B12 Bus Schedule: NYC MTA Route Map, Stops, Fare & Live Bus Time
The B12 bus schedule is for the NYC MTA Brooklyn local route between Lefferts Gardens / Ocean Avenue and East New York / Alabama Avenue via Clarkson Avenue, Empire Boulevard and East New York Avenue. This guide gives riders the official timetable links, live MTA Bus Time tracker, direction help, major stops, first-and-late trip planning, OMNY fare rules, holiday notes, hospital and subway-transfer tips, accessibility guidance and the fastest way to avoid wrong-stop mistakes before leaving home.
B12 Daily Check Board — Use This Before Walking to the Stop
bookmark toolStart here if you need the next B12 bus. The B12 looks simple on a map, but a rider can still lose time by choosing the wrong direction, using a timepoint instead of the exact stop, ignoring detours around East New York Avenue, or standing on the wrong side near major intersections.
Search B12
Use the exact route code B12. Do not confuse it with B14, B15, B17, B45 or a nearby subway transfer.
Pick direction
Choose to East New York Alabama Av or to Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av before reading any time.
Open official timetable
The MTA PDF shows key timepoints for weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday and school-day planning.
Open Bus Time
Use MTA Bus Time for your exact stop, live arrival, vehicle position and active service alert.
Check stop side
Eastbound and westbound stops can be on different sides of Parkside, Clarkson, Albany, Pitkin or East New York Av.
Pay correctly
Tap OMNY at the front door on local buses and use the same card or device for transfers.
Need the next B12 at your exact stop right now?
📍 Open B12 Bus TimeQuick Answer: What Is the B12 Bus Schedule?
The B12 is an MTA Brooklyn local bus route labeled Lefferts Gardens – East New York. It runs via Clarkson Avenue, Empire Boulevard and East New York Avenue. The official timetable is useful for planned timepoints, but the MTA tells riders to use Bus Time or the MTA app for the stop nearest them and estimated arrivals.
To East New York
Use this direction when traveling toward Alabama Av / Fulton St, Broadway Junction-area connections or eastern Brooklyn stops.
To Lefferts Gardens
Use this direction when traveling toward Parkside Av / Ocean Av, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and Prospect Park-side stops.
Hospital corridor
B12 serves Clarkson Avenue near Kings County Hospital, SUNY Downstate-area trips and healthcare-related travel.
Subway transfers
Useful transfer areas include Ocean / Parkside, Flatbush, Nostrand, Rockaway and Alabama / Fulton.
Local fare
The B12 is local bus service. MTA local bus fare applies, with OMNY tap at the front door.
Alert-sensitive route
Construction and street events around East New York Avenue, Pitkin Avenue and Rockaway Avenue can affect live arrivals.
Best B12 workflow: open the official MTA B12 timetable, pick East New York-bound or Lefferts Gardens-bound direction, check your exact stop in Bus Time, confirm OMNY or exact cash, read alerts, then walk to the stop with enough buffer for local traffic.
Official B12 MTA Tools for Schedule, Map, Stops, Fare and Live Times
Use these links for final verification. This guide explains the route in plain English, but MTA controls exact schedules, live arrivals, fare rules, accessibility details, detours and stop changes.
B12 Route Overview: Lefferts Gardens to East New York
The B12 connects Prospect-Lefferts Gardens, Clarkson Avenue, Kings County Hospital-area stops, Albany Avenue, Empire Boulevard, East New York Avenue, Pitkin Avenue, Rockaway Avenue and Alabama Avenue / Fulton Street. It is a local Brooklyn route, so exact stop choice matters more than just knowing the street corridor.
Lefferts Gardens end
The west terminal timepoint is Parkside Av / Ocean Av, useful for Prospect Park, Ocean Avenue and nearby subway/bus connections.
Clarkson Avenue core
Important stops include Clarkson / Bedford, Rogers, Nostrand, New York Av, Kings County Hospital and E 38 / E 39 St.
