Bee Line Bus: Routes, Schedules, Fares & Tracker 2026 

The Bee-Line Bus System is Westchester County’s public bus network, operated by the county’s Department of Public Works and Transportation since May 1, 1978. It runs 64 routes across Westchester, Putnam, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Greenwich, Connecticut, carrying roughly 81,613 riders daily. Fares use the OMNY contactless payment system, with cash and coins also accepted.

Westchester County’s Bee-Line Bus System has connected commuters, students, and families across the region for over four decades. More than 65% of county residents live within walking distance of a route, making it one of the more accessible suburban bus networks in the country. Whether you’re heading to White Plains for work, connecting to the New York City subway from the Bronx, or riding to a doctor’s appointment through ParaTransit, the system covers an unusually wide service area for a county-run operation.

What Is the Bee-Line Bus System?

The Bee-Line Bus System is Westchester County’s public transit network, founded in 1978 to consolidate 13 private bus companies under one county-run authority. It operates 64 routes with 327 fixed-route buses, serving Westchester and Putnam counties, the Bronx, Manhattan, and Greenwich, Connecticut. Liberty Lines Transit runs most routes, while P.T.L.A. Enterprise operates routes 16, 18, and 31.

Service is densest in the southern part of the county  Yonkers, Mount Vernon, and New Rochelle  while northern towns like Mount Kisco, Ossining, and Peekskill have lighter, more spread-out coverage. Some rural pockets, including Lewisboro, North Salem, and Pound Ridge, are served only by ParaTransit.

What Bee-Line Bus Routes Are Available?

Bee-Line operates 64 numbered routes connecting Westchester’s cities, villages, and transit hubs, plus express service into Manhattan via the BxM4C. Major routes include Route 1 (Bronx–Tarrytown–White Plains), Route 13 (Ossining–Port Chester–Rye), and Route 12, which briefly crosses into Greenwich, Connecticut.

White Plains’ TransCenter functions as the system’s central hub, with many routes converging there. Here’s a sample of key routes:

Most routes into the Bronx operate “closed door,” meaning you can’t board and exit entirely within the Bronx  you’d use MTA buses for that instead. Exceptions include Routes 40, 41, 42, 43, and 45, which do allow local Bronx trips along specific corridors. For the full, current route list with PDF timetables, check the official schedules and maps page, since route numbers and corridors occasionally shift with seasonal service changes.

Bee-Line Bus Schedule: How Do I Find Current Times?

Each Bee-Line route has its own timetable, published as a downloadable PDF on the Westchester County Department of Transportation website. Schedules change seasonally  a Fall 2026 service change took effect September 7, 2026  so always confirm you’re viewing the most recent version before you travel.

To find your schedule:

1. Locate your route number in the schedule table
2. Download the PDF (requires free Adobe Reader)
3. Check the effective date at the top to confirm it’s current

Holiday schedules are published separately in English and Spanish, and the system map itself is updated periodically (most recently January 2026). Loop routes (A, B, C, F, H) serve shorter local circuits and have their own separate schedules.

Bee-Line Bus Schedule Today: What Should I Check Before I Ride?

For same-day service, check the Bee-Line Service Alerts page rather than the standard printed schedule, since alerts reflect real-time detours, delays, and holiday adjustments. Regular schedules don’t account for last-minute disruptions like weather delays or road closures.

Before heading out today:

• Check Service Alerts for detours or delays on your route
• Confirm it isn’t a holiday with modified service  Bee-Line now runs limited service on Thanksgiving and Christmas (a change starting in 2025), whereas both days previously had no service at all
• Use Google Maps or the Moovit app for live arrival estimates rather than the static timetable
• Call customer service at (914) 813-7777 if you need to speak with a live agent (weekdays 6 a.m.–8 p.m., weekends and holidays 8 a.m.–6 p.m.)

If you’re planning a trip for later today, subscribing to email service alerts is the most reliable way to catch changes before you leave the house.

Bee-Line Bus Tracker: How Do I Track My Bus in Real Time?

