Complete Bx13 Bus Guide (2026): Route Map, Schedule, Stops, And Yankee Stadium Transfers

Disambiguation Note: This comprehensive guide covers the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bx13 local bus route operating between Washington Heights in Manhattan and the Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market in the South Bronx.

The Bx13 bus route serves as a critical inter-borough arterial connector within the MTA New York City Transit network. Linking northern Manhattan across the Harlem River to the densely populated neighborhoods of Highbridge, Concourse, and South Bronx, the Bx13 provides vital daily transport for local residents, healthcare workers, students, and thousands of baseball fans heading to Yankee Stadium.

Following recent optimizations under the MTA Bronx Bus Network Redesign, the Bx13 in 2026 features streamlined stopping patterns, upgraded traffic signal priority (TSP) integration along major cross-borough corridors, and full integration with the OMNY contactless fare collection infrastructure. Understanding the route's operational nuances, transfer hubs, and peak frequency schedules is essential for navigating this transit corridor efficiently.

MTA Bx13 Route Overview: Key Corridors and Regional Destinations

The Bx13 operates primarily between the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal area in Washington Heights, Manhattan, and the Gateway Center shopping complex at Bronx Terminal Market in the Bronx. By crossing the Harlem River via the historic Washington Bridge (West 181st Street in Manhattan transitioning to University Avenue in the Bronx), the line bypasses heavily congested highway corridors to offer a direct, localized link between two major urban commercial hubs.

Key Transit Corridors Traversed: • West 181st Street & West 179th Street (Washington Heights, Manhattan) • Washington Bridge (Cross-Harlem River Link) • University Avenue & Ogden Avenue (Highbridge, Bronx) • West 168th Street & West 161st Street (Concourse / Highbridge) • River Avenue & Gateway Center Boulevard (South Bronx)

Strategic Landmarks and Transit Termini

1. Washington Heights Bus & Subway Hub (Manhattan Terminus): Connecting riders directly to the IND Eighth Avenue Line (A and C trains) and IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line (1 train), as well as regional interstate buses at the George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal.
2. Highbridge Residential Corridor: Traversing the elevated topography of Ogden Avenue, serving schools, local health clinics, and high-density housing developments along the western ridge of the Bronx.
3. Yankee Stadium & Heritage Field: Stopping directly adjacent to 161st Street–Yankee Stadium station complex, providing direct drop-off access for stadium events, the Bronx County Courthouse, and local municipal offices.
4. Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market (Bronx Terminus): Terminating at the major retail power center along River Avenue and West 149th Street, allowing quick transfers to the Metro-North Railroad at Yankees–E. 153rd St. Station.

Bx13 Schedule Breakdown and Service Frequency in 2026

The Bx13 runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, though service frequency varies significantly based on time of day, day of the week, and local event schedules at Yankee Stadium. MTA New York City Transit adjusts headways dynamically to accommodate high-volume game-day surges while maintaining steady local service for Highbridge commuters.

Special Operational Adjustments During Yankee Stadium Events

During home games or major events at Yankee Stadium, traffic congestion along West 161st Street, River Avenue, and the Major Deegan Expressway (I-87) ramps routinely slows surface transit. MTA Dispatch deploys supplemental street supervisors and may temporarily re-route buses or short-turn select Bx13 trips at West 161st Street and Grand Concourse to maintain headways along the Highbridge segment of the line.

Detailed Stop Sequence and Intermodal Subway Connections

The Bx13 is structured to maximize intermodal transfer efficiency. Commuters can pivot seamlessly from the bus to multiple subway trunks, regional commuter rail, and connecting Bronx/Manhattan bus lines.

Southbound: To Gateway Center / River Ave (Bronx)

Manhattan Origin to Highbridge SegmentStarts at West 179th Street and Broadway in Manhattan, making key stops along West 181st Street before crossing the Washington Bridge into the Bronx. The bus turns south onto University Avenue, proceeding along Edward L. Grant Highway and Ogden Avenue through Highbridge.

Highbridge to Gateway Center SegmentNavigates down Ogden Avenue, turning east on West 168th Street, then south along Jerome Avenue and East 161st Street. It proceeds down River Avenue, finishing at Gateway Center Boulevard directly outside the Bronx Terminal Market retail facility.

Northbound: To Washington Heights / W 179 St (Manhattan)

Gateway Center to Highbridge SegmentDeparts Gateway Center, travelling north along River Avenue, serving Yankee Stadium and the 161st Street corridor before climbing West 168th Street back onto Ogden Avenue.

Highbridge to Manhattan TerminusContinues north on Ogden Avenue, transitioning to University Avenue, crossing the Washington Bridge into Manhattan along West 181st Street, and terminating on West 179th Street near Broadway.

Direct Transfer Destinations and Subway Lines

• 181st Street / Broadway (Manhattan): Transfer to the 1 Train (IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line).
• 181st Street / Fort Washington Avenue (Manhattan): Transfer to the A Train (IND Eighth Avenue Line express).
• 161st Street – Yankee Stadium (Bronx): Transfer to the 4 Train (IRT Jerome Avenue Line) and the B / D Trains (IND Concourse Line).
• Yankees–E. 153rd Street Station (Bronx): Transfer to the Metro-North Railroad (Hudson Line direct service to Grand Central Terminal or Poughkeepsie).
• Connecting Bus Lines: Intersecting transfers include the Bx1, Bx2, Bx6, Bx6-SBS, Bx11, Bx35, M3, M4, and M100.

