MTA Q24 Bus Route Map 2026: Schedule, Stops, And Atlantic Avenue Transit Guide

This authoritative guide covers the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Q24 bus route operating in Brooklyn and Queens, New York City. It is not affiliated with other international or regional transit routes sharing the same alphanumeric designation.

The MTA Q24 bus serves as a critical interborough transit pipeline, linking the bustling neighborhoods of central Brooklyn with the major commercial and transit hubs of downtown Jamaica, Queens. Running primarily along the expansive Atlantic Avenue corridor, this route provides an essential surface transit alternative to the subway system, connecting communities that sit between major rapid transit lines.

As of 2026, the Q24 has benefited from targeted transit improvements, including expanded Transit Signal Priority (TSP) at major intersections and targeted camera-enforced bus lanes along high-congestion segments of Atlantic Avenue. Whether you are a daily commuter transferring to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or a visitor navigating the outer boroughs, this comprehensive technical guide provides up-to-date mapping, stop-by-stop data, scheduling realities, and strategic transfer options for 2026.

Complete Overview of the Q24 Bus Route Corridor

The Q24 is operated by MTA New York City Transit’s Queens Transit Division, though it straddles the Brooklyn-Queens border throughout its daily run. The route covers approximately 8.4 miles in each direction, bridging Bushwick and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn with Jamaica in Queens.

[Bushwick Terminus: Lafayette & Patchen] │ ▼ [Broadway Junction] ◄─── (Major Subway/LIRR Interchange) │ ▼ [Atlantic Avenue] ◄──── (Core East-West Corridor) │ ▼ [Sutphin Blvd / Archer Ave] ◄── (JFK AirTrain & LIRR Hub) │ ▼ [Jamaica Terminus: 168th St & Hillside]

Starting at its western terminal at Lafayette Avenue and Patchen Avenue in Bushwick, the bus moves southeast toward Broadway Junction—one of New York City’s most complex multi-modal transit labyrinths. From Broadway Junction, the Q24 descends onto Atlantic Avenue, running almost due east. It traverses East New York and Cypress Hills before crossing the borough line into Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, and finally Jamaica, Queens. At its eastern end, the route loops through the dense downtown Jamaica core, terminating at 168th Street and Hillside Avenue.

By operating parallel to both the LIRR Atlantic Branch and the BMT Jamaica Line (J/Z subway trains), the Q24 plays a dual role: it acts as a localized feeder to these rapid transit lines and serves as a vital neighborhood-to-neighborhood connector for areas where subway stations are spaced far apart.

Detailed Q24 Bus Route Map and Stop List

The table below outlines the core transit stops along the Q24 route in both directions. The stops listed highlight key transfer points, major intersections, and regional landmarks. This data reflects the active 2026 MTA service pattern, incorporating updated physical accessibility features and consolidated stop patterns designed to improve route velocity.

2026 Q24 Bus Schedule & Frequency Analysis

The Q24 operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it a critical "night owl" transit asset for late-shift workers at JFK Airport, local hospitals, and regional commercial distribution centers. However, service frequency varies based on the time of day and the day of the week.

Under the 2026 operational guidelines, the MTA utilizes headway-based scheduling during peak hours to combat bus bunching caused by heavy traffic on Atlantic Avenue.

Weekday Service Profile

• AM Rush Hour (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Buses run every 8 to 12 minutes. High-density demand is concentrated eastbound toward Jamaica Center and westbound toward Broadway Junction.
• Midday Service (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM): Frequencies scale to a consistent 12 to 15 minutes.
• PM Rush Hour (4:00 PM – 7:00 PM): Buses operate every 9 to 11 minutes. Congestion on Atlantic Avenue near the Van Wyck Expressway can introduce slight variability.
• Evening Service (7:00 PM – Midnight): Frequencies gradually widen from 15 minutes down to 20 minutes as demand tapers.
• Late Night / Owl Service (Midnight – 5:00 AM): Buses run every 30 minutes on a fixed-time schedule.

Weekend Service Profile

• Saturdays: Service operates on a steady 15-minute headway from late morning through early evening, and a 20-to-30-minute headway during early mornings and late nights.
• Sundays: Frequencies generally hover between 15 and 20 minutes during daytime hours, dropping to 30-minute intervals overnight.

Strategic Subway and LIRR Connections along the Q24

One of the greatest strengths of the Q24 route is its integration with regional rail networks. Savvy commuters utilize the Q24 to bypass subway bottlenecks or access regional rail points without traveling into Manhattan.

Key Transit Interchange: Broadway Junction

Broadway Junction serves as the western multi-modal anchor for the Q24. Commuters boarding the Q24 here can transition to five subway lines (A, C, J, Z, L) or walk to the nearby LIRR East New York station on Atlantic Avenue. This interchange allows riders from Central Brooklyn to bypass the high-traffic lines of downtown Brooklyn when traveling to Queens or Long Island.

Key Transit Interchange: Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport

On its eastern approach to Jamaica, the Q24 stops at this massive transit hub. From here, passengers can directly access:

• LIRR Jamaica Station: The primary hub for almost all Long Island Rail Road branches.
• AirTrain JFK: Direct, high-speed rail connection to John F. Kennedy International Airport terminals.
• Subway System: Quick transfers to the E, J, and Z lines for rapid transit into Midtown Manhattan or Lower Brooklyn.

