Route BM5 Bus Schedule: Times, Stops & Map
The BM5 is an MTA express bus connecting Spring Creek in Brooklyn with Midtown Manhattan through Queens. It travels along Pennsylvania Avenue, Vandalia Avenue, Cozine Avenue and Linden Boulevard, then serves Cross Bay Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard before reaching East 34th Street, Madison Avenue and East 57th Street.
The BM5 runs on weekdays and Saturdays, with no regular Sunday service. The first published weekday Manhattan-bound departure is at 5:30 AM from Seaview Avenue/Pennsylvania Avenue. The standard adult express fare is $7.25.
Use this guide to find departure examples, first and last buses, major stops, Saturday service, express fares, OMNY payment, Queens boarding points, live tracking and disability-access information.
What Time Does the BM5 Bus Run?
The BM5 runs between Spring Creek and Midtown Manhattan with different timetables for each direction. On weekdays, Manhattan-bound buses start in the early morning, while Brooklyn-bound service starts later and continues into the late evening.
Open the official MTA BM5 timetable and check the schedule’s effective date, correct direction and latest service alerts.
BM5 Bus Schedule Guide
BM5 First and Last Bus Times
These are the first and last terminal departures in the reviewed official timetable, not the departure times at every stop. All times use New York local time.
| Service day | Direction | First departure | Last departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | Spring Creek → Midtown | 5:30 AM | 12:35 PM |
| Monday–Friday | Midtown → Spring Creek | 11:40 AM | 11:00 PM |
| Saturday | Spring Creek → Midtown | 7:15 AM | 1:15 PM |
| Saturday | Midtown → Spring Creek | 10:00 AM | 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Both directions | No regular service | No regular service |
What This Means for Your Journey
To understand the difference between express buses, local routes and other NYC bus prefixes, consult our MTA bus schedule guide covering all five boroughs. It also explains how to find updated route PDFs and current stop-level arrivals.
BM5 Weekday Schedule: Spring Creek to Midtown
Manhattan-bound BM5 buses begin at Seaview Avenue/Pennsylvania Avenue in Spring Creek, travel through Brooklyn and Queens, and reach Midtown via East 34th Street and Madison Avenue.
The following selected scheduled trips are from MTA’s BM5 weekday timetable effective June 29, 2025. The times are useful for understanding the travel pattern, but check for any newer schedule before boarding.
| Seaview / Pennsylvania | Ashford / Cozine | Linden / 78 St | Woodhaven / 63 Dr | E 34 St / 3 Av | E 57 St / 3 Av |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5:30 AM | 5:37 AM | 5:44 AM | 6:01 AM | 6:17 AM | 6:28 AM |
| 6:30 AM | 6:38 AM | 6:46 AM | 7:13 AM | 7:35 AM | 7:46 AM |
| 7:30 AM | 7:38 AM | 7:46 AM | 8:15 AM | 8:37 AM | 8:49 AM |
| 8:40 AM | 8:47 AM | 8:54 AM | 9:21 AM | 9:43 AM | 9:58 AM |
| 10:15 AM | 10:22 AM | 10:29 AM | 10:48 AM | 11:10 AM | 11:23 AM |
| 12:35 PM | 12:42 PM | 12:49 PM | 1:06 PM | 1:23 PM | 1:36 PM |
How Long Does BM5 Take to Reach Midtown?
These are scheduled end-to-end examples, not guaranteed actual journey times. Congestion, construction, weather and boarding delays may increase travel time.
BM5 Weekday Schedule: Midtown to Spring Creek
Brooklyn-bound BM5 service starts at East 57th Street/Second Avenue and travels via Fifth Avenue, East 34th Street, Queens and eastern Brooklyn to Spring Creek.
| E 57 St / 2 Av | 5 Av / W 48 St | E 34 St / 2 Av | Woodhaven / Penelope | Linden / 79 St | Seaview / Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:40 AM | 11:49 AM | 12:00 PM | 12:13 PM | 12:29 PM | 12:41 PM |
| 2:40 PM | 2:49 PM | 3:00 PM | 3:19 PM | 3:41 PM | 3:57 PM |
| 4:10 PM | 4:20 PM | 4:32 PM | 4:51 PM | 5:13 PM | 5:29 PM |
| 5:10 PM | 5:20 PM | 5:32 PM | 5:51 PM | 6:15 PM | 6:31 PM |
| 6:45 PM | 6:55 PM | 7:07 PM | 7:23 PM | 7:43 PM | 7:59 PM |
| 11:00 PM | 11:08 PM | 11:18 PM | 11:31 PM | 11:46 PM | 12:01 AM |
How Often Does BM5 Run During the Evening Rush?
