Bus system operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the Boston metropolitan area
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus system| Company type | Public transportation |
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| Industry | Public transit |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
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| Website | mbta.com/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus system manages 151 routes throughout the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region, all of which connect with MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other MBTA bus services. The majority of these routes originate from historic streetcar lines once operated by the Boston Elevated Railway and various suburban operators such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. Of these, the MBTA directly runs 147 routes, while four are operated by private contractors; additionally, four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
As of 2024, local bus fares are set at $1.70 for a one-way trip, whereas Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) charge the subway fare of $2.40. Express buses feature a dual fare structure: the local portion is priced at the standard local fare, while the express highway segment costs $4.25.
Although many service cutbacks implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic were reversed by 2021, some routes remain inactive. Since 2018, the MBTA has been developing an extensive bus network redesign anticipated to conclude by 2028; initial modifications commenced in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line consists of six bus rapid transit routes promoted as rapid transit options. It operates two main branches: the Waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which run through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and require subway fares, and the Washington Street services (SL4, SL5), which operate on surface streets and charge regular bus fares. All vehicles are 60-foot articulated buses; Waterfront routes utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capacity to support electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route replaced the former Washington Street Elevated in 2002. The Shuttle service was introduced in 2004, followed by SL2 and SL3 later that year, and SL1 in 2005 featuring dual-mode buses. SL4 began service in 2009 after plans for a Phase III tunnel were abandoned. A new SL3 extension to Chelsea launched in 2018.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) lines offer limited-stop service that links key subway stations and bus terminals. Originally launched with three crosstown routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes primarily provide local transit within the metropolitan center, many of which originated as streetcar lines under the Boston Elevated Railway. Numbered approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, these routes have remained mostly consistent since the BERy period, adapting through the transitions of the Metropolitan Transit Authority and later the MBTA.
Seven routes—, , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These were incorporated following the acquisition of the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972.
In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus lines. These high-demand corridors provide frequent service that complements the subway system within densely populated urban neighborhoods. Starting in 2024, the MBTA's Bus Network Redesign will replace this designation with a more extensive frequent route network. Notably, routes 28 and 39 operate with 60-foot articulated buses.
Four early morning round trips (routes 191–194) link outlying stations to via segments of multiple local routes. These trips primarily support station agents but are accessible to all riders.
... [Table continues with remaining routes] ...
131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve the Melrose region. These lines trace their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway services that were absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. The now-discontinued routes 136 and 137 once extended to Lowell and Lawrence, their original endpoints. Route 132 was initially operated by Service Bus Lines before transitioning to MBTA management in 1975.
171
Route 171 operates as a limited-service substitute for early morning CT3 trips that were curtailed from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were short-lived services catering to industrial zones.
201–202
The former 20 belt route was established by the M.T.A. in 1962, evolving from BERy’s original route stubs numbered 20 and 21. In 2005, it was divided into routes 201 and 202 to better indicate loop directions.
210–245
The bus routes numbered 210 through 245 primarily serve the Quincy, Massachusetts area. These lines trace their origins to the former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway network, which was integrated into the MBTA system in 1968. Following the gradual launch of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, many of these routes were adjusted to conclude their trips at rapid transit stations such as .
350–354
These routes operate in the Burlington and Woburn regions, descending from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston line, which the MBTA acquired in 1968. Over time, this service was shortened to focus on Burlington.
411–465
Serving Lynn and the North Shore communities, these routes include former Service Bus Lines (such as 411 and 430), which were incorporated into the MBTA in 1975, alongside primarily Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes acquired in 1968. On weekends, shortened trips marked with a W suffix end at Wonderland station.
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|- | 450
|'Salem Depot–
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|- | 450W
|'Salem Depot–Wonderland station
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|- | 451
|'North Beverly station–Salem Depot
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|- | 455
|'Salem Depot–Wonderland station
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|- | 456
|'Salem Depot–Central Square, Lynn
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}
501–558
These express bus routes provide a connection between Newton and downtown Boston, primarily utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The MBTA launched the 500 series during the 1960s to take advantage of the turnpike's extension into Boston. The 550 series traces its origins to former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway services to Newton Corner, which were extended into downtown Boston in the 1960s and later integrated into the MBTA system in 1972; however, these routes were shortened back to Newton Corner in 2020.
Privately operated routes
Several suburban routes beyond the MBTA’s primary service region receive partial subsidies and connect with MBTA transit. The radial commuter lines numbered 712 through 716 were formerly run by private companies before acquisition: Rapid Transit Inc. operates routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation manages 714, and Hudson Bus Lines handles 716.
Local circulator services, identified on MBTA maps without route numbers, are established by municipalities with some MBTA financial support. Except for the Beverly Shuttle—which is operated by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority—all these routes are run by private contractors.
| Route
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Description
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Operator
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|- |BED
|'Bedford Local Transit'
|'Town of Bedford'
|- |BEV
|'Beverly City Shuttle'
|'CATA'
|- |LEX
|'Lexington Lexpress (comprising four routes)'
|'Town of Lexington'
|- |MIS
|'Mission Hill LINK'
|'Volunteers'
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External links
