A rookie NYPD officer is recovering after being shot in both legs by a man police say boarded a bus without paying.

Police say Officer James Li was taken to Kings County Hospital where he’s in stable condition.

Police Chief of Department Philip Banks says Li and his partner, also a rookie, saw the suspect and another man enter a bus in Brooklyn through the rear doors Wednesday night.

He says the suspect fled and fired at the officers, who fired back.

Bystanders came to the aid of the wounded officer and pointed out where the suspect fled.

The suspect was arrested nearby.

Mayor Bill de Blasio praised bystanders for their help.

Banks says there was an active warrant from Pennsylvania for the suspect’s arrest on drug charges.

(AP)