Bus system operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus System| Company type | Public transit agency |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan region |
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| Products | Bus services, including local routes, express routes, Silver Line BRT |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus system manages 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region, providing connections to MBTA subway lines, commuter rail services, and other bus networks. Many of these routes have their origins in former streetcar lines or suburban transit providers such as the Eastern Massachusetts and Middlesex and Boston Street Railways. While the MBTA operates 147 of these routes directly, four are run by private contractors, and an additional four suburban routes receive partial MBTA subsidies.
As of 2024, the standard local bus fare is $1.70 per one-way trip. The Silver Line's waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) charge the typical subway fare of $2.40. Express buses impose a $4.25 fare for travel on highways, with local sections priced at the usual rate.
Bus service experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 crisis but had largely returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2021, although some routes continue to be suspended. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking a comprehensive bus network redesign expected to conclude by 2028; initial modifications commenced in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line encompasses six bus rapid transit routes promoted as rapid transit options. It consists of two main branches: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which operates through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and charges subway fares; and the Washington Street service (SL4, SL5), which runs on surface streets with standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; those servicing the Waterfront routes are hybrid models equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route replaced the Washington Street Elevated line in 2002. The Shuttle service began operations in 2004, followed later that year by SL2 and SL3. SL1 was introduced in 2005 alongside dual-mode buses. After a planned tunnel project was canceled, SL4 launched in 2009. A new SL3 route connecting Chelsea opened in 2018.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) routes offer limited-stop service linking significant subway stations and bus transfer hubs. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
This group of routes primarily serves local transit within Boston’s core metropolitan area, many tracing their lineage back to Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. The numbering generally follows a clockwise pattern from southeast to northeast and has stayed mostly consistent since the BERy era through subsequent Metropolitan Transit Authority and MBTA reorganizations. Additional routes have been introduced over time.
Seven lines – , , , , , , and – extend into western suburbs such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These originated from routes acquired from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972 and were later renumbered.
Fourteen routes – , , , , , , , , , , , , , and – were identified as key bus routes in 2004 due to their high ridership. These lines complement subway service by offering frequent trips to Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods. The MBTA is gradually eliminating the key route classification with its 2024 Bus Network Redesign while expanding frequent service across more lines. Routes 28 and 39 utilize articulated buses measuring 60 feet.
Additionally, four early morning round trips operate between outlying stations and over various local routes primarily intended for station agents but available to all passengers; these trips carry internal designations 191–194 but appear as variants of local routes.
131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 primarily cover the Melrose region. These lines originated from the former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. The now-defunct routes 136 and 137 once extended service to Lowell and Lawrence during the MBTA's operational period. Route 132 was initially operated by Service Bus Lines before its acquisition by the MBTA in 1975.
171
Route 171 provides limited service as a replacement for the early morning CT3 route, which was shortened from its original terminus at Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were short-duration services catering to industrial zones.
201–202
Originally designated as the 20 belt route by M.T.A. in 1962, formed from BERY’s existing routes, this service was renumbered in 2005 into routes 201 and 202 to distinguish the loop directions more clearly.
210–245
The routes numbered from 210 to 245 serve the Quincy vicinity. These lines trace their origins to Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway services that were absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. Following the introduction of the Braintree Branch Red Line stations in the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to terminate at various Red Line stops.
350–354
These routes operate in the Burlington and Woburn regions, tracing their origins to the Lowell–Boston corridor once managed by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA took over these lines in 1968, subsequently shortening the service to terminate in Burlington.
411–465
Serving Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes consist of former Service Bus Lines routes (such as 411 and 430) acquired in 1975, alongside mainly Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes inherited in 1968. Weekend services with a W suffix operate shortened trips ending at Wonderland station.
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Route Description
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MBTA Link
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| 411
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Jack Satter House or Kennedy Drive–
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| 424
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Essex Street & Eastern Avenue–
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| 426
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Central Square, Lynn–
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| 426W
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Wonderland station to Central Square, Lynn
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| 428
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Haymarket station to Oaklandvale
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| 429
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Central Square, Lynn to Northgate Shopping Center
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| 430
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Malden Center station to Saugus Center
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| 435
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Central Square, Lynn to Salem Depot via Peabody Square
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| 436
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Central Square, Lynn to Liberty Tree Mall via Goodwin Circle
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| 439
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Wonderland station to Nahant
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| 441
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'Marblehead' to Wonderland station via Massachusetts Route 1A
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501–558
These express services link Newton with downtown Boston by way of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Originating in the 1960s to utilize the turnpike's extension, the 500-series includes former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes (originally numbered in the 550s) that were extended downtown during that decade and incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972. In 2020, these routes were scaled back to terminate at Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial subsidies for suburban transit routes that extend beyond its main service zone and connect with MBTA transit lines. Routes 712 through 716 are radial commuter services originally operated by private companies, including Rapid Transit Inc. (712/713), Nantasket Transportation (714), and Hudson Bus Lines (716). Moreover, several local circulator routes have been created by municipalities with some financial support from the MBTA. These routes are run by private contractors, with the exception of the Beverly Shuttle, which is overseen by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.
