Public bus transit network serving the Boston metropolitan area
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Division| Company type | Public transit agency division |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Predecessor | Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, Middlesex and Boston Street Railway, Boston Elevated Railway |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan region |
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| Products | Bus transit services including local, express, and bus rapid transit (Silver Line) |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus division manages 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region, all of which connect with MBTA subway lines, Commuter Rail services, or other bus routes. The majority of these routes evolved from historic streetcar lines or suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts and Middlesex and Boston Street Railways. Direct MBTA operation covers 147 routes, while four are run by private contractors, and an additional four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
As of 2024, local bus fares are set at $1.70 for a one-way trip. The Silver Line's waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) require the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express buses charge $4.25 for their highway express segment but allow travel on local portions at the regular local fare.
Although service faced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, most routes were reinstated by 2021; however, some remain inactive. Since 2018, the MBTA has been planning a comprehensive bus network overhaul slated for completion by 2028, with initial modifications beginning in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit system composed of six routes and promoted as providing rapid transit service. It consists of two main segments: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, and SLW shuttle), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street branch (SL4 and SL5), operating on surface streets. The Waterfront routes require payment of subway fares, whereas the Washington Street routes charge standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; Waterfront services utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capabilities to enable electric operation within tunnels.
In 2002, SL5 replaced the Washington Street Elevated rail line. The Shuttle service commenced in 2004 alongside SL2 and the original SL3; SL1 began operation in 2005 with dual-mode buses. After cancellation of a planned Phase III tunnel project, SL4 was introduced in 2009. A new SL3 route connecting to Chelsea launched in 2018.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop connections between major subway stations and bus transfer points. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
Routes 1–121
These numbered routes form the backbone of local transit within Boston’s metropolitan core, many tracing their origins to former Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Arranged approximately clockwise from southeast to northeast, these routes have persisted through organizational transitions from BERy to the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947 and later to the MBTA in 1964. While some minor routes have been consolidated over time, the core network remains largely preserved with expansions during both M.T.A. and MBTA periods.
Seven specific routes— , , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These originated from the MBTA’s acquisition of Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines in 1972 and were assigned previously unused numbers.
In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were designated as key bus routes due to their high ridership levels. These primary corridors complement subway service by offering frequent connections to densely populated urban areas. Starting in 2024, as part of the Bus Network Redesign initiative, this classification is being phased out in favor of a broader frequent route framework. Notably, routes 28 and 39 operate using articulated buses measuring 60 feet.
A small subset of early morning trips (routes 191–194) provide limited round-trip service linking outlying stations with overlaid portions of various local lines; these trips primarily support station agents but are accessible to all passengers.
... [List continues following similar formatting for all additional routes] ...
131–137
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. The now-defunct routes 136 and 137 previously extended service to Lowell and Lawrence when under MBTA management. Route 132 was obtained from Service Bus Lines 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 brief industrial shuttle services.
201–202
The 20 belt route, created in 1962 by combining BERy’s routes 20 and 21, was renumbered as routes 201 and 202 in 2005 to better distinguish the direction of the loops.
210–245
Routes ranging from 210 to 245 cover the Quincy area and originate from Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that the MBTA absorbed in 1968. Following the openings of the Red Line Braintree Branch in the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to terminate at rapid transit stations, mainly at .
350–354
These lines operate in the Burlington and Woburn regions, originally part of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston corridor. The MBTA took over these routes in 1968 and subsequently shortened service to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
Covering the Lynn vicinity and North Shore, these routes include former Service Bus Lines (routes 411, 430) acquired in 1975, along with lines from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway obtained in 1968. On weekends, short-turn services marked with a W suffix operate to Wonderland station rather than Haymarket.
501–558
These express services provide connections between Newton and downtown Boston along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The MBTA launched the 500 series in the 1960s to capitalize on the turnpike's extension into Boston. The 550 series originated from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes to Newton Corner; these were expanded downtown during the 1960s and integrated into MBTA operations in 1972 but were truncated back to Newton Corner as of 2020.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for several suburban transit routes beyond its main service zones, which connect to the MBTA network. Routes 712 through 716 are radial commuter lines that were acquired from private companies—specifically Rapid Transit Inc. (712/713), Nantasket Transportation (714), and Hudson Bus Lines (716).
Routes without numerical designations serve as local circulators, created 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 operated under private contracts.
