How To Ride B.C. Transit Buses
Never ridden a bus? New to the area? Wondering how to read the bus schedule? Riding B.C. Transit is easy. We have 19 routes covering much of the urban core (Binghamton, Johnson City, Endicott, Endwell, and Vestal). Our system is fast, easy, and WE GO WHERE YOU GO!
How the B.C. Transit Bus System Works:
B.C. Transit uses what is known in the transit industry as a pulse system, and the B.C. Junction is the heart of the system. Located on Hawley Street by the Binghamton Government Plaza, the B.C. Junction is the main transfer point where at 15 minutes and 45 minutes past the hour, up to 13 of our buses meet allowing passengers to transfer for free to other buses, making much of the urban core easily accessible. A transfer card may be necessary if you need another bus to complete your trip (see more below). After a five-minute layover, buses depart and go outbound to begin their route. Our buses operate on a fixed route system, meaning that there is a set or fixed path that our buses follow.
What's Outbound and Inbound?
For most of our routes, OUTBOUND buses are leaving the B.C. Junction, and INBOUND are returning to the B.C. Junction. The exceptions are the 17, 25, and 47, which are outbound when departing Binghamton University; and, the Endwell Shuttle and West Corners Shuttle which are outbound when departing Washington Ave in Endicott. The ARC and Shoppers' Special bus do not follow an inbound/outbound schedule. Each of these buses basically do a big loop.
How do I know what bus to take?
- Find out where you want to go and what time you want to get there. For your convenience, you can use our Transit Route Locator, or Passenger Guide. Find out which bus routes serve your destination point and starting point. Go get all the schedules you need for the trip. Schedules are found online or at several area locations.
- Look at the schedule serving your destination first, and find the time point on that schedule nearest your destination. Time-points are landmarks or intersections that show estimated arrival times of the bus. Each schedule shows a map of the route, and time points. In most cases, you can get on and off the bus at bus stops between these time-points.
- Look at the schedule serving your starting point second, and find the time point on that schedule nearest your starting point. For your convenience, bus schedules and a list of bus stops are online. Work backward from your destination time-point to your starting time-point to figure out when you need to catch the bus. B.C. Transit recommends that you arrive at the bus stop about five minutes before the scheduled time. If you still have questions you may ask one of our friendly bus drivers or call our information line at 607.778.1692.
How do I read the bus schedules?
On most schedules, you will see we have weekday, Saturday and Sunday service. We have outbound and inbound sections, and time-points which are intersections or landmarks. Time-points are references showing you times the bus is scheduled to arrive at these places. When reading schedules, begin with the time and place you want to arrive at your destination. Follow the schedule back to the starting point, and you will know what time to get on the bus.
Here is an example of a person who wants to arrive at Broome Community College by 8:30 a.m. and wants to catch the bus near his/her home at Carlisle Apartments in Binghamton. The 8 Front Street bus serves Broome Community College (BCC) and the 28 Robinson St serves the Carlisle Apartments. Beginning with the 8 Front Street schedule, we see that the outbound 8 arrives at BCC at 8:03 a.m. Following the schedule from right to left, we see that the bus departs the B.C. Junction at 7:50 a.m. Looking at the 28 Robinson Street schedule, we see that if we take an inbound bus we can get to the B.C. Junction at 7:45 a.m. Following the schedule from right to left we see that the bus leaves the intersection of Broad and Bevier at 7:33 a.m. Because of time variability we should plan to be at the bus stop at the corner of Moeller St and Hill St at 7:28 a.m.
What do I do when I am at the bus stop?
In most cases to catch a bus, you will need to be at a bus stop. B.C. Transit has approximately 945 bus stops around the community. Some routes have flag stops, which means no bus stops exist, but the bus driver will stop if he/she determines that passengers can safely board and/or exit the bus. Routes including flag stops are the 47, West Corners Shuttle, Corporate Park, M/K Commuter, and Shoppers' Special along Susquehanna Street. If you have questions ask the driver.
To help you better use our system, please follow these tips:
- Arrive at the bus stop approximately 5 minutes before the scheduled time.
- As the bus approaches signal to the driver your intent to ride.
- Check the sign above the bus windshield to ensure you have the correct route name and number. Make sure you have ready your exact fares, tokens or current month's bus pass.
Help us help others. . . If you find that a bus stop sign is missing from a designated location, please contact us at 607.763.4464.
How do I get off the bus?
When you wish to get off the bus, pull the yellow cord located above the windows. The driver will stop the bus at the next bus stop. Some routes may have flag stops, which means no bus stops exist, but the bus driver will stop if he/she determines that passengers can safely board and exit the bus. Routes including flag stops are the 47, Corporate Park, M/K Commuter, and Shoppers' Special along Susquehanna Street. If you have questions ask the driver.
Where's my bus at the B.C. Junction?
The drawing below shows where you can find your bus at the B.C. Junction. Certain buses are interlined with each other, which means that these buses will change their signs to become different bus routes. Sometimes you may not need to get off the bus to catch another. The key below shows which buses are interlined with each other.
Will I have to transfer?
Sometimes in order to reach your destination, you will need to get off the bus you are on and get on another bus. If you are using cash or ride cards and need to get on another bus to complete your trip, please ask your bus driver for a transfer card. A transfer card will allow you to get off the bus and board another at certain locations in the area for free. If you are using a bus pass, you do not need a transfer card. Typically, you will transfer at the B.C. Junction; however, review each of your bus schedules to see other locations where you can transfer to another bus. Remember, transfers are only good for one hour if you go directly from one bus to another.
There may be times when you will need to transfer more than once. For example, a student at B.C.C. may have to go to the Vestal Public Library. To complete the trip, the student could board the 8 Front St bus, and pay one fare. The student will ask for a transfer card and then go to the B.C. Junction to catch the 15 Leroy St. Upon boarding the 15 Leroy St, the student gives the transfer card to the driver and asks for another. The 15 Leroy bus will go to Binghamton University where the student will board 47 Vestal-Endicott and give the driver the transfer card to complete his/her trip.
Helpful tip: If you are using a bus pass you do not need a transfer card.
Bus Route Changes at the B.C. Junction (unless noted)
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