Route BM1 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
The BM1 express bus connects Mill Basin, Brooklyn, with Downtown and Midtown Manhattan. It serves East 66th Street, Avenue K, Ocean Avenue and Cortelyou Road before traveling into Manhattan. BM1 operates on weekdays and Saturdays, with no regular Sunday service.
This rider guide explains the actual BM1 bus schedule, Brooklyn and Manhattan stops, weekday and Saturday departure examples, Downtown versus Midtown service patterns, the $7.25 express fare, OMNY transfers, real-time tracking and upcoming service alerts.
What Time Does the BM1 Bus Run?
The published BM1 weekday timetable starts with a 5:20 AM Manhattan-bound departure from 56th Drive/Strickland Avenue in Brooklyn. The first regular weekday BM1 from East 57th Street/Second Avenue toward Mill Basin is scheduled at 11:00 AM.
Use the official MTA BM1 timetable together with MTA Bus Time for BM1 to confirm the trip you need.
BM1 Midtown Detour: Saturday, October 31, 2026
MTA service-alert data announces a temporary detour on Saturday, October 31, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, New York local time, connected with the Abbott Dash to the Finish 5K event.
During the scheduled detour, the temporary Midtown starting/ending point is West 57th Street and Eighth Avenue.
Brooklyn-bound BM1 skips:
- East 57th Street / Second Avenue
- East 57th Street / Lexington Avenue
- Fifth Avenue stops from West 54th Street through West 27th Street
Manhattan-bound BM1 skips:
- Madison Avenue stops from East 28th through East 54th Street
- East 57th Street / Third Avenue
The published alert identifies East 23rd Street/Park Avenue South as the point where the normal route resumes or ends before the detour, depending on direction.
What Should You Do Before Boarding?
- Open MTA Bus Time and search BM1.
- Choose the direction toward Brooklyn or Manhattan.
- Read the applicable service alert.
- Check whether your usual Midtown stop is skipped.
- Find the temporary stop specified by the MTA.
- Confirm its location and the bus’s destination display.
BM1 Bus Schedule Guide
BM1 Bus Schedule: Monday to Friday
BM1 weekday service is designed around Brooklyn–Manhattan commuting, with more buses during busy periods and fewer departures around midday and in the evening.
The timetable below contains selected scheduled timepoints from the MTA’s published BM1 schedule. The available MTA-issued PDF is marked effective June 29, 2025. Current 2026 transit-feed information also shows these general terminal and branch patterns, but the older PDF’s effective date should not be treated as proof that every printed minute remains unchanged.
Weekday: Mill Basin to Manhattan
| 56 Dr / Strickland | Cortelyou / Stratford | Downtown or E 23 St | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:20 AM | 5:50 AM | 6:05 AM at Trinity Pl | E 57 St / 3 Av at 6:36 AM — regular Midtown |
| 6:10 AM | 6:41 AM | 7:08 AM at E 23 St / 1 Av | E 57 St / 3 Av at 7:25 AM — Super Express |
| 6:25 AM | 6:57 AM | 7:13 AM at Trinity Pl | State St / Battery Pl at 7:29 AM — Downtown Loop |
| 8:30 AM | 9:07 AM | 9:28 AM at Trinity Pl | E 57 St / 3 Av at 10:17 AM — regular Midtown |
| 10:45 AM | 11:18 AM | 11:37 AM at Trinity Pl | E 57 St / 3 Av at 12:26 PM |
Weekday: Manhattan to Mill Basin
Many regular Brooklyn-bound BM1 trips start from East 57th Street/Second Avenue. Other afternoon peak trips begin at intermediate Downtown Manhattan stops and therefore cannot be boarded at East 57th Street.
| E 57 St / 2 Av | State St / Battery Pl | Cortelyou / Westminster | 56 Dr / Strickland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | 11:45 AM | 12:02 PM | 12:30 PM |
| 12:00 PM | 12:49 PM | 1:08 PM | 1:39 PM |
| 2:45 PM | 3:20 PM | 3:56 PM | 4:19 PM |
| 7:00 PM | 7:45 PM | 8:06 PM | 8:37 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 11:35 PM | 11:53 PM | 12:23 AM next day |
Selected MTA-published timepoints; not every departure is shown. Times are local New York time. Trip patterns and the effective timetable should be confirmed before travel, especially during peak-direction service changes.
First and Last BM1 Terminal Trips
For a broader explanation of NYC route codes, borough bus directories, live-stop searches and transfer planning, see our New York City MTA bus schedule and express-route guide.
