Both the MTA and private bus companies provide daily service into and out of Lower Manhattan.

MTA

Schedules | Fares

Local: With the exception of the B51, which crosses into Brooklyn, these bus lines travel within Manhattan only: M1, M6, M9, M15, M20, M22, M103, B51

Express: These buses make limited stops only, with frequent service during the morning and afternoon rush hours:

From Upper Manhattan: X25 (weekdays only), X90,

From Staten Island: X1, X3, X4, X6, X7, X8, X9, X11, X13, X15, X16, X17, X18, X19, X20

From Brooklyn: X27 & X28 (daily), X29, X37, X38 (weekends)

Bus stops are located at street corners and have a tall, round sign with a bus emblem and route number. Many stops have bus shelters, sign-posted route maps and other information. Inside the bus, there are marked tape strips between the windows that you should press to signal the driver to stop.

Fares

MTA bus fare is $2 per person, and express bus fare is $5. Fares can be paid either in exact change or with a MetroCard, a single card that can hold multiple fares. If you qualify for Reduced Fare, you can travel for half fare. Up to three children 44 inches tall and under ride for free when accompanied by a fare paying adult. There are three kinds of MetroCards:

Unlimited Ride MetroCard lets you ride all you want for one price. The more you ride, the less each ride costs. You can buy: 7-day Unlimited (Cost: $24, reduced fare $12. Good for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight 7 days from day of first use); 30-Day Unlimited (Cost: $76, reduced fare $38. Good for unlimited subway and local bus rides until midnight, 30 days from day of first use. This card is insured against loss when purchased at a vending machine with a credit or debit/ATM card); or 7-day Express Plus (Cost: $41, reduced fare not available.Good for unlimited express bus, local bus, and subway rides until midnight, 7 days from first use.)

The Fun Pass gives you a day of unlimited subway and local bus rides for $7. Reduced fare not available.

Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard gets you 12 rides for the price of 10. The MTA automatically adds 20 percent when you put $10 or more on your card at one time.

MetroCards can be purchased with cash, credit or debit cards at vending machines in subway stations or through participating merchants.

Reduced fares are available for senior citizens and people with disabilities at the reduced fare MetroCard office in Brooklyn.

Connecting Between Buses and Subways

If you pay your fare with MetroCard, you may transfer free from bus to subway, subway to bus, or bus to bus within two hours of the time you paid your fare. Unlimited Ride MetroCard includes all transfers, at no charge. If you pay your fare with cash, you may transfer free between buses with intersecting routes. Ask the bus driver for a transfer when you pay your fare. The transfer is a single-use MetroCard with a black strip along the bottom. When you catch your connecting bus, insert the transfer into the bus farebox -- black stripe to the right side. Transfers are good for two hours from the time you paid your fare.

Private Bus Lines

To and From New Jersey:

• New Jersey Transit
  Bus #120 serves Lower Manhattan
• Academy Lines
• Suburban Transit
  

To and from Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens:

• Command Bus Company
  Phone: (718) 277-8100
• Liberty Lines Express (operated by the MTA)
  Phone: (718) 652-8400
• Triboro Coach Corporation
  Phone: (718) 335-1000
  

To and from Staten Island:

• Atlantic Express

Within Lower Manhattan:

• Downtown Connection
  The Alliance for Downtown New York and Battery Park City Authority offer free shuttle bus service called "Downtown Connection." The bus travels from Battery Park City to Battery Place along Water Street to the South Street Seaport area. Service is available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and buses run approximately every 10 minutes, picking up passengers at stops marked with the "Downtown CoNNection" logo. Visit the Alliance's website for a route map.

Some companies offer private transportation for their employees. If you work in Lower Manhattan, check with your employer to see whether additional transportation options are available for you.