Passengers paying with OMNY (the MTA’s contactless fare system) or a standard MetroCard receive a free transfer within two hours of their initial tap. This includes transfers from the Q24 to any connecting subway line, or to intersecting bus routes such as the high-speed Woodhaven Boulevard Select Bus Service (Q52/Q53 SBS) or the JFK-bound Q10.

Pros and Cons of Commuting via the Q24 Route

Evaluating the strengths and operational challenges of the Q24 is essential for riders deciding between surface transit and rapid transit.

Pros

• Unmatched Corridor Coverage: Directly serves the entire industrial and residential stretch of Atlantic Avenue between East New York and Jamaica, an area lacking direct, continuous subway service.
• 24/7 Operations: Critical round-the-clock availability for shift workers, airport staff, and emergency services personnel.
• Low-Stress Transfers: Provides direct sidewalk-to-terminal transfers at major hubs (Broadway Junction and Jamaica Center), eliminating the need to navigate multi-level subterranean subway complexes for short local trips.
• Modernized Bus Fleet: Fully equipped with low-floor ADA ramps, digital real-time stop announcers, USB charging ports, and OMNY contactless readers at all doors.

Cons

• Atlantic Avenue Congestion: Atlantic Avenue is a major truck route. Despite 2026 municipal bus lane enforcement, illegal double parking and heavy commercial vehicle traffic can cause delays during peak rush hours.
• No Select Bus Service (SBS) Status: Unlike neighboring north-south routes, the Q24 does not feature off-board fare payment or all-door boarding at every stop, which can slow down boarding times during high-volume periods.
• Route Length Vulnerability: Because the route runs through multiple highly congested neighborhoods, delays at the eastern end (Jamaica) can cascade and impact westbound arrival times in Brooklyn.

Step-by-Step Guide to Navigating the Q24 Bus in 2026

Navigating the outer-borough bus network can be intimidating for new riders. Follow these actionable steps to ensure a seamless commute.

Step 1: Check Live Bus Times Before Departing

Do not rely solely on printed schedules. Use the official MTA Bus Time website or the MYmta app. Enter "Q24" or your specific stop ID to view real-time GPS tracking. In 2026, on-street digital arrival countdown clocks are also available at major transfer stops along Atlantic Avenue.

Step 2: Prepare Your Fare Payment

The MTA utilizes the OMNY contactless fare payment system. You can tap your smartphone, smartwatch, contactless debit/credit card, or a physical OMNY card at the reader inside the front door. Traditional MetroCards are still accepted.

• Standard Fare (2026): $2.90.
• Fare Capping: If you tap with the same device or card, your fares are automatically capped after 12 rides in a 7-day period, making all subsequent rides that week free.

Step 3: Boarding the Bus

Wait for the bus at the designated blue-and-yellow MTA bus stop sign. As the bus approaches, verify the destination sign on the front of the vehicle reads either "Bushwick Patchen Ave" (Westbound) or "Jamaica 168 St" (Eastbound). Step forward to signal the driver that you intend to board.

Step 4: Riding and Exiting

As the bus travels along Atlantic Avenue, automated voice announcements and LED screens will display upcoming stops. To request a stop, pull the yellow cord running along the windows or press one of the red "Stop" buttons located on the handrails. Exit through the rear doors to allow boarding passengers quick entry through the front.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the route of the MTA Q24 bus?

The MTA Q24 bus route connects Bushwick, Brooklyn, with Jamaica, Queens, operating primarily along the Atlantic Avenue corridor. It runs between Lafayette Avenue/Patchen Avenue in Brooklyn and 168th Street/Hillside Avenue in Queens.

Does the Q24 bus run 24 hours a day?

Yes, the Q24 bus operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Overnight service runs on a reduced frequency, typically with buses arriving every 30 minutes between midnight and 5:00 AM.

How do I track the Q24 bus in real-time?

You can track the Q24 in real-time using the MTA Bus Time portal (bustime.mta.info) or the MYmta mobile application. By entering "Q24" or the unique 6-digit stop number found on the bus stop pole, you can see exactly how many stops away the bus is.

What are the major subway transfers available on the Q24 route?

The Q24 offers direct transfers to several major subway stations, including Broadway Junction (A, C, J, Z, L), Woodhaven Boulevard (J, Z), Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue (E, J, Z), and 169th Street (F).

Has the Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign changed the Q24 route in 2026?

By 2026, the Q24 has been optimized with consolidated stops to improve overall speed and reliability along Atlantic Avenue. While its core route connecting Bushwick to Jamaica remains intact, several low-volume stops have been merged to minimize dwell times.

Strategic Commuter Tips

To make the most of your commute on the Q24, consider the following expert strategies:

• Avoid the Mid-Route Bottleneck: The intersection of Atlantic Avenue and the Van Wyck Expressway is historically prone to extreme congestion. If you are traveling from Brooklyn to downtown Jamaica during the PM rush hour, consider transferring to the J or Z train at Woodhaven Boulevard to bypass this bottleneck.
• Leverage the LIRR at East New York: If you need to reach Atlantic Terminal in Downtown Brooklyn quickly from the western portion of the Q24 route, transfer to the LIRR at the East New York station. The train journey from East New York to Atlantic Terminal takes under 10 minutes, saving you significant time compared to taking local buses or subways.
• Keep Track of Free Transfers: Remember that your free OMNY or MetroCard transfer applies to any standard subway line or intersecting bus route. This allows you to combine the Q24 with north-south bus lines like the B46, B83, or Q10 for a single $2.90 fare.

By understanding the layout, schedule, and connection points of the Q24 bus route, you can confidently navigate the transit landscape of Brooklyn and Queens in 2026.