Modern Transit Technology: OMNY and Live Tracking Integration

Navigating the Bx13 in 2026 relies entirely on modern MTA digital standards. Traditional MetroCard readers have reached full retirement phases across the network, making contactless technology the primary method of boarding validation.

Fare Payment and Validation Matrix: 1. Tap-to-Pay Device -> Contactless Credit/Debit Card or Smartphone (Apple Pay, Google Wallet). 2. OMNY Card -> Reloadable physical transit card available at local retail networks and station vending units. 3. Fare Cap Enforcement -> Automatic weekly fare capping after 12 paid trips within a rolling 7-day period. 4. Reduced Fare -> Seniors and eligible riders tap registered reduced-fare OMNY cards for half-price transit.

Real-Time Bus Tracking via MTA Bus Time

Riders should utilize the official MTA mobile app or the MTA Bus Time text system to check real-time bus locations and arrival estimates. Every Bx13 bus is equipped with automated vehicle location (AVL) GPS hardware, transmitting location data every few seconds.

To track a Bx13 bus on demand:

• Open the MTA App or visit bustime.mta.info.
• Search for Bx13 or enter the specific 6-digit bus stop code found on the blue MTA bus stop pole.
• Track the exact vehicle number, current street location, and estimated arrival time adjusted for live traffic conditions.

Comparative Analysis: Bx13 vs. Alternative Transit Corridors

When traveling between Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx, riders often weigh the Bx13 against parallel bus routes like the Bx6, Bx6-SBS, or Bx35, as well as subway routes requiring a transfer in Manhattan.

Commuter Recommendations and Practical Guidelines

Operating a surface bus route through some of the Bronx's steepest terrain and densest traffic corridors introduces practical challenges. Observing key strategic commuting habits ensures a smoother trip.

Navigating Peak Traffic Bottlenecks

1. The Washington Bridge Bottleneck: Eastbound traffic entering the Bronx during the evening commute (4:00 PM – 6:30 PM) often backs up onto West 181st Street in Manhattan. Allow an extra 10–15 minutes for cross-river transit during these hours.
2. Ogden Avenue Double-Parking: Ogden Avenue is a narrow two-lane corridor running along the Highbridge ridge. Double-parked delivery vehicles routinely require bus operators to negotiate tight clearances. Riders should monitor live vehicle tracking to identify temporary delays.
3. Yankee Stadium Event Exit Strategies: Immediately following a stadium event, West 161st Street experience heavy pedestrian congestion. Boarding the Bx13 northbound at West 168th Street or southbound at Gateway Center directly will often save time over waiting at the 161st St / River Ave stop.

Accessibility and Boarding Regulations

All Bx13 buses in service in 2026 are 100% low-floor, accessible vehicles equipped with mechanical boarding ramps at the front door and dedicated wheelchair securement bays inside.

• Ramp Requests: Inform the operator upon arrival if you require the ramp to be deployed or the bus to be kneeled.
• Stroller Policy: Open strollers are permitted on MTA buses but must be parked in designated open space areas without blocking aisle walkways or emergency exits.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Bx13 Bus Route

Does the Bx13 run 24 hours a day?

Yes, the Bx13 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week between Washington Heights and the South Bronx. Late-night service runs approximately every 20 to 30 minutes.

What is the fare for the Bx13 bus, and how do I pay?

The standard MTA local bus fare applies to the Bx13, payable using any OMNY contactless method (smartphone wallet, contactless credit/debit card, or physical OMNY card). Exact change in coins is also accepted at the front coin box, but MetroCard usage has been phased out.

Where does the Bx13 stop near Yankee Stadium?

Southbound and northbound Bx13 buses stop along East 161st Street and River Avenue, placing passengers directly adjacent to Yankee Stadium entrance gates and the 161st Street–Yankee Stadium subway complex.

How does the Bx13 connect Manhattan and the Bronx?

The Bx13 crosses the Harlem River using the Washington Bridge, seamlessly bridging West 181st Street in Washington Heights, Manhattan, with University Avenue and Ogden Avenue in the Highbridge section of the Bronx.

Can I transfer from the Bx13 to the Metro-North Railroad?

Yes, the Bx13 terminates near the Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market, which is within short walking distance of the Metro-North Railroad's Yankees–E. 153rd Street Station on the Hudson Line.

Navigating the Bx13 Corridor Efficiently

Whether commuting daily from Highbridge into Manhattan, shopping at the Gateway Center, or attending an event at Yankee Stadium, the Bx13 remains an indispensable component of South Bronx surface transit. By leveraging real-time tracking platforms like MTA Bus Time and taking advantage of dynamic OMNY fare capping, riders can navigate this inter-borough link efficiently and cost-effectively. For real-time service advisories, planned detours, and updated holiday schedules, always verify conditions via official MTA communication channels before traveling.