The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus system manages 151 routes within the Boston metropolitan region, all providing connections to MBTA subway lines, Commuter Rail services, or other bus routes. Out of these, 147 routes are operated directly by the MBTA, while four are run under contract by private firms. Furthermore, four suburban transit services receive partial financial support from the MBTA.
As of 2024, the fare for local bus rides is $1.70 per trip, whereas the Silver Line waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express buses implement a two-tier fare: $1.70 for local segments and $4.25 for express highway travel.
Service levels were disrupted amid the COVID-19 pandemic but have mostly returned to normal by 2021, with some routes being permanently discontinued. Since 2018, the MBTA has been executing an extensive overhaul of its bus network, anticipated to conclude in 2028. The initial phase of this redesign was rolled out in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit system consisting of six routes and is promoted as a rapid transit option. It includes two distinct segments: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which operates through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and charges subway fares; and the Washington Street branch (SL4, SL5), which runs on surface streets and charges standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; those on Waterfront routes use hybrid technology enabling extended electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route commenced service in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated rail line. The Shuttle service began in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 also in 2004, and SL1 in 2005 utilizing dual-mode buses. The SL4 was introduced in 2009 after plans for a Phase III tunnel were canceled. A new SL3 route serving Chelsea started operating in 2018.
The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop service that links significant subway and bus transfer hubs. Initially launched with three crosstown lines in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
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This group encompasses nearly all local routes serving Boston’s urban core, many of which originated as streetcar lines under the Boston Elevated Railway. These routes are generally numbered in a clockwise sequence from southeast to northeast and have remained mostly consistent since the BERy period, despite some consolidations and additions during the Metropolitan Transit Authority and MBTA eras.
Seven routes— , , , , , , and —operate into western suburbs such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham; these were incorporated following the acquisition of Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972.
In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , , , and —were identified as key bus corridors due to their high ridership and frequent service supporting densely populated areas. The MBTA’s ongoing Bus Network Redesign in 2024 is gradually replacing this classification with a broader frequent route network concept. Notably, routes 28 and 39 deploy articulated buses measuring 60 feet.
Four early morning round trips (191–194) link outer stations with over several local lines primarily for station agents but are open to all passengers.
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Routes numbered 131 through 137 operate within the Melrose vicinity, originating from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. Under MBTA oversight, routes 136 and 137, now discontinued, briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence. Prior to MBTA management starting in 1975, route 132 was operated by Service Bus Lines.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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Route 171 offers limited service as a substitute for early morning CT3 trips that were shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series primarily provided brief service to industrial zones.
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Originally created by the M.T.A. in 1962 from the truncated BERY routes 20 and 21, the 20 belt route was renumbered as routes 201 and 202 in 2005 to better indicate the direction of each loop.
Serving the Quincy region, routes numbered 210 through 245 trace their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. Following the phased introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to terminate at newly established rapid transit stations, predominantly .
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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These lines operate within the Burlington and Woburn regions, originating from the Lowell–Boston corridor once managed by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA took control of this service in 1968 and shortly thereafter reduced its coverage to terminate at Burlington.
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Serving the Lynn vicinity and North Shore, these routes comprise former Service Bus Lines services (notably routes 411 and 430) acquired in 1975, along with primarily Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed in 1968. Two routes originating at Haymarket feature weekend short-turn versions ending at Wonderland.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
These express bus lines provide service between Newton and downtown Boston, utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established in the 1960s, the MBTA introduced the 500 series to take advantage of the newly extended turnpike. The 550 series has its origins in the former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes serving Newton Corner; these were extended into downtown Boston during the 1960s and became part of the MBTA system in 1972. In 2020, these routes were truncated back to Newton Corner.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban routes beyond its primary service area that link with MBTA transit options. The radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716 were originally operated by private companies—Rapid Transit Inc. for routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation for 714, and Hudson Bus Lines for 716—and later incorporated into the system.
Unnumbered routes function as local circulators initiated by municipalities with some MBTA financial support. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these services are privately contracted.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
