Bus division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston, Massachusetts
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 routes, express routes, Silver Line BRT |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The MBTA bus division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority oversees 151 routes throughout the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region, providing connections to the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, and other bus networks. The majority of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway and suburban carriers such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. Of these routes, 147 are managed directly by the MBTA, while four are operated by private contractors, and an additional four suburban routes receive partial MBTA funding.
As of 2024, the standard local bus fare is $1.70 per one-way trip. The Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) require payment of the subway fare, which is $2.40. Express bus routes include a local segment priced at $1.70 and an express segment into downtown Boston costing $4.25.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in service, leading to suspensions and modifications on certain routes; however, most services returned to near pre-pandemic levels by 2021. Since 2018, the MBTA has been developing a comprehensive bus network redesign scheduled for completion in 2028, with initial adjustments commencing in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line consists of six bus rapid transit (BRT) routes promoted as rapid transit options. It features two main branches: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW shuttle), which operates through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street service (SL4, SL5), which runs on surface streets. Waterfront routes require payment of subway fares, whereas Washington Street routes charge standard bus fares. All Silver Line buses are articulated 60-foot vehicles; those serving the Waterfront are hybrids equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within the tunnel.
The SL5 route began in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated. The Shuttle service started in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 later that year; SL1 commenced in 2005 utilizing dual-mode buses. SL4 was introduced in 2009 after plans for a Phase III tunnel were canceled. In 2018, a new SL3 route to Chelsea was launched.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop connections between key subway stations and major bus transfer points. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes cover almost the entirety of local transit within the metropolitan center, with most originally established as Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, they have largely remained consistent since the BERy period, notwithstanding some consolidations and expansions during the M.T.A. and MBTA administrations.
Seven lines— , , , , , , and — operate in the western suburban areas including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes trace their origins to services acquired from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972 and were assigned numbers previously retired.
Fourteen routes—such as , , , , , , , , , , , , , and — were labeled as key bus routes in 2004. These high-ridership lines complement subway service by delivering frequent transit options to the city's most densely populated neighborhoods. Starting in 2024, the MBTA is moving away from the "key bus" classification toward a more comprehensive frequent route network. Routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.
A set of four early morning round trips (191–194) operate between outlying stations and across various local routes, mainly intended for station agents but accessible to all passengers.
131–137
Serving Melrose and its surroundings, routes 131 through 137 originate from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. Routes 136 (now discontinued) and 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence under MBTA administration. Route 132 began as a Service Bus Lines operation before transitioning to MBTA control in 1975.
171
Route 171 functions as a limited-stop substitute for early morning CT3 service that was curtailed from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series primarily consisted of short-lived shuttles serving industrial zones.
201–202
Originally created by the M.T.A. in 1962 from BERy legacy routes as the 20 belt line, this service was rebranded into routes 201 and 202 in 2005 to better distinguish loop travel directions.
210–245
Routes numbered 210 through 245 primarily serve the Quincy vicinity, tracing their origins to the former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. With the gradual inauguration of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these bus lines were redirected to conclude at rapid transit stations such as , enhancing transfer efficiency.
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn regions, routes in the 350-354 range originate from the former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell–Boston corridor. This line was taken over by the MBTA in 1968 and later shortened to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
These routes operate across Lynn and the North Shore area. They include former Service Bus Lines (such as 411 and 430) acquired in 1975 alongside Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed in 1968. Weekend short-turn services, indicated by a W suffix, terminate at Wonderland station for two routes serving Haymarket.
501–558
These limited-stop routes provide a connection between Newton and downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The MBTA launched the 500 series during the 1960s to take advantage of the newly extended turnpike. The 550 series evolved from former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines serving Newton Corner, which were extended to downtown Boston in the 1960s and incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972; however, these routes were truncated back to Newton Corner in 2020.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban routes located beyond its primary service area that interface with MBTA transit services. The routes numbered 712 through 716 are commuter lines radiating outward, initially operated by private companies—Rapid Transit Inc. managed routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation operated 714, and Hudson Bus Lines ran 716—before being absorbed by the MBTA.
Routes without numeric designations are local circulator services created by municipalities with financial support from the MBTA. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all are operated under private contracts.
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