Bus system operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Bus System| Company type | Public transportation |
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| Industry | Public transit |
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| Predecessor | Boston Elevated Railway, Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, Middlesex and Boston Street Railway, Service Bus Lines |
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| Founded | 1964 |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area, Massachusetts |
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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/schedules/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's bus system manages 151 routes throughout the Boston, Massachusetts region, all designed to connect with the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other MBTA bus lines. A majority of these routes originated from former streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway or suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA directly oversees 147 routes, while four are operated by private contractors; additionally, four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
As of 2024, the local bus fare is set at $1.70; however, Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the $2.40 subway fare. Express bus services combine local and express segments, with a $4.25 charge for the express portion.
Service experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic but was restored to pre-pandemic levels by 2021, though some routes continue to be suspended. Since 2018, the MBTA has been working on a comprehensive bus network redesign scheduled for completion in 2028, with initial modifications taking effect in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line operates as a six-route bus rapid transit system promoted as rapid transit. It is divided into two segments: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and charges subway fares; and the Washington Street service (SL4, SL5), which operates on surface streets and charges standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; Waterfront routes utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within tunnels.
Service SL5 commenced in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated. The Shuttle service began in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 in 2004 and SL1 in 2005 featuring dual-mode buses. SL4 was introduced in 2009 after plans for a Phase III tunnel were canceled. A new SL3 route extending to Chelsea opened in 2018.
Crosstown
The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes that provide limited-stop connections between key subway and bus transfer locations. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These lines cover almost all local transit within the metropolitan center, many tracing their origins to Boston Elevated Railway streetcar routes. The BERy was incorporated into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947, which later transformed into the MBTA in 1964. Although there have been some consolidations and expansions, the fundamental network remains largely unchanged.
Seven routes—, , , , , , and —serve the western suburban regions including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes originated from the 1972 acquisition of Middlesex and Boston Street Railway services.
In 2004, fourteen routes—such as , , , , , , , among others—were identified as key bus routes, delivering frequent service to Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods and complementing the subway system. The MBTA's 2024 Bus Network Redesign is phasing out the key bus route classification in favor of a more comprehensive frequent route network. Routes 28 and 39 operate with 60-foot articulated buses.
There are four early morning round trips running between outlying stations and , primarily intended for station staff but accessible to all riders. These trips are internally numbered 191–194 and appear as local route variants in schedules.
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131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve the Melrose region, originating from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. Routes 136 (now discontinued) and 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence while under MBTA operation. Route 132 was initially run by Service Bus Lines before MBTA assumed control in 1975.
171
Route 171 operates as a limited service replacement for the early morning CT3 route that was truncated from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were short-lived services catering to industrial zones.
201–202
The number 20 belt route, established by M.T.A. in 1962 from remnants of BERy's routes 20 and 21, was renumbered as routes 201 and 202 in 2005 to distinguish loop travel directions more clearly.
210–245
Routes numbered 210 through 245 primarily serve the Quincy region, tracing their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines incorporated into the MBTA in 1968. These routes initially connected to Fields Corner station. With the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, many of these services were redirected to conclude mainly at rapid transit hubs such as .
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn locales, routes 350 to 354 derive from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell–Boston corridor, which was transferred to MBTA ownership in 1968 and subsequently shortened to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
These routes operate throughout Lynn and the North Shore region, encompassing former Service Bus Lines routes (411 and 430) acquired in 1975 as well as mainly Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines integrated in 1968. Several routes heading toward Haymarket provide weekend short-turn options that end at Wonderland.
501–558
These express bus services provide a link between Newton and downtown Boston, traveling along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established in the 1960s to take advantage of the turnpike's extension, the 500 series includes routes that originated from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway (notably the 550 series). These routes were extended into downtown Boston during that era and were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972. In 2020, service was truncated to terminate at Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial subsidies for suburban routes beyond its central service area that connect with its network. The radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716 were originally operated by private companies—Rapid Transit Inc. manages 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation operates 714, and Hudson Bus Lines runs 716.
Local circulator services without route numbers are typically initiated by municipalities with some MBTA financial support. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is operated by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, these services are privately managed under contract.
Municipal circulator service in Bedford
Shuttle service provided by the City of Beverly
Local service consisting of four routes in Lexington
Community shuttle operating in Mission Hill
External links
