It's time to pack your backpacks and sharpen your pencils: The first day of school for New York City kids is September 8, and other schools may be back in session before then.
Students, we're here to help you get to where you're going: Learn about extra service, how to get a student MetroCard, and other tips and tricks to make your ride to school a breeze.
Travel tips
- Masks are now optional for customers on our subways, buses, and commuter rail. We encourage riders to continue to wear masks throughout our public transit system. Please respect other riders' choices.
- Download our apps before you travel. They'll give you up-to-the-minute information on subway, bus, and commuter rail arrivals, and you can save trips for the routes you take most often.
- Be sure to follow our rules of conduct. Always pay your fare, don’t ride between subway cars, and be mindful of other people on your subway or bus.
- Need help? You can ask a subway booth attendant, an MTA employee in an orange vest, or a LIRR or Metro-North station ambassador. Or use one of the Help Point intercoms in subway or commuter rail stations, which can connect you to someone who can help you.
About Student MetroCards
Student MetroCards are good for three free rides each school day between 5:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Four-ride passes are available for students who have more than one transfer on their journey to school.
The NYC Department of Education issues student MetroCards, and to get one, you should request one from your school. Passes are good for one semester. Learn more about getting a student MetroCard.
Be sure to always swipe to get on the subway or bus. When you swipe in, you're letting us know that your subway stop or bus route needs service. It's like voting — and your vote counts. You shouldn't let other people use your student MetroCard, or you risk losing the card.
If you live in a low-income household, others in your family may be eligible for a half-priced MetroCard through the city's Fair Fares program. Learn more about Fair Fares.
Additional bus service
MTA Bus Company and New York City Transit will run extra buses to and from schools in all five boroughs beginning September 8, 2022, to accommodate students. These buses will run on weekdays during the school year.
Service is being added to the following lines:
The Bronx: Bx2, Bx3, Bx8, Bx9, Bx10, Bx11, Bx16, Bx17, Bx20, Bx21, Bx23, Bx26, Bx28, Bx30, Bx31, Bx36, Bx41
Brooklyn: B4, B10, B11, b12, B16, B20, B31, B36, B41, B44, B44-SBS, B46-SBS, B47, B49, B54, B60, B63, B64, B67/69, B74, B100, B103,
Manhattan: M9, M21, M22
Queens: Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q7, Q8, Q15, Q17, Q20, Q21, Q22, Q11, Q23, Q27, Q28, Q30, Q31, Q36, Q37, Q41, Q43, Q44-SBS, Q46, Q50, Q54, Q55, Q58, Q66, Q76, Q77, Q83, Q85, Q88, Q111
Staten Island: S42/52, S44/94, S46/96, S48/98, S51/81, S53, S54, S55, S56, S57, S59, S61/91, S62/92, S66, S74/84, S76/86, S78, S79-SBS
Bronx bus route changes
As part of the Bronx Local Bus Network Redesign, some bus routes in the Bronx have changed. In the first week of the school year, we will have ambassadors at key stops throughout the borough to help students navigate the new stops and routes. See if your Bronx bus route has changed.
Look for MTA employees in orange vests near key stops on September 8, 9, 12, and 13. They will be out from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Bx11 at Boston Road and Louis Nine Boulevard
- Bx11 and Bx18 at E 170 Street and Jerome Avenue
- Bx15 and M125 at 3 Avenue and E 150 Street
- Bx18 and Bx11 at W 170 Street and Jerome Avenue
- Bx29 and Q50 at Bruckner Boulevard and Wilkinson Avenue
- Bx30 at E Gun Hill Road and White Plains Road
- Bx30 at Boston Road and Gun Hill Road
- Bx36 at E Tremont Avenue and E 177 Street
- Bx36 at Webster Avenue and E Tremont Avenue
- Bx36 at E Tremont Avenue and Boston Rd
- Bx36 at Webster Avenue and E 180 Street
- Bx36 at White Plains Rd and Westchester Avenue
- Bx4 and M125 at Bergen Avenue and E 149 Street
- Bx40/42 at E Burnside Avenue and Grand Concourse
- Bx40/42 at E Tremont Avenue and Unionport Road
- Bx40/42 at E Tremont Avenue and Webster Avenue
- Bx4A at W Farms Rd and Westchester Avenue
- Bx4A, Bx11, and Bx35 at W Farms Road and Westchester Avenue