Selected weekday Brooklyn-bound trips depart East 57th Street at 4:10, 4:30, 4:50, 5:10, 5:30 and 5:50 PM. This is approximately 20-minute service during that part of the afternoon rush.
Intervals become wider outside the busier periods. Do not assume that the BM5 runs every 20 minutes throughout the day.
BM5 Saturday Schedule and Sunday Service
Saturday BM5 service is limited compared with the weekday timetable. The reviewed MTA timetable shows hourly departures in the main Saturday service period.
Saturday: Spring Creek to Midtown
| Seaview / Pennsylvania | Woodhaven / 63 Dr | E 34 St / 3 Av | E 57 St / 3 Av |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:15 AM | 7:46 AM | 8:08 AM | 8:20 AM |
| 9:15 AM | 9:46 AM | 10:08 AM | 10:20 AM |
| 11:15 AM | 11:46 AM | 12:08 PM | 12:20 PM |
| 1:15 PM | 1:46 PM | 2:08 PM | 2:20 PM |
Saturday: Midtown to Spring Creek
| E 57 St / 2 Av | Woodhaven / Penelope | Cozine / Ashford | Seaview / Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM | 10:34 AM | 11:02 AM | 11:05 AM |
| 12:00 PM | 12:34 PM | 1:02 PM | 1:05 PM |
| 3:00 PM | 3:34 PM | 4:02 PM | 4:05 PM |
| 6:00 PM | 6:34 PM | 7:02 PM | 7:05 PM |
Does the BM5 Run on Holidays?
The reviewed official MTA BM5 timetable identifies different rules for selected holidays. Holiday service should not be inferred from the normal weekday or Saturday schedule.
The specific holiday schedule can be revised or published separately. If you travel on a holiday, check the MTA’s current service notices rather than assuming the regular BM5 timetable applies.
BM5 Bus Stops: Spring Creek, Queens and Midtown
The BM5 follows a distinctive route: it starts in Spring Creek, travels through eastern Brooklyn, serves selected stops along Cross Bay and Woodhaven Boulevards in Queens, then enters Midtown Manhattan.
This is a schematic boarding corridor, not a geographic map. The distance between stops is not shown to scale. Only the MTA’s current route map and stop list should be used for exact walking directions.
Major Manhattan-Bound BM5 Stops
- Seaview Avenue / Pennsylvania Avenue
- Pennsylvania Avenue / Hornell Loop
- Pennsylvania Avenue / Geneva Loop
- Pennsylvania Avenue / Schroeders Avenue
- Pennsylvania Avenue / Delmar Loop North
- Vandalia Avenue / Bethel Loop
- Vandalia Avenue / Van Siclen Avenue
- Van Siclen Avenue / Flatlands Avenue
- Van Siclen Avenue / Cozine Avenue
- Cozine Avenue / Schenck Avenue
- Ashford Street / Cozine Avenue
- Ashford Street / Linden Boulevard
- Linden Boulevard / Logan Street
- Linden Boulevard / Eldert Lane
- Linden Boulevard / 78th Street
- Cross Bay Boulevard / Pitkin Avenue
- Woodhaven Boulevard / Forest Park Drive
- Woodhaven Boulevard / Metropolitan Avenue
- Woodhaven Boulevard / 63rd Drive
- East 34th Street / Third Avenue
- East 34th Street / Park Avenue
- Madison Avenue / East 34th Street
- Madison Avenue / East 40th Street
- Madison Avenue / East 48th Street
- Madison Avenue / East 54th Street
- East 57th Street / Third Avenue
Brooklyn-Bound BM5 Stops in Midtown
For the return journey, the BM5 generally uses East 57th Street, Fifth Avenue and East 34th Street rather than reversing the Manhattan-bound stop sequence on Madison Avenue.
- East 57th Street / Second Avenue
- East 57th Street / Lexington Avenue
- Fifth Avenue / West 54th Street
- Fifth Avenue / West 48th Street
- Fifth Avenue / West 39th Street
- East 34th Street / Fifth Avenue
- East 34th Street / Madison Avenue
- East 34th Street / Park Avenue
- East 34th Street / Third Avenue
- East 34th Street / Second Avenue
How to Find the Correct BM5 Stop on a Map
- Open MTA Bus Time.
- Search for BM5.
- Select the Manhattan-bound or Spring Creek-bound direction.
- Choose the exact intersection from the stop list.
- Check the stop’s location and six-digit code when shown.