East New York end
The east terminal timepoint is Fulton St / Alabama Av, with nearby Broadway Junction / Alabama Avenue transfer context.
⚠️ Timepoint warning
The official timetable shows key stops known as timepoints. Your exact stop may be between timepoints, so use MTA Bus Time before deciding when to leave.
B12 Schedule Summary: Weekday, Saturday, Sunday and Late-Night Planning
The B12 timetable has separate weekday, Saturday and Sunday tables. The route shows late-night and overnight trips, but the exact spacing changes by time of day. Use this table as a planning shortcut only; the official PDF and Bus Time should control the final answer.
| Service day | Direction | Terminal timepoint | Approx. first / last shown | Rider warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | To East New York Alabama Av | Parkside Av / Ocean Av | About 12:10 AM to 11:50 PM | Monday-only and not-Monday notes can affect early overnight trips. |
| Weekday | To Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av | Alabama Av / Fulton St | About 12:15 AM to 11:50 PM | Use Bus Time for your exact stop near Pitkin, Empire, Albany or Clarkson. |
| Saturday | To East New York Alabama Av | Parkside Av / Ocean Av | About 12:10 AM to 11:50 PM | Weekend spacing differs from weekday commute patterns. |
| Saturday | To Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av | Alabama Av / Fulton St | About 12:15 AM to 11:55 PM | Late-night trips are shown, but always verify with live arrivals. |
| Sunday | To East New York Alabama Av | Parkside Av / Ocean Av | About 12:05 AM to 11:56 PM | Use Sunday table, not Saturday memory. |
| Sunday | To Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av | Alabama Av / Fulton St | About 12:20 AM to 11:45 PM | Holiday schedules may use Sunday or Saturday patterns. |
💡 Simple rider rule
Use the PDF to understand the full planned service pattern. Use Bus Time when you are deciding whether to walk to the stop now.
B12 Stops and Route Map: Parkside, Clarkson, Albany, Empire, Pitkin and Alabama
The B12 has many local stops, and the route uses different street segments by direction. The stop sign, side of street and destination sign matter, especially around Rockaway Avenue, Pitkin Avenue, Empire Boulevard and Alabama Avenue.
Major stops to East New York
Parkside Av / Ocean Av, Parkside / Flatbush, Clarkson / Bedford, Rogers, Nostrand, New York Av, Kings County Hospital, Albany / Winthrop, Empire / Utica, East New York Av / Union, Pitkin / Saratoga, Rockaway, Sackman, Junius and Fulton / Alabama.
Major stops to Lefferts Gardens
Alabama Av / Fulton St, Pacific / Sackman, Rockaway / Prospect Pl, Pitkin / Rockaway, Bristol, Amboy, Strauss, East New York Av / Ralph, Portal, E 96 St, Empire / Utica, Albany / Winthrop, Clarkson / Nostrand, Bedford, Flatbush and Parkside / Ocean.
Exact stop matters
Use the stop name or stop code in Bus Time. “East New York Av” or “Clarkson Av” alone is not enough because there are multiple intersections.
Stop-side checklist
- Route sign: confirm the stop sign lists B12.
- Direction: check whether the bus is going to East New York Alabama Av or Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av.
- Stop code: use the posted stop code in Bus Time where possible.
- Hospital trips: confirm the correct Clarkson Avenue stop before walking to Kings County Hospital or SUNY Downstate-area destinations.
- Subway transfers: add walking buffer around Parkside/Ocean, Nostrand, Rockaway, Broadway Junction and Alabama/Fulton.
⚠️ Map warning
This embedded map is for discovery only. Use the official MTA route page, Bus Time and current alerts for final boarding.
B12 Live Tracker: How to Use MTA Bus Time Correctly
MTA Bus Time is the fastest way to check live B12 arrivals. The official timetable gives the planned pattern, while Bus Time shows the exact stop, direction, estimated arrival and active route alerts.
