before repeating a tap or using a different device.
Compare effective dates. A historical timetable cannot establish the current departure time for a 2026 trip.
How to Find Your Exact B12 Departure
- Open MTA Bus Time. Use the official bus-tracking website.
- Search B12. Enter the complete bus route number.
- Choose direction. Select East New York Alabama Avenue or Lefferts Gardens Ocean Avenue.
- Find your boarding stop. Search the intersection or six-digit stop code.
- Confirm the stop side. Make sure the selected stop serves the desired direction.
- Read the upcoming arrivals. Note whether the display indicates an approaching bus or scheduled time.
- Check service alerts. Look for temporary road closures or detours.
- Prepare payment. Have OMNY or another currently accepted method ready.
- Arrive before the departure. Reach the stop several minutes early.
- Check the return trip. If returning late, review overnight frequency and the opposite direction separately.
MTA B12 Customer Service and Rider Assistance
What to Include in a B12 Service Report
- Route B12
- Travel date and approximate time
- Eastbound or westbound direction
- Boarding intersection or stop code
- Bus or vehicle number, if available
- Clear explanation of the issue
Visit the official MTA website to find current contact and feedback options.
B12 Bus Boarding Checklist
- Confirm B12 Lefferts Gardens–East New York.
- Choose the correct direction.
- Check today’s service pattern.
- Find the correct boarding stop and street side.
- Use the six-digit stop code when possible.
- Check the arrival prediction.
- Review any construction detour.
- Prepare the $3 fare or an eligible reduced fare.
- Allow additional time for hospital visits or appointments.
- Check the return trip, especially overnight.
B12 Schedule, Map, Fares and Official MTA Resources
Official route search, exact stop list, direction and upcoming arrivals.
Open MTA Bus TimeOfficial PDF with route timepoints. The indexed document is effective September 3, 2023, and must not be treated as a verified 2026 timetable.
Open the historical official B12 PDFCurrent local bus fare, reduced fares, OMNY, fare capping and transfers.
Check current MTA faresOfficial instructions for boarding, payment, late-night Request-A-Stop and accessible travel.
Read the boarding guideFind current and planned detours, disruptions and stop changes.
Open current MTA alertsOfficial six-digit stop-code search and text-message arrival guidance.
Read MTA SMS instructionsOfficial directions identifying the B12 as a hospital access route.
Read hospital travel directionsAccessible bus service, qualifying reduced fares, station information and rider assistance.
Open MTA accessibility informationIndependent website disclosure: BusSchedule.us is not operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This page does not operate buses, issue official tickets, control transit data or guarantee live arrival predictions.
B12 Bus Schedule FAQs
1. What is the B12 bus schedule?
The MTA B12 runs between Prospect Lefferts Gardens and East New York in Brooklyn. It operates 24 hours a day on weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with different service frequencies.
2. Does the B12 bus run 24 hours?
Yes. The B12 is an overnight local bus route. Late-night trips are less frequent, so check the exact scheduled departure or MTA Bus Time arrival for your stop.
3. How often does the B12 bus come?
Published schedule-feed patterns show frequent weekday daytime service, commonly around 5–8 minutes during busy periods. Saturday and Sunday buses generally run less frequently, and overnight gaps can be approximately 30–40 minutes.
4. Where does the B12 bus start and end?
The B12 serves Parkside Avenue/Ocean Avenue in Prospect Lefferts Gardens and the Alabama Avenue/Fulton Street area in East New York. The precise terminal and stop location depend on direction.
5. Does B12 stop at Kings County Hospital?
Yes. The B12 serves Kings County Hospital along Clarkson Avenue. Confirm the appropriate eastbound or westbound stop and check the hospital entrance location before traveling.
6. How much is the B12 bus fare?
The regular MTA local bus fare is $3.00 for most riders. Eligible seniors and riders with qualifying disabilities may receive the $1.50 reduced fare.
7. Can I pay for the B12 using OMNY?
Yes. You can tap an accepted OMNY Card, contactless credit or debit card, smartphone or wearable device at the reader when boarding. Use the same eligible payment method for transfers and fare capping.
8. Where can I track the B12 bus live?
Use the official MTA Bus Time website. Search B12, select the correct direction, choose your stop and read approaching bus information. You can also text the correct six-digit stop code to 511123.
9. Is the B12 wheelchair accessible?
Yes. MTA local buses are wheelchair accessible. Passengers should also confirm that the chosen bus stop, sidewalk and any subway transfer are accessible, particularly during construction or detours.
10. Which subway lines connect with the B12?
The B12 corridor provides connections or walking access to subway services including the Q at Parkside Avenue, 2 at Winthrop Street, 3 near Sutter Avenue–Rutland Road, L near Atlantic Avenue and J near Alabama Avenue. Check the exact stop and walking connection.