- Look for current service alerts or temporary stop changes.
- Use walking directions to reach the physical bus-stop sign.
If you need to compare the actual walking distance between Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue and your destination, our Google Maps bus-route and transit directions guide explains how to check walking connections and departure times. Use the MTA route page for final stop and detour confirmation.
Does BM5 Stop in Queens?
Yes. Although BM5 is a Brooklyn–Manhattan express route, it serves several stops in Queens along Cross Bay Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard.
Why This Matters for Queens Riders
You do not necessarily need to start in Brooklyn to use BM5. If you are near its listed Queens stops, BM5 may provide a direct express-bus option to Midtown.
However, not every point along Woodhaven Boulevard is a BM5 stop. The route is an express service with selected boarding points, not a regular local bus stopping on every block.
BM5 vs BM2: Which Brooklyn Express Bus Should You Take?
BM5 and BM2 both serve parts of Spring Creek, but their routes across Brooklyn and Manhattan are different.
| Travel detail | BM5 | BM2 |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn corridor | Pennsylvania Avenue, Vandalia, Cozine and Linden Boulevard. | Canarsie, Avenue M, Avenue H and Cortelyou Road. |
| Queens stops | Serves selected Cross Bay and Woodhaven Boulevard stops. | Follows a different corridor. |
| Manhattan service | Midtown-focused service. | Some trips serve Downtown and Midtown; individual patterns vary. |
| Fare | $7.25 express fare. | $7.25 express fare. |
| Sunday | No regular service. | No regular service in the reviewed timetable. |
If you travel from the Canarsie or Avenue M area rather than the BM5’s Linden Boulevard corridor, our BM2 bus schedule for Canarsie, Spring Creek and Manhattan can help you compare stops, Downtown/Midtown service patterns and travel times before choosing the correct express bus.
What About X28?
X28 serves a separate Brooklyn–Manhattan corridor, including Bensonhurst and Sea Gate. It is not a direct substitute for BM5 in Spring Creek. If your intended origin is in southwestern Brooklyn, our X28 express bus timetable and route map guide explains its different boarding pattern and Manhattan destinations.
How Much Is the BM5 Bus Fare?
The BM5 is an MTA express bus, so the standard local bus fare does not apply. The current regular adult BM5 fare is $7.25 per ride.
BM5 Express vs Local Bus Fare
When Is the Reduced BM5 Fare Available?
MTA’s express-bus reduced-fare policy allows eligible seniors and riders with qualifying disabilities to use the discounted fare outside weekday peak hours.
Does the $35 OMNY Weekly Cap Cover BM5?
Do not confuse the $35 subway/local-bus cap with the express-bus cap. MTA lists a $67 rolling seven-day cap for eligible travel that includes express buses, subways and local buses when the rider uses the same qualifying payment credential.
Read MTA’s current bus fares, transfer rules and weekly caps.
How to Pay for the BM5 Express Bus
MTA accepts contactless OMNY payment on express buses. You can use an accepted credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device or loaded OMNY Card.
Can You Pay Cash on the BM5?
MTA’s current fare page describes exact-coin cash payment for local, limited, rush and Select Bus Service buses, not as the standard BM5 express-bus payment method. For BM5, prepare an accepted OMNY payment method or another fare medium explicitly accepted by MTA.
Can You Still Use a MetroCard?
MTA ended MetroCard sales and refills on January 1, 2026. The current MTA fare page says remaining valid MetroCard value may be used during the transition or transferred to OMNY through the supported process. Check the latest acceptance policy before depending on an older MetroCard.
How Do BM5 Transfers Work?
MTA provides eligible transfers within two hours when you use the same card or device. If transferring from a $3 local bus or subway to BM5, the system charges the difference between the local and $7.25 express fare under the applicable transfer policy.
Open official OMNY information to learn about accepted cards, payment setup, account management and fare capping.
How to Track the BM5 Bus in Real Time
MTA Bus Time provides route- and stop-specific vehicle information when available. It is more useful for immediate boarding than a saved timetable screenshot.
Open official MTA Bus Time for BM5.
Example: Fifth Avenue / West 39th Street
MTA Bus Time identifies stop code 450057 for Fifth Avenue/West 39th Street, where BM5 Spring Creek-bound buses may be listed.
- Open MTA Bus Time.
- Enter stop code 450057.
- Check that the stop name is Fifth Avenue/West 39th Street.
- Look for BM5 toward Spring Creek.
- Review the distance, stop count or predicted arrival.
- Confirm that no active detour has moved the boarding location.