Regular Midtown vs Super Express vs Downtown Loop
This is one of the most important things to understand before boarding BM1. Not every bus displaying BM1 travels to the same Manhattan destination.
Regular Midtown
Typical destination sign: Midtown–57 St via Church St / Madison Ave.
These trips travel from Brooklyn through Lower Manhattan, then continue toward East 23rd Street and Madison Avenue to East 57th Street.
Useful for: Financial District or Midtown destinations when the selected trip serves both.Super Express Midtown
Typical destination sign: Super Express Midtown 57 St via Madison Ave.
These trips use a different Manhattan stopping pattern. They may bypass regular Downtown timepoints to serve Midtown more directly.
Useful for: Midtown commuters, only when the bus’s confirmed stops match the destination.Downtown Loop
Typical destination sign: Downtown Loop via Church St / Water St.
These trips serve Lower Manhattan and may finish at the Battery Place/State Street area without continuing to Midtown.
Useful for: Financial District commuters who do not need East 57th Street.How to Identify the Correct Branch
- Open MTA Bus Time and search BM1.
- Select the Manhattan-bound direction.
- Read the full destination name, not only BM1.
- Check whether East 57th Street or the Financial District is listed for that trip.
- Match your intended exit stop with the trip’s stop sequence.
- Confirm the front destination sign before boarding.
BM1 Saturday Bus Schedule
The MTA timetable publishes BM1 service on Saturdays, with fewer trips than the weekday commute schedule.
Selected Saturday Departures Toward Manhattan
| 56 Dr / Strickland | Cortelyou / Stratford | Trinity Pl / Rector | E 57 St / 3 Av |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | 6:22 AM | 6:39 AM | 7:14 AM |
| 7:30 AM | 7:53 AM | 8:10 AM | 8:50 AM |
| 9:30 AM | 9:53 AM | 10:10 AM | 10:50 AM |
| 3:30 PM | 3:53 PM | 4:10 PM | 4:50 PM |
Selected Saturday Departures Toward Brooklyn
| E 57 St / 2 Av | State St / Battery Pl | Cortelyou / Westminster | 56 Dr / Strickland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | 11:35 AM | 11:57 AM | 12:20 PM |
| 2:00 PM | 2:35 PM | 2:57 PM | 3:20 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 6:35 PM | 6:57 PM | 7:18 PM |
| 10:00 PM | 10:35 PM | 10:54 PM | 11:15 PM |
Selected scheduled timepoints from the MTA-issued timetable. A service alert, event detour or newer schedule may change the actual stop used on a given Saturday.
Does BM1 Run on Sundays or Holidays?
No regular Sunday BM1 service is published. The MTA’s BM1 schedule also lists several holidays with no service, while some others follow Saturday or special schedules.
| Day or holiday | Published BM1 rule | Rider action |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | No regular service. | Use MTA Trip Planner for a subway/local-bus alternative. |
| New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas | No BM1 service listed in the published holiday notes. | Check the current MTA holiday notice. |
| Independence Day | Saturday schedule in the published holiday policy. | Confirm the observed-date announcement. |
| Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day and selected year-end dates | Special schedule may apply. | Read the MTA’s date-specific announcement. |
BM1 Bus Stops and Route Map in Brooklyn
BM1 serves Mill Basin and nearby Brooklyn neighborhoods before heading to Manhattan. Important streets include East 66th Street, Avenue U, Veterans Avenue, Ralph Avenue, Avenue K, Ocean Avenue and Cortelyou Road.
Selected Manhattan-Bound Brooklyn Stops
- 56th Drive / Strickland Avenue
- 56th Drive / East 63rd Street
- 56th Drive / East 66th Street
- East 66th Street / Dakota Place
- East 66th Street / Bassett Avenue
- East 66th Street / Ohio Walk
- East 66th Street / Strickland Avenue
- East 66th Street / Avenue U
- Avenue U / East 69th Street
- Veterans Avenue / East 66th Street
- Ralph Avenue / Avenue N
- Ralph Avenue / Avenue L
- Avenue K / East 58th Street
- Avenue K / Utica Avenue
- Avenue K / Schenectady Avenue
- Avenue K / New York Avenue
- Avenue K / Bedford Avenue
- Ocean Avenue / Avenue K
- Ocean Avenue / Avenue J
- Ocean Avenue / Ditmas Avenue
- Cortelyou Road / Stratford Road
This is a selected list of useful boarding points, not every stop. The MTA’s live stop list is the better tool for confirming the nearest physical boarding location.
How to Find Your BM1 Stop on the Official Map
- Open MTA Bus Time for BM1.
