Bus network operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Network| Company type | Public transit agency |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area, Massachusetts, United States |
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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 operates its bus network across 151 routes within the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region. Each route offers connections to the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other MBTA bus lines. Many of these routes have origins tracing back to historic streetcar systems once managed by the Boston Elevated Railway or suburban operators such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. The MBTA manages 147 of these routes directly, while four are operated under contract by private firms; additionally, four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
As of 2024, the standard local bus fare is set at $1.70 for a one-way trip. The Silver Line's waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) charge the same fare as the subway, which is $2.40. Express buses feature a two-tier fare structure: $1.70 for local portions and $4.25 for express segments on highways.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, service levels were curtailed but largely reinstated by 2021, albeit with some route eliminations. Since 2018, the MBTA has been developing an extensive overhaul of its bus network, targeting a completion date in 2028. The first phase of this redesign commenced in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line consists of six routes operating as a bus rapid transit system promoted as rapid transit service. It is divided into two main branches: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which travels through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and charges fares equivalent to the subway; and the Washington Street branch (SL4, SL5), which runs on surface streets with standard bus fares applied. All Silver Line routes deploy articulated 60-foot buses; those on the Waterfront branch use hybrid vehicles equipped with extended electric capabilities suitable for tunnel travel.
The SL5 route was introduced in 2002 as a replacement for the former Washington Street Elevated. The Silver Line Shuttle began operations in 2004, followed by the initial SL2 and SL3 services that same year. The SL1 route started in 2005 utilizing dual-mode buses. After plans for a Phase III tunnel were abandoned, SL4 was launched in 2009. A new SL3 route connecting Chelsea was added in 2018.
Crosstown
The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes that offer limited-stop connections between major subway stations and bus transfer hubs. Initially launched in 1994 with three routes, one—CT1—was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes cover almost all local transit within the metropolitan center, with most originally established as Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Their numbering follows a roughly clockwise sequence from southeast to northeast, starting with 4 located farthest south in South Boston and ending with 121 at the northernmost point in East Boston. The BERy was incorporated into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947, which later transformed into the MBTA in 1964. Although there have been some minor consolidations and additions, the fundamental network has remained predominantly unchanged since the BERy period.
Seven routes — , , , , , , and — extend service to distant western suburbs such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes originated from acquisitions of the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972 and were subsequently renumbered.
In 2004, fourteen routes — including , , , , , , , , , , , , , and — were identified as key bus routes. These high-demand lines complement the subway by offering frequent service throughout the most densely populated urban neighborhoods. Typically operating at increased frequency levels, the key bus route label is being phased out beginning in 2024 as part of the MBTA's Bus Network Redesign, to be replaced by an expanded frequent service network. Notably, Routes 28 and 39 employ 60-foot articulated buses.
There are four early morning round-trip runs between outlying stations and that operate across several local routes. Primarily intended for station staff but accessible to all riders, these trips are internally numbered 191–194 but are displayed as variants of existing local routes.
131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve Melrose and stem from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. The discontinued route 136 and route 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence under MBTA oversight. Route 132 was originally operated by Service Bus Lines before MBTA assumed control 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 were short-term industrial shuttle services.
201–202
Originating in 1962 through the combination of BERy’s 20 and 21 short routes, the 20 belt line was renamed in 2005 as routes 201 and 202 to better distinguish the loop directions around Fields Corner.
210–245
Covering Quincy and adjacent suburbs, routes 210 through 245 originated from Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that MBTA took over in 1968. With the gradual introduction of the Red Line’s Braintree Branch between 1971 and the 1980s, these routes were adjusted to primarily end at rapid transit stations such as Quincy Center.
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn regions, these routes stem from the Lowell–Boston line once operated by Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, which MBTA acquired in 1968 before truncating it to Burlington.
411–465
Covering Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes incorporate former Service Bus Lines routes (411 and 430, acquired in 1975) as well as routes from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway system (taken over in 1968). Two Haymarket lines operate weekend short-turn versions that end at Wonderland, indicated by a W suffix.
501–558
These express services provide connections between Newton and downtown Boston using the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The MBTA launched the 500 series during the 1960s in response to the turnpike's extension. The 550 series evolved from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines that originally ran to Newton Corner station; they were extended into downtown Boston in the 1960s and incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972. In 2020, these routes were shortened back to terminate at Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
Several suburban routes beyond the MBTA's primary service region receive partial subsidies and provide connections to MBTA buses, subways, or commuter rail lines. The radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716 were originally operated by private companies before being acquired by the MBTA—specifically, Rapid Transit Inc. for routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation for route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines for route 716.
Routes without numerical designations function as local circulators initiated by municipalities with some financial support from the MBTA. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these services are run by private contractors.
| Route
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Description
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MBTA link
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| 501
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Brighton Center to Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| 504
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Watertown Yard to Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| 505
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Waltham Center to Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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