Bee-Line doesn’t offer a standalone tracking app; instead, riders track buses in real time through Google Maps or the third-party Moovit app. Both pull live location and arrival data for Bee-Line vehicles, so you can see exactly when your bus will reach your stop.

To track your bus:

• Google Maps: Open the app, tap the transit icon, and enter your route or stop  real-time arrival predictions appear alongside the standard schedule
• Moovit: Download the app and select the Bee-Line Bus agency to view live arrivals, delays, and route maps for any of the system’s routes

Neither tool is officially built by Westchester County, so the county’s disclaimer applies: it doesn’t guarantee the accuracy of third-party map data. If your bus tracker shows something that doesn’t match posted signage at your stop, trust the printed Rideguide and Stop ID at the physical stop, or call customer service to confirm.

How Do I Pay for the Bee-Line Bus?

Bee-Line switched from MetroCard to the OMNY contactless payment system on January 4, 2026, at 5:00 a.m. Riders can tap a contactless credit or debit card, a digital wallet, a smartwatch, or an OMNY card. Coins are also accepted, and as of July 20, 2026, $1, $2, $5, and $10 bills are accepted as well  but the farebox does not give change, so exact fare matters if you’re paying cash.

Here’s how current fares break down:

MetroCards were phased out for good on July 20, 2026, so anyone still holding one should use it up or convert the balance to an OMNY card at the OMNY Mobile Sales Van, which travels to various Westchester locations.

How Do Transfers Work on the Bee-Line Bus?

Transfers are free within a two-hour window when paying with OMNY, and they extend to MTA subways and local buses in the Bronx, not just other Bee-Line routes. If you’re paying cash, ask the driver for a paper transfer ticket when boarding  paper transfers only work for bus-to-bus connections, not subway transfers.

A few transfer specifics worth knowing:

• Tap the same OMNY card, phone, or contactless card for both legs of your trip to register the transfer correctly
• Transferring to an MTA Bus express route carries a $3.85 “step-up” charge, even with OMNY
• The BxM4C accepts no transfers at all, in either direction
• Transfers to Hudson Link, CT Transit’s Route 311/311B, or Putnam Transit require a paper transfer rather than an electronic tap

If your trip involves multiple systems  say, a Bee-Line ride followed by a subway connection in the Bronx  planning your payment method in advance avoids paying twice by accident.

How Do I Plan a Trip on the Bee-Line Bus?

The two primary trip-planning tools are Google Maps and the 511NY Trip Planner, both of which generate full itineraries including walking directions, transfer points, and estimated travel times. Neither is built by Westchester County, so cross-check trip details against the official schedule for your route when precision matters.

For a typical Google Maps trip:

1. Open Maps and tap the directions icon
2. Select the transit mode and enter your start and end points
3. Tap “options” and select “bus” to prioritize Bee-Line and connecting routes
4. Tap “details” for step-by-step walking directions, the bus’s destination sign, and the Stop ID posted at your boarding location

511NY works best in Chrome or Firefox (it doesn’t support Internet Explorer) and lets you filter by wheelchair accessibility, preferred trip time, or fewest transfers. Both tools carry a disclaimer that Westchester County doesn’t independently verify their accuracy  if a suggested route seems off, a quick call to customer service can confirm it.

What Accessibility Services Does Bee-Line Offer?

Every Bee-Line bus is wheelchair accessible, with a kneeling feature that lowers the entrance step and a lift or ramp the driver deploys on request. Seniors and riders with disabilities also qualify for the $1.50 reduced fare, and can apply for a personalized Reduced Fare OMNY Card.

To use accessibility features:

• Ask the driver to “kneel” the bus if boarding is difficult
• Request the wheelchair lift or ramp  drivers won’t deploy it automatically
• Always hold the handrails while boarding or exiting
• Apply for a Reduced Fare OMNY Card at the OMNY Mobile Sales Van with photo ID showing your date of birth

For riders who can’t use fixed-route buses at all, Bee-Line ParaTransit is the ADA-mandated alternative, discussed below.