- Select BM1 from the results.
- Choose the direction toward Midtown, Downtown or Mill Basin as applicable.
- Open the route map or complete stop list.
- Locate the closest stop intersection.
- Tap or select that stop to see its code and arrival information.
- Check the bus destination and any stop-specific notice before boarding.
BM1 Manhattan Stops: Downtown vs Midtown
BM1 uses different Manhattan streets depending on the direction. Brooklyn-bound trips generally begin at East 57th Street/Second Avenue, while Manhattan-bound trips ending in Midtown use Madison Avenue and East 57th Street/Third Avenue.
Manhattan-Bound
Selected Downtown stops- Trinity Place / Rector Street
- Church Street / Liberty Street
- Church Street / Barclay Street
- Park Row / Spruce Street
- East 23rd Street / First Avenue
- Madison Avenue / East 34th Street
- Madison Avenue / East 48th Street
- East 57th Street / Third Avenue
Brooklyn-Bound
Selected Midtown stops- East 57th Street / Second Avenue
- East 57th Street / Lexington Avenue
- Fifth Avenue / West 48th Street
- East 23rd Street / Second Avenue
- Pearl Street / Peck Slip
- Water Street / Pine Street
- Water Street / Coenties Slip East
- State Street / Battery Place
Which Stop Should You Use for the Financial District?
Depending on the BM1 trip pattern, Lower Manhattan timepoints may include Trinity Place/Rector Street, Church Street, Park Row, Pearl Street or State Street/Battery Place. Select the timepoint nearest your actual destination and verify whether the bus serves it.
Which BM1 Should You Use for Midtown?
Choose a BM1 trip explicitly serving the relevant Midtown stop, such as East 23rd Street, Madison Avenue or East 57th Street. Do not assume that a Downtown Loop trip continues to Midtown.
How Long Does the BM1 Bus Take?
BM1 trip duration depends on which Manhattan branch you take, which stops you use and current traffic. The MTA timetable gives a better estimate than applying one fixed journey length to every trip.
These values are calculated from specific MTA-published scheduled timepoints. They are examples, not average or guaranteed travel times. A rush-hour BM1 journey can take longer.
What Can Delay BM1?
- Brooklyn traffic on Avenue K, Ocean Avenue or Cortelyou Road
- Traffic entering or leaving Manhattan
- Downtown road closures and special events
- Midtown congestion on Madison Avenue or Fifth Avenue
- Construction detours or temporary stop changes
- Boarding delays and vehicle availability
BM1 Bus Fare: $7.25 Express Ticket and OMNY Cap
BM1 is an MTA express bus, not a regular $3 local bus. The standard adult fare is $7.25 per ride, effective with the January 2026 MTA fare changes.
Who Can Use Reduced Fare on BM1?
Eligible seniors and people with qualifying disabilities can receive the reduced express fare outside weekday peak periods. MTA lists weekday peak hours as 6:00–10:00 AM and 3:00–7:00 PM for express-bus reduced-fare purposes.
Check the current MTA Reduced-Fare rules if your trip is close to the start or end of a peak period. Eligibility and the relevant time restriction both matter.
How Does the $67 Weekly Cap Work?
OMNY’s published full-fare express-inclusive cap is $67 for eligible subway, local bus and express bus travel within a rolling seven-day period.
- Use one eligible contactless card, OMNY card or smart device.
- Continue using that exact payment method for your rides.
- The first tap begins your seven-day fare-cap period.
- Eligible paid fares contribute toward the cap.
- After reaching the express-inclusive $67 cap, covered rides during that period are not charged an additional fare.
Important: A physical bank card and the same card loaded on a phone may count as separate payment methods. Switching between them can split fare-cap progress.
How to Pay on the BM1 Bus
OMNY is the main tap-and-ride payment system for BM1. The MTA also explains rules for previously issued MetroCards during the 2026 transition.
Pay with Contactless Bank Card
- Check that your debit or credit card supports contactless payment.
- Board BM1 through the front door.
- Tap the card on the OMNY reader.
- Wait for the payment confirmation.
- Use the same card for eligible transfers or fare-cap progress.
Pay with an OMNY Card
- Purchase or reload an OMNY card from an authorized source.
- Check the available balance.
- Board through the front door.
- Tap the OMNY card on the reader.
- Keep using that card for subsequent trips.
Can I Pay Cash on BM1?
MTA’s current fare instructions list cash payment for local, limited, rush and Select Bus Service buses, but not as an ordinary cash-onboard option for express buses. Do not assume coins or paper bills will pay your BM1 fare on board.
