Bus routes managed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston metropolitan area
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Services| Company type | Public transportation agency |
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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; 62 years ago (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 transit services, including local bus routes, express bus routes, Silver Line BRT |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Website | www.mbta.com |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) manages 151 bus routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region in Massachusetts. Each route provides connections to the MBTA subway system, Commuter Rail lines, or other MBTA bus services. Many of these routes originate from former streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway or suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. Of the total routes, 147 are directly managed by the MBTA, while four are operated through private contractors. Additionally, four suburban transit services receive partial funding support from the MBTA.
The prevailing local fare for most bus trips is $1.70 one-way as of 2024. The Silver Line routes serving the waterfront (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express bus services include a local segment charged at the local fare rate and an express highway segment with a $4.25 fare (2024).
Service levels experienced reductions during the COVID-19 pandemic but were restored to pre-pandemic standards by 2021, although some routes continue to be suspended. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking an extensive redesign of its bus network, with completion targeted for 2028. The initial phase commenced in December 2024, focusing on enhancing route frequency and operational efficiency.
Silver Line
The Silver Line comprises six bus rapid transit (BRT) routes promoted as rapid transit options. It consists of two main branches: the Waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW shuttle), which operate through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street services (SL4, SL5), running along surface streets. The Waterfront routes charge fares equivalent to those of the subway system, whereas Washington Street routes maintain standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; Waterfront services utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capacity to enable electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route was introduced in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated line. The Shuttle service began in 2004, followed by SL2 and a previous version of SL3 that same year. The SL1 service started in 2005 using dual-mode buses. After plans for a Phase III tunnel were canceled, SL4 launched in 2009. A new SL3 route connecting to Chelsea was inaugurated in 2018.
Crosstown
The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes that provide limited-stop connections between primary subway stations and major bus transfer hubs. Initially launched in 1994 with three crosstown routes, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes cover nearly all local transit within the metropolitan center, with most originally established as streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway. In 1947, the BERy evolved into the Metropolitan Transit Authority, which later became the MBTA in 1964. Although there have been modifications and consolidations over time, the fundamental network has remained mostly consistent, with new routes introduced during both the M.T.A. and MBTA eras.
Seven routes— , , , , , , and — extend service to western suburban communities such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These lines trace their origins to former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes acquired in 1972 and subsequently renumbered.
In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , , , , , , , , , , , and — were identified as key bus routes due to their high ridership. These primary lines complement subway services by offering frequent transit options in the city’s most densely populated neighborhoods. The MBTA is currently eliminating the "key route" designation as part of its 2024 Bus Network Redesign, while broadening the network of frequent service routes. Notably, routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.
Early Morning Trips
There are four early morning round trips (internally numbered 191–194) operating between outlying stations and along portions of various local routes. These trips are primarily intended for station agents but are available to all passengers.
[Additional route listings omitted for brevity]
131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve the Melrose region, originally part of former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. The discontinued route 136 and route 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence under MBTA administration. Route 132 began as a Service Bus Lines operation before transitioning to MBTA management in 1975.
171
Route 171 functions as a limited-service substitute for early morning CT3 trips that were shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series operated briefly as industrial shuttles.
201–202
The belt route numbered 20 was created in 1962 by combining BERy's former routes 20 and 21 segments. In 2005, it was rebranded as routes 201 and 202 to better distinguish the directions of the loop service.
210–245
Routes numbered 210 through 245 mainly serve the Quincy, Massachusetts region. These lines originated from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway network, which the MBTA took over in 1968. Following the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to connect with rapid transit stations, primarily terminating at .
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn areas, these routes stem from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell to Boston line, which the MBTA acquired in 1968 and subsequently shortened to terminate in Burlington.
411–465
These routes operate throughout Lynn and the North Shore region. They include former Service Bus Lines routes (such as 411 and 430) purchased in 1975, along with many lines from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway system acquired in 1968. Services running to Haymarket often provide weekend short-turn trips (marked with a W suffix) that end at Wonderland.
501–558
These bus lines offer expedited connections between Newton and Boston's downtown area by traveling along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Introduced by the MBTA during the 1960s, the 500 series routes were designed to take advantage of the newly extended turnpike. The 550 series has its origins in the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes that initially served Newton Corner; these routes were extended into downtown Boston in the 1960s and later incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972. However, in 2020, service was scaled back to terminate again at Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban transit lines located beyond its primary service zone that link with MBTA transit facilities. Radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716 were formerly operated by private companies—Rapid Transit Inc. managed routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation handled route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines ran route 716—before being integrated into the current system.
Routes without numerical designations function as local circulators initiated by local governments and receive some MBTA financial support. With the exception of the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these services are operated by private contractors.
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