Bus division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the Boston metropolitan area
MBTA Bus Division| Company type | Division |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area |
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| Products | Bus services, including local, express, and bus rapid transit (Silver Line) |
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| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
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The MBTA bus division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority manages 151 routes throughout the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region, providing connections to the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, and other bus networks. Many of these routes trace their origins back to historic streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway or suburban providers such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA directly oversees 147 of these routes, while four are operated by private contractors; additionally, four suburban services receive partial funding from the MBTA.
As of 2024, the standard local bus fare is $1.70 for a one-way trip. The Silver Line’s waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) require a subway fare of $2.40. Express buses charge $1.70 for local travel and $4.25 for trips utilizing express highways. Service levels were curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic but largely returned to near pre-pandemic frequency by 2021, with some routes eliminated. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking a comprehensive bus network redesign anticipated to conclude by 2028; the first phase was implemented in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line comprises six routes within a bus rapid transit system promoted as rapid transit. It is divided into two segments: Waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which operate through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and Washington Street services (SL4, SL5), which run on surface streets. Waterfront routes charge fares equivalent to the subway system, whereas Washington Street routes apply standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; those on the Waterfront routes are hybrid models equipped with an extended battery range to facilitate electric operation within tunnels.
In 2002, SL5 replaced the Washington Street Elevated line. The Shuttle service commenced in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 later that year, with SL1 launching in 2005 using dual-mode buses. In 2009, SL4 began service as a replacement for a canceled tunnel project. A new SL3 route serving Chelsea was introduced in 2018.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) services provide limited-stop connections between key subway and bus transfer hubs. Initially, three crosstown lines were established by the MBTA in 1994; however, CT1 was integrated into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes cover almost all local transit within the metropolitan center, with most having evolved from Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, their numbering has remained relatively stable since the BERy period, continuing through the Metropolitan Transit Authority and into MBTA oversight. Some smaller routes were consolidated into main trunk lines, while new services were introduced under M.T.A. and MBTA administration.
Seven lines – , , , , , , and – extend service to distant western suburbs including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes trace their origins to former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines that were acquired in 1972 and subsequently renumbered.
In 2004, fourteen routes – such as , , , , , , , , , , , , , and – were identified as key bus routes. These high-ridership corridors complement the subway system by delivering frequent service to Boston’s most populated neighborhoods. With the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign beginning in 2024, the "key bus route" designation is being phased out while the network of frequent routes expands. Routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.
Four early morning round trips (routes 191–194) operate between outlying stations and , covering segments of various local routes. Primarily intended for station agents, these trips are accessible to all riders.
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131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve the Melrose region, originating from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. The now-discontinued routes 136 and 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence during MBTA management. Route 132 was originally operated by Service Bus Lines before being incorporated into the MBTA in 1975.
171
Route 171 offers limited early morning trips connecting Logan Airport terminals with , succeeding the discontinued CT3 extension eliminated in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were short-lived industrial shuttle services.
201–202
Originally established by the M.T.A. in 1962 as the 20 belt route from former BERy lines, this service was divided into routes 201 and 202 in 2005 to better distinguish the loop directions around Fields Corner.
210–245
Routes numbered 210 through 245 primarily serve the Quincy region, operating on former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. Following the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to conclude at rapid transit stations such as .
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn vicinity, these routes trace their origins back to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell–Boston corridor, which was absorbed by the MBTA in 1968 and subsequently truncated to Burlington.
411–465
Serving Lynn and the North Shore region, these routes include former Service Bus Lines paths (411, 430) acquired in 1975, along with primarily Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes dating back to 1968. On weekends, select short-turn versions (indicated by the suffix W) of two Haymarket routes conclude at Wonderland.
501–558
These express routes provide service between Newton and downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Launched by the MBTA in the 1960s alongside the turnpike extension, the 500 series includes routes initially operated by Middlesex and Boston Street Railway serving Newton Corner; these were extended downtown during the 1960s and incorporated into MBTA operations in 1972. In 2020, several of these routes were shortened back to Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban routes beyond its central service area that connect to its network. The radial commuter lines numbered 712 through 716 were originally owned by private companies—specifically, Rapid Transit Inc. operated routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation managed 714, and Hudson Bus Lines ran 716 before MBTA acquisition.
Routes without numerical designations, identified by MBTA codes, serve as local circulator services established by local governments with some financial backing from the MBTA. These services are operated by private contractors except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.
| Route
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Description
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MBTA link
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| 501
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Connecting Brighton Center (Brighton, Massachusetts) with Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| 504
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\{\{bts\}\} Watertown Yard to Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| 505
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\{\{Waltham station\}\} Waltham Center to Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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