MTA Bx7 Bus Route Guide 2026: Schedule, Stops, Fares, And Transit Connections

The MTA New York City Transit Bx7 bus route operates as a critical transit corridor connecting Upper Manhattan and the Northwest Bronx. If you are searching for route specifications, schedule frequencies, fare payment protocols via OMNY, or northern terminal transfers near Broadway and 242nd Street, this guide covers the operational details for navigating the Bx7 corridor throughout 2026.

Operational Overview of the Bx7 Bus Corridor

Operating out of the Kingsbridge Bus Depot, the Bx7 serves daily commuters traveling along Broadway, Saint Nicholas Avenue, and Riverdale Avenue. The line spans two boroughs, linking the Washington Heights transit hub at West 168th Street in Manhattan to the residential enclave of Riverdale at West 263rd Street in the Bronx.

Because the Bx7 runs parallel to segments of the New York City Subway's Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line (the 1 train) and the Eighth Avenue Line (the A train), it functions both as a local collector for residential neighborhoods lacking direct subway access and as an essential surface alternative during planned subway maintenance work.

Key Route Terminals and Trajectory

• Manhattan Southern Terminal: West 167th Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue / West 168th Street and Broadway (connecting directly to the 168th Street Subway Station serving the 1, A, and C trains, as well as the Columbia University Irving Medical Center).
• Bronx Northern Terminal: West 263rd Street and Riverdale Avenue (near the College of Mount Saint Vincent and the Westchester County border at Yonkers).
• Major Intermediary Corridors: Broadway through Inwood, the Broadway Bridge across the Harlem River Ship Canal, West 230th Street, Johnson Avenue, and Riverdale Avenue through the Spuyten Duyvil and Riverdale neighborhoods.

Service Note on Route AlignmentSouthbound and northbound buses split routing through sections of Riverdale. Northbound trips utilize Henry Hudson Parkway East and Riverdale Avenue, while southbound runs route through Johnson Avenue and Oxford Avenue before rejoining Broadway at West 230th Street. Always verify the digital destination sign on the bus header prior to boarding.

Bx7 Service Frequency, Timetable, and Peak Hours for 2026

The Bx7 provides 24-hour service across weekdays, weekends, and holidays, though headways vary significantly based on peak demand, school dismissal surges along Riverdale Avenue, and late-night overnight schedules.

Weekday Schedule Patterns

During morning peak hours (6:30 AM to 9:30 AM), southbound service toward Manhattan operates at intervals of 8 to 12 minutes to accommodate commuter volume transferring to the subway at 242nd Street, 207th Street, and 168th Street.

Midday service maintains steady 12- to 15-minute intervals. Evening peak travel (3:30 PM to 7:00 PM) sees northbound intervals of approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Late-night overnight service operates under scheduled 30-minute intervals from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM.

Weekend Schedule Patterns

• Saturday Service: Day headways run every 12 to 15 minutes between 9:00 AM and 7:00 PM, tapering to 20 minutes in early mornings and late evenings.
• Sunday Service: Buses arrive every 15 to 20 minutes across the morning and afternoon, adjusting to 30-minute headways overnight.

2026 Real-Time Tracking via MTA Bus Time

Transit riders can confirm bus locations in real time using the MTA Bus Time system. Each bus stop along the Bx7 route features a unique 6-digit code posted on the blue and green street signs. Texting this 6-digit code to 266-288 (the official MTA SMS dispatch query) returns the real-time distance and estimated arrival time of the next three approaching buses. Commuters can also monitor vehicle positions via web interfaces and integrated transit mapping applications.

Comprehensive Stop Directory and Major Transfer Hubs

The Bx7 stops at key intersections, medical facilities, educational centers, and rail stations across Upper Manhattan and the Northwest Bronx.

Fares, Payment Infrastructure, and Transfer Regulations

Traveling on the Bx7 requires standard New York City local bus fare. The transit network in 2026 operates fully on contactless fare settlement, providing unified fare capping and transfer validation across city operations.

OMNY Digital Payment Architecture

The One Metro New York (OMNY) system serves as the primary fare payment mechanism. Riders tap a contactless credit or debit card, a smartphone enabled with Apple Pay, Google Wallet, or Samsung Wallet, or a physical OMNY card against the digital readers stationed at the bus entrance doors.

• Standard Base Fare: The local bus fare remains $2.90 per ride.
• Seven-Day Fare Capping: Tapping the same physical card or digital device for all journeys triggers the automatic weekly fare cap once twelve paid rides are reached within a rolling Monday-through-Sunday tracking window. Subsequent rides within that calendar week cost nothing.
• Reduced-Fare Customers: Eligible seniors (age 65+) and individuals with qualifying disabilities who have enrolled their accounts receive a 50% discount automatically when utilizing an authorized Reduced-Fare OMNY card or linked bank profile.

Cash and Legacy Fare Media

Riders paying with cash must deposit exact change in coins ($2.90) into the mechanical fare box beside the operator. Bus operators cannot make change, and paper currency, half-dollars, and pennies are rejected by fare collection mechanisms. When paying cash, request a paper bus transfer slip from the operator at the moment of payment if your travel itinerary requires an intersecting Bronx or Manhattan local bus line.