Open MTA’s Fifth Avenue/West 39th Street stop lookup.
Text-Message Arrival Information
MTA also supports stop-code-based SMS arrival lookup. Use the six-digit code for the actual stop and follow the current instructions on the official MTA Bus Time help page. Do not reuse a Manhattan stop code for a different Queens or Brooklyn location.
BM5 Service Alerts: What Could Change Your Trip?
BM5 passes through several traffic-sensitive corridors, including Woodhaven Boulevard, East 34th Street, Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue. Street closures, construction, parades, traffic incidents and operator shortages can affect scheduled service.
Transit alert feeds have referenced temporary BM5 stop arrangements affecting the Midtown 57th Street area. Such notices are time-specific and should not be treated as permanently active without checking the latest MTA route notice.
Open the current service-alert page, search for BM5, confirm the affected direction and dates, and follow any listed replacement stop instructions.
How to Check Today’s BM5 Service Status
- Open MTA service alerts.
- Find the bus alerts and route search or filtering option.
- Search BM5.
- Read the affected direction and trip time.
- Check whether the notice affects your boarding intersection.
- Identify any temporary replacement stop.
- Recheck MTA Bus Time shortly before departure.
Is the BM5 Express Bus Wheelchair Accessible?
MTA states that its buses are wheelchair accessible. Coach-style express buses use lifts, which differ from the low-floor ramps commonly found on local buses.
How to Board BM5 With a Wheelchair or Mobility Device
- Verify that your intended stop is served in the correct direction.
- Check the physical boarding space and current stop alerts.
- Wait in a safe, visible location.
- Signal the operator if you need the wheelchair lift.
- Follow the operator’s boarding instructions.
- Use the designated securement area as directed.
- Request assistance before reaching your exit stop if needed.
Accessible Transfers to Subway or Local Buses
Although BM5 serves Midtown near several subway corridors, not every station entrance has step-free access. Choose a station with confirmed elevator or ramp access when required and check for elevator outages.
Open MTA accessibility information and accessible travel resources.
Download the BM5 Bus Schedule PDF
The MTA’s official BM5 document includes weekday and Saturday timepoint tables, stop lists, holiday notes and fare instructions.
Route: Spring Creek–Midtown via Pennsylvania Avenue, Linden Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard.
Document effective: June 29, 2025.
Open official MTA BM5 PDFUse the MTA’s live route finder to confirm the current stop sequence, scheduled service and vehicle arrivals.
Open live BM5 informationHow to Read the BM5 Timetable PDF
- Open the official BM5 timetable link.
- Read the effective date printed on the document.
- Choose the weekday or Saturday section.
- Choose the correct direction: Midtown or Spring Creek.
- Find the major timepoint nearest your stop.
- Read the selected trip across the timetable.
- Check whether the scheduled arrival is after midnight.
- Read the holiday-service notes.
- Compare the timetable with current MTA Bus Time and alerts.
What If BM5 Is Not Running?
When BM5 is unavailable on Sunday, a holiday or after the final departure, you may need a combination of subway and local bus services. No single alternate route necessarily duplicates all BM5 stops.
How to Find a Safe Alternate Journey
- Open the official MTA trip planning website.
- Enter your exact starting point.
- Enter the final destination, not just Spring Creek or Midtown.
- Set your actual date and departure or arrival time.
- Compare local buses and subway journeys.
- Check total travel time, walking distance and transfers.
- Check accessibility and safety of the planned connection.
- Confirm the final return trip before leaving.
Common BM5 Travel Problems and Solutions
The regular route does not publish Sunday service. Search for local bus/subway alternatives.
Check the schedule, selected direction and service alerts. A missing vehicle prediction does not always prove cancellation.
Check the actual Brooklyn-bound stop list. Fifth Avenue and East 34th Street are important return corridors.
Confirm your exact Cross Bay or Woodhaven Boulevard stop. BM5 does not stop at every local bus stop along those roads.
Use the official trip planner for a combination of local transit services. Check the full return journey before setting out.
Check whether the card/device is supported, review any reader message and use another accepted payment method when necessary.
How to Find Your Exact BM5 Departure
- Open the official BM5 schedule. Visit the MTA timetable page for BM5.
- Check the effective date. Confirm whether the document is still the current version for your travel day.
- Choose your service day. Use weekday or Saturday service; do not assume Sunday operation.
- Choose the correct direction. Select Midtown or Spring Creek.
- Find your boarding stop. Check the full stop list, not only the major PDF timepoints.
- Read your trip across. Follow the same bus from its first listed timepoint toward your destination.