Search B12
Open Bus Time and search B12, not only “Brooklyn bus” or a nearby street name.
Choose direction
Select to East New York Alabama Av or to Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av before picking a stop.
Select exact stop
Use the stop name, nearby map or posted stop code. This avoids the wrong-side-of-street mistake.
Read alerts
If arrivals look strange, check detours, construction, street events, weather and service status.
Ready to check live arrivals at your B12 stop?
⏱️ Open B12 Bus TimeB12 Fare and OMNY: Local Bus Fare, Transfers, Cash and Kids
B12 uses MTA local bus fare rules. Most riders can tap a contactless card, phone, wearable device or OMNY Card at the front door. Use the same payment method on connected rides so your transfer is recognized.
| Fare topic | What B12 riders should know | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare | MTA lists local, limited, rush and SBS bus fare at $3 for most riders. | Confusing B12 local bus fare with express bus fare. |
| OMNY | Tap at the front door with a contactless card, smartphone, wearable or OMNY Card. | Switching cards or devices and losing transfer tracking. |
| Transfer | Use the same card or device for free transfer recognition within the allowed transfer window. | Paying with one card on the bus and another at the subway. |
| Cash | Exact change is accepted on local buses while MTA still permits bus cash payment. | Using bills, expecting change or forgetting to ask for a paper transfer if paying cash. |
| Children | Up to three children under 44 inches can ride free with a fare-paying adult. | Not checking child height rules before family trips. |
⚠️ Same-card transfer rule
Use the same card, phone, wearable or OMNY Card for every leg of the trip. Switching payment methods can create an extra charge.
B12 Holiday and School-Day Notes
The official B12 timetable includes reference notes for Monday-only, not-Monday and school-day trips. It also lists holiday schedule rules. This matters for early overnight trips, school-day trips and reduced weekday service periods.
- xMon: the trip does not run on Mondays.
- Mon: the trip only runs on Mondays.
- SD: the trip runs only when schools are in session.
- When schools are closed: trips marked SD do not operate.
- Major holidays: several major holidays use Sunday schedule.
- Independence Day and Presidents Day: the timetable lists Saturday schedule.
- Reduced weekday holidays: always check the MTA app or Service Status before traveling.
💡 Appointment rule
For hospital visits, work shifts, school trips, court appointments or subway transfers, take one earlier B12 when possible. Local traffic and detours can change the real arrival.
B12 Connections: Subway, Hospitals, Schools and Nearby Brooklyn Routes
The B12 is valuable because it crosses several everyday Brooklyn trip types: healthcare trips, subway connections, school travel, neighborhood shopping and east-west movement between Lefferts Gardens and East New York.
Subway connection logic
Useful transfer areas include Parkside / Ocean, Flatbush, Nostrand, Rockaway and Alabama / Fulton. Always check walking distance before leaving.
Kings County Hospital area
Use the Clarkson Avenue / Kings County Hospital stop area, but verify direction and stop side in Bus Time.
Nearby East New York routes
B15, B14, B17, B25, B45 and other Brooklyn routes may appear nearby. Route code and direction matter.
⚠️ Wrong-route trap
East New York and hospital-area riders often see multiple buses close together. Do not board only because the bus is heading the right way. Confirm the destination sign says B12 and matches your direction.
Accessibility and First-Time Rider Help for B12
For seniors, wheelchair users, riders with mobility devices, caregivers, students and first-time riders, the safest habit is to confirm route, direction, exact stop and fare before leaving home. At the stop, stand where the operator can see you and check the destination sign before boarding.
- Before leaving: use the route page and Bus Time together.
- At the stop: wait near the bus stop sign and be visible to the operator.
- Mobility needs: ask for ramp, lift or kneeling help when needed.
- Vision support: ask the operator to call your stop if you need help.
- Caregiver tip: share route number, direction, exact stop name and stop code, not just “East New York Av.”
