Easy Payment Methods For Your Next Sbs Bus Ride

If you're looking to pay for an SBS bus in New York City, there are several options available to you. The fare for an SBS bus is the same as that of the subway and local and limited bus services, at $2.75 per trip. You can pay your fare using a MetroCard, coins, or a SingleRide ticket. If you're using a MetroCard, simply insert it into the farebox near the driver, with the front of the card facing you and the black strip on the right. For coin payments, insert your exact change into the farebox. Alternatively, you can use the OMNY system and tap your contactless card, smartphone, or wearable device at the OMNY reader near the driver. It's important to note that you must pay your fare before boarding an SBS bus, and fare enforcement officers may check for your receipt, so always keep it handy.

Paying with OMNY

OMNY is a contactless payment system that allows you to pay your fare on all New York City buses, including Select Bus Service (SBS) buses. OMNY is the easiest and most flexible way to pay your bus fare. You can use your contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, wearable device, or OMNY card to tap and go. OMNY cards can be purchased for $1 at vending machines in many subway stations and can be reloaded with cash at nearby retailers and vending machines.

To pay your fare on a local, limited, or express bus, you must enter through the front door and tap your card or device on the OMNY reader, a rectangular screen near the driver. On SBS buses, you can enter through any door and use the OMNY reader located there. You can also use the same card or device for both legs of your trip to get a free transfer.

OMNY offers a 7-day fare cap of $34, which gives you unlimited rides for the rest of the week after you reach the cap. This cap resets every seven days and restarts with your next tap. It's important to note that express buses, group trips, and transfers do not count toward the cap.

When using OMNY, make sure to use the same payment method throughout your trip to qualify for benefits like free transfers. For example, if you tap your contactless card to ride the subway, you must use the same card to obtain your free transfer to a local bus.

Additionally, if you are using a new payment method with OMNY, you will not be able to perform pass-backs when using that payment method for the first time. This is because the system needs to have a record of your payment method before allowing pass-backs.

Paying with a MetroCard

If you're paying with a MetroCard, you'll need to board the SBS bus via the front door. Hold your MetroCard with the logo on the front facing you, and the black magnetic strip on the right side. Insert your card into the farebox, and your fare will be deducted automatically. Your card will then pop back out.

If you're transferring from a local bus to an SBS bus, make sure to get an SBS ticket from a sidewalk kiosk before boarding. You can do this by pressing the start button on the kiosk, inserting your MetroCard as shown, and taking the printed SBS ticket. Keep the ticket with you for your trip.

If you paid with a MetroCard and want to transfer to a non-SBS bus, simply insert your card into the fare box when you board the second bus. You should not be charged twice.

If you paid with a MetroCard and want to transfer to another SBS bus, you'll need to get another receipt from a ticket machine before boarding the second bus. Do this by pressing start, inserting your card, and taking the receipt.

Transfers are good for two hours on subways and buses.

Paying with coins

To pay with coins, look for a sidewalk kiosk with a slot for coins instead of a MetroCard. Insert your exact change, take the printed SBS ticket from the machine, and keep it with you for your trip. If the kiosk is out of service, you can board the bus and get a ticket from a MetroCard Fare Collector machine when you exit.

If you paid with coins and want to transfer to another bus, you must enter through the front door of the SBS bus and ask the driver for a transfer. You will then insert that transfer when boarding the next bus.

Paying with a card or device

You can pay for your SBS bus fare using a contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or wearable device. On local, limited, and express buses, you must enter and use the OMNY reader—a rectangular screen near the driver—at the front door. On SBS buses, you can enter at any door and use the OMNY reader there.

If you are using a mobile device, you may need to open your "wallet" app, depending on your device. Express Mode on Apple phones works with OMNY, so you can simply tap and go.

OMNY lets you pay your MTA bus fare with your phone, credit or debit card, or other wearable devices. The OMNY reader can be found immediately after entering the bus.

Using a card or device to transfer to another bus

You don’t need a paper ticket to transfer to another bus. Use the same card or device throughout your journey, and transfers will be applied automatically. OMNY is available on all MTA-operated local, limited, and Select Bus Service routes in New York City, as well as express buses.

You can transfer for free from one local bus route to another local bus route or any subway train. Transfers are good within two hours of when you paid the fare.

Paying with cash

If you're paying with cash, you'll need to use the farebox near the driver. You can pay with exact change in coins, or insert your MetroCard into the farebox. Make sure to board the bus through the front door when paying with cash.

Paying with a MetroCard

If you have a MetroCard, you can also use the farebox near the driver, inserting your card with the logo facing you and the black magnetic strip on the right. Alternatively, you can pay at a ticket kiosk near the bus stop. Press the start button, insert your MetroCard, and take the printed SBS ticket to keep with you for your trip.

Paying with OMNY

OMNY is accepted on all New York City buses, and you can pay by tapping your contactless card, smartphone, or wearable device at the OMNY reader near the driver. On SBS buses, you can enter through any door and use the OMNY reader there.

Fares

The fare for local, SBS, and limited buses is $2.90 for most riders, while express buses are $7. People aged 65 or older, or those with a qualifying disability, are eligible for reduced fares.

Frequently asked questions