- Check MTA Bus Time. Search BM5 and select your exact stop or six-digit code.
- Read current alerts. Look for trip cancellations, detours or relocated stops.
- Prepare your express fare. Check your OMNY payment method and eligibility for any reduced fare.
- Arrive early. Reach the correct stop several minutes before the departure and verify the bus headsign.
BM5 Customer Service and Lost Property
Use the MTA website to submit feedback, report a problem or find lost-and-found instructions.
Open MTA contact informationInformation to Include When Reporting a BM5 Problem
- Bus route BM5
- Travel date and approximate time
- Manhattan-bound or Brooklyn-bound
- Exact boarding stop or code
- Bus number, if available
- Description of the issue or missing item
BM5 Express Bus Boarding Checklist
- Confirm the bus number is BM5.
- Choose Midtown or Spring Creek direction.
- Check weekday, Saturday or holiday service.
- Remember there is no regular Sunday service.
- Identify your exact boarding intersection.
- Read the full stop list for Queens or Manhattan.
- Prepare the $7.25 express fare.
- Check eligibility and peak-hour reduced-fare rules.
- Review MTA Bus Time and current detours.
- Confirm the final return departure before traveling.
Official BM5 Schedule, Map, Fare and Tracker Sources
Published route timepoints, stop lists, weekday and Saturday schedules, and holiday instructions.
Open BM5 timetable PDFRoute schedule access and current official information.
Open BM5 schedule pageDirection-specific stops, live predictions and route alerts.
Track BM5 busesExpress fares, payment methods, reduced fares, transfers and weekly fare caps.
Check MTA faresBus detours, individual trip cancellations and planned changes.
Check current MTA alertsAccessible bus travel, lifts, qualifying reduced fares and rider assistance.
Open accessible travel resourcesContactless payment information, card purchase and account management.
Open OMNYCustomer service, feedback and assistance options.
Contact MTAIndependent publication: BusSchedule.us is not the Metropolitan Transportation Authority or MTA Bus Company. This article does not operate buses, sell official tickets, control service alerts or guarantee arrival predictions.
BM5 Bus Schedule FAQs
1. Where does the BM5 bus go?
The BM5 is an MTA express bus connecting Spring Creek in Brooklyn with Midtown Manhattan through Queens. It serves Pennsylvania Avenue, Vandalia Avenue, Linden Boulevard, Cross Bay Boulevard, Woodhaven Boulevard, East 34th Street and the Midtown avenue corridor.
2. What time does BM5 start on weekdays?
The reviewed official weekday timetable lists the first Manhattan-bound departure from Seaview Avenue/Pennsylvania Avenue at 5:30 AM and the first Spring Creek-bound departure from East 57th Street/Second Avenue at 11:40 AM.
3. What time is the last BM5 bus?
The reviewed weekday timetable lists the last Manhattan-bound departure from Spring Creek at 12:35 PM and the final Brooklyn-bound departure from East 57th Street/Second Avenue at 11:00 PM. The last return trip reaches Spring Creek after midnight. Verify the latest MTA timetable for your exact stop.
4. Does BM5 run on Saturday and Sunday?
BM5 has a separate Saturday timetable with approximately hourly departures during much of its service period. The regular timetable does not include Sunday service.
5. How much is the BM5 bus fare?
The regular adult BM5 express bus fare is $7.25. Eligible seniors and riders with qualifying disabilities may pay the $3.60 reduced express fare outside restricted weekday peak hours.
6. Does BM5 stop in Queens?
Yes. BM5 serves selected stops along Cross Bay Boulevard and Woodhaven Boulevard in Queens, including locations near Pitkin Avenue, Forest Park Drive, Metropolitan Avenue and 63rd Drive.
7. Does BM5 go to Downtown Manhattan?
BM5 is a Midtown-focused express route, not a regular Financial District service. Riders traveling to Lower Manhattan should compare other MTA express, subway and local-bus options.
8. Can I use OMNY on BM5?
Yes. MTA accepts OMNY tap-and-go payments on express buses with eligible contactless cards, smartphones, wearables or OMNY Cards. Use the same credential for eligible transfers and the express-bus fare cap.
9. Is BM5 wheelchair accessible?
MTA’s coach-style express buses use wheelchair lifts. Passengers should confirm their boarding stop, accessible sidewalk conditions and any needed mobility assistance before traveling.
10. Where can I track BM5 live?
Use official MTA Bus Time. Search BM5, choose the direction toward Midtown or Spring Creek, select your exact stop and review available predictions and current service alerts.