If you prefer cash, load value onto an OMNY card using an authorized vending machine or retailer before boarding.
Can I Still Use a MetroCard?
MetroCard sales and reloads ended January 1, 2026. MTA’s published transition guidance has allowed existing MetroCard balances to be used while cards remain accepted. Check the latest transition status rather than assuming an old card will remain valid indefinitely.
Read official MTA payment and MetroCard transition guidance.
Transfers from Subway or Local Bus to BM1
MTA generally allows one eligible free transfer within two hours when the same payment method is used. When transferring from a subway or local bus to an express bus, the fare difference is charged rather than automatically providing a free $7.25 express ride.
Verify the transfer conditions and any special restrictions on the current MTA fare page.
How to Track BM1 Live with MTA Bus Time
MTA Bus Time displays the BM1 route, direction-specific stops and available vehicle-arrival information. It can help you check whether a bus is approaching your stop, but predictions may be affected by traffic, detours and data availability.
Open official MTA Bus Time for Route BM1.
What Does “Miles Away” Mean?
MTA Bus Time may show a bus’s reported distance instead of a precise arrival minute. Bus locations are updated periodically, so distance and ETA can change as the bus travels through traffic.
BM1 Accessibility: Wheelchair Boarding and Rider Assistance
Accessible travel involves more than whether the vehicle has a wheelchair lift or ramp. Check the boarding stop, sidewalk, curb condition, available mobility equipment and the accessible path at your destination.
Accessible BM1 Trip Planning Steps
- Open the official BM1 route and stop list.
- Select your boarding stop and destination.
- Check the accessibility of the stop and surrounding route.
- Look for any temporary relocated stop or sidewalk closure.
- Confirm the appropriate reduced-fare eligibility if applicable.
- Check live bus information and allow extra boarding time.
- Contact MTA accessibility support if you need specific assistance.
Open MTA Accessibility resources and assistance information.
BM1 vs BM2, X27 and X28: Which Bus Should You Take?
BM1 is particularly useful for Mill Basin and its Avenue K/Ocean Avenue/Cortelyou Road corridor. Other Brooklyn–Manhattan express services cover different neighborhoods, so their routes should not be treated as interchangeable.
BM2 Express Bus
BM2 connects Canarsie and Spring Creek with Manhattan via areas including Avenue M, Avenue H and Cortelyou Road.
If your starting point is nearer Canarsie, Flatlands or Spring Creek than Mill Basin, compare the BM2 express timetable and Canarsie–Manhattan stops before deciding which route is practical.
X27 Express Bus
X27 serves Bay Ridge and Manhattan through a different Brooklyn corridor.
For passengers starting in Bay Ridge rather than Mill Basin, the X27 schedule covering Shore Road and Manhattan provides the relevant stops, express fare details and travel directions.
X28 Express Bus
X28 serves Sea Gate/Bensonhurst and Manhattan, using a route different from BM1.
If your origin is around Bensonhurst or the Cropsey Avenue corridor, compare the X28 timetable for Bensonhurst–Manhattan express travel instead of traveling unnecessarily to a BM1 stop.
What About the Subway or Local Bus?
On Sundays, major holidays without BM1 service or after the final BM1 departure, use the official MTA Trip Planner to compare subway and local-bus options. These journeys may involve transfers and a different total fare.
Open the MTA Trip Planner, enter your starting location and destination, choose your travel date and compare the available transit options.
BM1 Bus Schedule PDF: Effective Dates and How to Read It
The accessible MTA-issued BM1 timetable PDF is labeled effective June 29, 2025. It provides detailed weekday and Saturday timepoints, holiday notes and direction-specific stop lists.
How to Read the BM1 PDF
- Open the official MTA BM1 schedule PDF.
- Check the effective date printed on the first page.
- Find the weekday or Saturday table for your travel day.
- Choose the direction toward Manhattan or Mill Basin.
- Locate the boarding timepoint closest to your stop.
- Read across the same row to the destination timepoint.
- Watch for blank cells where a trip skips a location or ends early.
- Review holiday notes and branch patterns.
- Compare the result with the current MTA Bus Time stop listing.
Helpful detail: the MTA timetable prints only selected major timepoints. It is not a list of every physical stop. Use MTA Bus Time for intermediate stops.
Common BM1 Bus Problems and What to Do
Check the complete destination. Downtown Loop trips may end in the Financial District and not continue to East 57th Street.
Check whether your trip originates Downtown, whether you are standing on Fifth Avenue instead of Madison Avenue, and whether a temporary detour applies.
