Bus system of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus System| File:MBTA logo.svg MBTA logo |
| Company type | Public agency |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Headquarters | Boston, Massachusetts , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area |
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| Products | Bus transit services |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
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| Website | mbta.com |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus system manages 151 routes throughout the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region. Each route connects with the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other MBTA bus lines. Numerous routes trace their origins to former streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway and suburban entities such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. Of these, the MBTA directly runs 147 routes; four are operated by private contractors, while an additional four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
The majority of buses require a local fare of $1.70 as of 2024. The Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express bus routes include a local segment charged at the local fare and a highway express portion with a higher fare of $4.25.
Service levels were scaled back during the COVID-19 pandemic but have largely been restored by 2021, with some routes permanently discontinued. Since 2018, the MBTA has been developing a comprehensive bus network redesign, anticipated to be completed by 2028. Initial modifications were implemented in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line comprises six bus rapid transit routes promoted as rapid transit service. It features two main branches: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the rush-hour SLW shuttle) operating through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street service (SL4 and SL5), which runs on surface streets. Waterfront routes charge fares equivalent to subway rides, whereas Washington Street routes maintain regular bus fares. All vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; Waterfront services utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within tunnels.
In 2002, the SL5 replaced the former Washington Street Elevated. The Shuttle began service in 2004, followed by the original SL2 and SL3 also in 2004, and SL1 in 2005 using dual-mode buses. The SL4 was introduced in 2009 after plans for a tunnel extension were canceled. A new SL3 route to Chelsea commenced operations in 2018.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop connections between key subway stations and bus transfer hubs. Initially, three crosstown routes launched in 1994; however, CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
This group of routes encompasses nearly all local transit services within the metropolitan center, with many having their origins as streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, this network has stayed mostly consistent since the BERy period, notwithstanding some minor consolidations and additions made during the Metropolitan Transit Authority and subsequent MBTA administrations.
Seven routes— , , , , , , and — provide service to western suburban areas such as Bedford, Massachusetts, Waltham, Massachusetts, Lexington, Massachusetts, and Needham, Massachusetts. These routes were incorporated following the 1972 acquisition of Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines and were assigned numbers that had previously been retired.
In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , , , , , , , , , , , and — were identified as key bus lines. These high-demand corridors offer frequent service to complement subway operations within densely populated urban zones. With the MBTA's Bus Network Redesign initiative commencing in 2024, the "key route" classification is being phased out in favor of a more comprehensive frequent route system. Notably, routes 28 and 39 operate with 60-foot articulated buses.
There are four early morning round trips connecting outlying stations and across various local routes. Although primarily intended for station personnel, these trips are open to all riders. Internally numbered 191–194, they are presented as variants of local routes in official schedules.
131–137
Routes numbered from 131 through 137 primarily serve the Melrose, Massachusetts vicinity. These lines originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway services that were absorbed into MBTA operations in 1968. The now-defunct route 136 and route 137 once extended service to their original endpoints in Lowell, Massachusetts and Lawrence, Massachusetts, respectively. Route 132 was initially operated by Service Bus Lines before transitioning to MBTA control in 1975.
171
Route 171 serves as a limited early morning substitute for the CT3 line, which was shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were brief services catering to industrial zones.
201–202
Originally formed by the M.T.A. in 1962 from the truncated BERY routes 20 and 21, the 20 belt route was renamed in 2005 as routes 201 and 202 to better indicate the direction of their respective loops.
210–245
The routes numbered 210 through 245 primarily serve the Quincy, Massachusetts region. These lines originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway services that were integrated into the MBTA system in 1968. With the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to end at rapid transit stations, predominantly .
350–354
These lines operate within the Burlington and Woburn regions, originally part of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston route. The MBTA took over these routes in 1968 and subsequently shortened service to terminate in Burlington.
411–465
Covering the Lynn and North Shore districts, these routes consist of former Service Bus Lines (routes 411 and 430), which were incorporated in 1975, alongside mostly Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines acquired in 1968. Certain weekend short-turn versions of two Haymarket routes, distinguished by a W suffix, conclude at Wonderland station.
501–558
These express bus lines provide transit between Newton and downtown Boston, utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established by the MBTA during the 1960s to capitalize on the turnpike's extension, the 500 series incorporates routes initially operated by the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway (notably the 550 series). These were absorbed into MBTA operations by 1972 and subsequently truncated to terminate at Newton Corner in 2020.
Privately operated routes
Several suburban routes beyond the MBTA's primary service area receive partial funding from the authority and link with MBTA lines. The radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716 were acquired from private companies such as Rapid Transit Inc., Nantasket Transportation, and Hudson Bus Lines.
Additionally, unnumbered local circulator services originated by municipalities operate with partial MBTA backing. Except for the Beverly Shuttle—which is overseen by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority—these services are managed by private contractors.
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