Transfer Window Rules

Tapping with OMNY grants an automatic two-hour electronic transfer window from the initial tap. Passengers can transfer between:

• The Bx7 bus and the New York City Subway network.
• The Bx7 bus and an intersecting local, limited, or Select Bus Service (SBS) bus line (such as the Bx12 SBS at 207th Street or the Bx9 at 231st Street).

Critical Transfer ProtocolTo secure your free transfer without incurring a second $2.90 charge, you must use the exact same card, physical device, or wearable tool on the transfer reader that was used to pay the initial fare. Using an iPhone for the first tap and a physical credit card tied to the same bank account for the second tap will not register as an interrelated transfer.

Practical Rider Navigation: Route Nuances and Commuter Strategies

Navigating the Bx7 efficiently requires an understanding of distinct street challenges along its 6.5-mile path. Traffic congestion, elevation shifts, and overlapping routes require strategic decision-making.

Navigating the Broadway and Riverdale Elevation Divergence

At West 230th Street, the Bx7 transitions from the low-lying Broadway valley upward along the steep grades into Central and North Riverdale. If you are headed to Van Cortlandt Park, Horace Mann School, or Manhattan College, note that the Bx7 climbs toward Johnson and Riverdale Avenues rather than remaining entirely on Broadway north of 231st Street. Riders seeking northern Broadway destinations past 238th Street should transfer to the Bx9 at 231st Street or utilize the 1 subway line to 242nd Street.

Managing Peak Bottlenecks

1. The Broadway Bridge (Marble Hill): Marine traffic openings on the Harlem River Ship Canal can occasionally create sudden vehicular backlogs affecting both directions of the Bx7 between 220th Street and 225th Street.
2. West 181st Street Corridor: The dense retail hub surrounding 181st Street in Washington Heights frequently experiences curbside delivery friction. Commuters heading south to Columbia University Medical Center during morning peak hours often save 10 to 15 minutes by transferring directly to the 1 or A subway trains at 207th Street or Dyckman Street.
3. School Influx Periods: Between 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM on weekdays, buses traveling through Riverdale experience heavy boardings near institutional campuses. Expect crowded conditions between 236th Street and 254th Street.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the starting and ending terminals of the Bx7 bus?

The Bx7 operates between West 167th Street/168th Street and Saint Nicholas Avenue in Washington Heights, Manhattan, and West 263rd Street and Riverdale Avenue in Riverdale, Bronx. It passes through Inwood, Marble Hill, and Kingsbridge along its route.

Commuters can board at any marked station between these northern and southern terminal points. The route terminates immediately in front of the College of Mount Saint Vincent campus at the Westchester border.

How often does the Bx7 run during peak commuter hours?

During weekday rush hours, the Bx7 arrives approximately every 8 to 12 minutes. Midday and weekend headways typically span 12 to 20 minutes, while overnight service runs on a 30-minute interval.

These frequencies are maintained under the MTA 2026 timetable, though adverse weather, double-parking along Broadway, or bridge openings across the Harlem River can temporarily widen intervals between buses.

How do I pay the fare on the Bx7 bus?

The fastest payment method is tapping a contactless bank card, smartphone wallet, or OMNY card on the reader located at the front entry door. You may also deposit $2.90 in exact coins directly into the onboard fare box.

Paying with OMNY automatically manages the two-hour free transfer policy to intersecting subway lines and local bus routes, while cash riders must request a paper transfer slip from the operator.

Does the Bx7 connect directly to the New York City Subway?

Yes, the Bx7 provides direct connections to the 1 train at 168th St, Dyckman St, 207th St, 215th St, 225th St, and 231st St, as well as the A train at 168th St, 175th St, 181st St, 190th St, Dyckman St, and 207th St.

This dual-line access makes the Bx7 one of the most flexible surface transit links for moving between Upper Manhattan transfer stations and the Northwest Bronx.

Can I transfer from the Bx7 to Westchester County Bee-Line buses?

Yes, free or discounted transfers are available at designated interchange points, including near the 242nd Street hub and at the northern terminus at 263rd Street for Bee-Line Route 8.

Riders using OMNY can complete transfers to qualifying Bee-Line buses seamlessly using their contactless device within the standard two-hour transfer window.

What should I do if a Bx7 bus bypasses my stop?

A bus will typically bypass a stop only if it has reached full passenger capacity or is running out of service directly to the Kingsbridge Depot.

To determine when the next vehicle will arrive, text the 6-digit stop code found on the bus stop pole to 266-288 (MTA Bus Time) to view the precise locations and real-time arrival estimates of following buses.

Optimizing Your Daily Transit Itinerary

Whether you are commuting to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, navigating the academic institutions of Riverdale, or coordinating cross-borough travel into Westchester County, mastering the Bx7 corridor provides a reliable transit backbone. Check the MTA Bus Time platform before your departure, ensure your contactless OMNY device is primed for payment, and keep track of real-time service advisories along Broadway to streamline your commute.