A blank usually indicates that the trip does not serve the displayed timepoint. Do not substitute a time from another row.
Confirm the route direction, exact stop code and whether the bus is running. Check the timetable and service alerts alongside the tracking result.
No regular Sunday BM1 trips are published. Use the MTA trip planner for a subway, local-bus or other available service.
Check the OMNY reader response, card eligibility and sufficient fare balance. An MTA express bus requires the express fare, not just the local-bus fare.
How to Find the Correct BM1 Bus Time in Five Steps
Then prepare the correct OMNY payment method and reach the boarding location several minutes before the planned departure. For time-sensitive trips, allow extra time for traffic and transfers.
BM1 Express Bus Travel Checklist
- Confirm you need BM1, not BM2 or another express bus.
- Check weekday or Saturday service.
- Remember that regular Sunday service is unavailable.
- Choose Manhattan-bound or Mill Basin-bound direction.
- Check Regular Midtown, Super Express or Downtown Loop.
- Find your exact boarding stop and stop code.
- Review dated MTA route and stop alerts.
- Prepare the $7.25 fare or eligible reduced fare.
- Tap the correct OMNY card or payment device.
- Verify the return trip and final departure.
MTA BM1 Schedule, Fare, Route Map and Tracking Links
Use the MTA’s official sources for the final timetable, payment rules and current service alerts. The information below helps explain how to use those tools.
Published weekday/Saturday schedules, major timepoints, stops and holiday notes.
View MTA BM1 scheduleBM1 route, directions, stop list, vehicle-arrival information and service notices.
Track the BM1 bus$7.25 standard fare, reduced fare, payment options and transfer rules.
Check MTA bus faresSeven-day rolling limits, exact payment-method requirements and trip history.
Read OMNY fare-cap FAQSpecial-event detours, temporary stop changes and planned disruptions.
View MTA service changesAccessible bus travel, Reduced-Fare programs and Access-A-Ride information.
Read accessible travel guidanceIndependent-site disclosure: BusSchedule.us is not affiliated with or operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. This article does not operate BM1 buses, determine fares, provide live guarantees or sell official OMNY fare media.
BM1 Bus Schedule FAQs
1. What is the BM1 bus schedule?
BM1 is an MTA express bus between Mill Basin, Brooklyn, and Downtown/Midtown Manhattan. It operates on weekdays and Saturdays, with different departure patterns for Regular Midtown, Super Express Midtown and Downtown Loop trips.
2. What time does BM1 start in Brooklyn?
The published weekday BM1 timetable begins with a 5:20 AM Manhattan-bound departure from 56th Drive/Strickland Avenue. Saturday service begins with a 6:00 AM departure from the same terminal. Intermediate stops have later times.
3. What time is the last BM1 bus from Manhattan?
The published weekday timetable lists an 11:00 PM final departure from East 57th Street/Second Avenue toward Mill Basin. On Saturdays, the last departure from that timepoint is listed at 10:00 PM. Some trips start at different Manhattan locations, so check the current timetable and alerts.
4. Does BM1 run on Sunday?
No regular Sunday BM1 service is published. Use the MTA Trip Planner to find subway, local-bus or other available transportation for a Sunday journey.
5. How much is the BM1 express bus fare?
The 2026 standard adult BM1 express bus fare is $7.25. Eligible off-peak reduced-fare riders pay $3.60, subject to MTA eligibility and time restrictions.
6. Can I use OMNY on the BM1 bus?
Yes. BM1 accepts eligible OMNY contactless payment methods. Tap with an OMNY card, contactless bank card or supported smart device when boarding through the front door.
7. What is the difference between BM1 regular and Super Express?
Regular Midtown trips can serve Lower Manhattan before continuing to Midtown. Super Express trips use a different stop pattern, and Downtown Loop trips may end in Lower Manhattan instead of East 57th Street. Check the exact destination and stop list.
8. Where can I find BM1 live arrivals?
Open MTA Bus Time, search BM1, choose the direction and select your boarding stop or stop code. Read the available vehicle-arrival information and check any active detour notices.
9. Does BM1 stop at East 57th Street?
Many regular Manhattan-bound BM1 trips terminate near East 57th Street/Third Avenue, while Brooklyn-bound trips commonly begin at East 57th Street/Second Avenue. Downtown Loop and temporary detour trips may not serve the usual Midtown stops.
10. What can I take instead of BM1?
The best alternative depends on your origin and destination. BM2 serves Canarsie/Spring Creek, while X27 and X28 serve other Brooklyn corridors. For Sundays or after the last BM1, check the MTA Trip Planner for subway and local-bus options.