- Late-night tip: Request-A-Stop may be available on local bus routes from 10 PM to 5 AM when the operator can stop safely.
Need official MTA bus accessibility help?
♿ Open Bus AccessibilityCommon B12 Schedule Mistakes That Waste Time
Using only the PDF
The PDF shows timepoints. Bus Time shows your exact stop-level arrival.
Wrong direction
East New York-bound and Lefferts Gardens-bound stops can be on different sides of the street.
Ignoring alerts
Construction and street events can change the route or make arrivals less accurate.
Street-name guessing
There are multiple B12 stops along Clarkson, Albany, Empire, East New York and Pitkin. Use the stop code.
Payment mismatch
Using different payment devices can break transfer tracking.
Ignoring Mon/xMon/SD notes
Some trips have special notes. Check the reference notes before relying on overnight or school-day trips.
Related BusSchedules.org Guides for MTA Brooklyn Riders
These related guides help B12 riders continue planning with official MTA tools, nearby Brooklyn routes, SBS comparison pages and airport/subway transfer workflows.
B12 Bus Schedule FAQs
What is the B12 bus route?
The B12 is an NYC MTA Brooklyn local bus route between Lefferts Gardens and East New York via Clarkson Avenue, Empire Boulevard and East New York Avenue.
Where can I find the official B12 bus schedule?
Use the official MTA B12 timetable. It includes weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, reference notes, fare information and route timepoints.
How do I track the B12 bus live?
Open MTA Bus Time and search B12. Choose the direction to East New York Alabama Av or to Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av, then select your exact stop.
Does the B12 go to East New York?
Yes. The eastbound destination is East New York Alabama Av, with the terminal timepoint around Fulton St / Alabama Av.
Does the B12 go to Lefferts Gardens?
Yes. The westbound destination is Lefferts Gardens Ocean Av, with the terminal timepoint around Parkside Av / Ocean Av.
What are the main B12 timepoints?
Major timepoints include Parkside Av / Ocean Av, Clarkson Av / Nostrand Av, Albany Av / Winthrop St, Empire Blvd / Utica Av, East New York Av / Union St, Fulton St / Alabama Av, Alabama Av / Fulton St and Pitkin Av / Strauss St.
How much is the B12 bus fare?
MTA lists the fare for local, limited, rush and Select Bus Service buses at $3 for most riders. Reduced-fare riders should check current MTA reduced-fare rules.
Can I use OMNY on the B12?
Yes. Tap a contactless card, phone, wearable device or OMNY Card at the front door. Use the same card or device for transfers.
Does the B12 run on weekends?
Yes. The official B12 timetable includes Saturday and Sunday service tables. Weekend spacing and trip times differ from weekday service.
What does SD mean in the B12 timetable?
SD means the trip runs only when schools are in session. When schools are closed, trips marked SD do not operate.
Why is my B12 bus not showing in Bus Time?
The trip may not have started, the wrong stop or direction may be selected, live data may be temporarily unavailable, or an alert/detour may affect arrival information.
Is BusSchedules.org the official MTA website?
No. BusSchedules.org is an independent rider guide. Always verify final schedules, stop changes, fares, accessibility details and alerts directly with MTA.
Final Rider Summary: Best Way to Use the B12 Bus Schedule
The best way to use the B12 bus schedule is to open the official MTA B12 timetable, choose the correct direction, confirm the exact stop, and then use MTA Bus Time for live arrivals. The route connects Lefferts Gardens and East New York via Clarkson Avenue, Empire Boulevard and East New York Avenue.
Remember the big three: the PDF shows timepoints, Bus Time shows stop-level arrivals, and the stop sign/destination sign decides whether you are boarding the correct B12. For hospital trips, subway transfers, school travel, work shifts and late-night rides, check live arrivals and alerts before leaving.
Official B12 timetable · MTA Bus Time B12 · MTA fare guide · MTA app