Who Qualifies for Bee-Line ParaTransit, and How Do I Book a Ride?

Bee-Line ParaTransit is a shared-ride, curb-to-curb service for people functionally unable to use regular fixed-route buses, and eligible riders must book trips one to seven days in advance. ParaTransit only operates within ¾ mile of an existing Bee-Line route and during that route’s normal service hours.

Eligibility falls into three categories: Conditional (can use fixed-route buses for some trips but not others), Unconditional (cannot use fixed-route service under any circumstance), and Temporary (short-term disability, granted up to 12 months before re-evaluation).

To apply, contact the Westchester County Office for People with Disabilities at 148 Martine Avenue, Room 102, White Plains, NY 10601, or call (914) 995-1935. If your application is denied, you have 60 days to file a written appeal, and you’re entitled to choose between an in-person or written appeal hearing.

How Does Bee-Line Compare to Other Regional Transit Options?

Bee-Line is generally the most direct and affordable option for trips within Westchester or into the Bronx, while Metro-North handles faster Manhattan commutes and the BxM4C express bus offers a one-seat ride into Manhattan without a train transfer. Which option makes sense depends on your destination and how much you value speed versus cost.

Riders commuting from stations like White Plains or Yonkers into Manhattan often combine a UniTicket  a discounted monthly pass bundling bus and Metro-North fare  for the best value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bee-Line Bus still accept MetroCards?
No. MetroCard sales ended December 31, 2025, and MetroCards stopped being accepted on Bee-Line buses entirely as of July 20, 2026. Riders should switch to an OMNY card, contactless payment, or exact cash.

Can I pay with dollar bills on the Bee-Line Bus?
Yes, as of July 20, 2026, the farebox accepts $1, $2, $5, and $10 bills, along with coins. The farebox does not provide change, so bring exact fare if paying cash.

Is there a weekly unlimited pass for the Bee-Line Bus?
Yes. Using OMNY, riders automatically receive unlimited trips for the remainder of a 7-day period after spending $35 (or $17.50 for reduced-fare riders) within that window. This fare cap excludes the BxM4C express route.

How much luggage can I bring on the Bee-Line Bus?
Westchester County’s published Bee-Line materials don’t list a specific luggage limit for standard riders. Passengers should keep bags manageable enough to avoid blocking the aisle or priority seating, and confirm any specific concerns with customer service before traveling with large items.

Does the Bee-Line Bus have Wi-Fi or charging outlets?
Official Bee-Line materials reviewed for this guide do not mention onboard Wi-Fi or charging outlets. Riders needing connectivity for a trip should plan accordingly rather than assume availability.

What happens if I miss my ParaTransit pickup window?
Bee-Line’s public ParaTransit materials don’t detail a specific missed-pickup policy in the sources reviewed here. Riders should contact ParaTransit customer service directly to confirm rebooking procedures and any no-show consequences.

Can I bring a bike on the Bee-Line Bus?
Yes, Bee-Line buses are equipped with exterior bike racks. Westchester County publishes a bike rack brochure in English and Spanish with loading instructions, available on the schedules and maps page.

Is the Bee-Line Bus free for seniors?
No, seniors don’t ride free under standard fare rules  they pay a reduced fare of $1.50 per ride with a Reduced Fare OMNY Card. However, the county has occasionally run promotional free-ride days for seniors, such as past “Salute to Seniors Day” events, which are announced separately and aren’t a standing policy.

How do I get a Reduced Fare OMNY Card?
Visit the OMNY Mobile Sales Van when it’s in Westchester, fill out an application, and show photo ID confirming your date of birth. Call the Westchester SMART Commute Program at (914) 995-4444 to confirm the van’s schedule and location.

Does Bee-Line operate on Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Starting in 2025, Bee-Line began running limited service on both Thanksgiving and Christmas, a change from its previous policy of no service at all on those two days. Always check the current year’s holiday schedule PDF, since service levels can still vary by route.