236 (MBTA bus)

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus System

Company type	Public transit agency
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	1964
Headquarters	Boston , United States
Area served	Boston metropolitan region, Massachusetts
Products	Bus services, including local, express, crosstown, and Silver Line BRT routes
Owner	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Website	www.mbta.com/bus

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus system manages 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region in Massachusetts. Every route provides connections to the MBTA subway system, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other MBTA bus services. Many of these bus lines have their origins in former streetcar routes operated by the Boston Elevated Railway and suburban transit firms such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. The MBTA directly controls 147 of these routes, while four are operated by private contractors. Additionally, four suburban transit services receive partial funding from the MBTA.

The standard one-way local fare for most buses is $1.70 as of 2024. The Silver Line’s waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the SLW shuttle during rush hours) charge the subway fare of $2.40. Express bus services feature a combined fare structure: a local segment priced at the local fare and an express highway segment costing $4.25 as of 2024.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, service levels were reduced or altered but were restored to pre-pandemic standards by 2021, although some routes have yet to resume operations. Since 2018, the MBTA has been working on a comprehensive redesign of its bus network, aiming for complete rollout by 2028. The first phase of this redesign began implementation in December 2024.

Silver Line

The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit (BRT) network comprising six routes, promoted as a rapid transit option. It consists of two main segments: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the rush-hour SLW shuttle) which travels through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street service (SL4 and SL5), which operates on surface streets along Washington Street. Waterfront routes charge fares equivalent to subway rides, whereas Washington Street routes apply standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses; those on Waterfront routes are hybrid models 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 train line. The Shuttle service followed in 2004, along with the SL2 and an earlier version of SL3 that same year. The SL1 began operating in 2005 using dual-mode buses. After plans for Phase III of the tunnel were cancelled, the SL4 route started service in 2009. A new SL3 line connecting Chelsea opened in 2018.

Route	Description	MBTA link
SL1	Logan Airport terminals– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL2	Drydock Avenue– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL3	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SLW	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL4	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system –South Station	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL5	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system (Temple Place)	Template:MBTA bus EL

Crosstown

The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) bus routes that provide limited-stop service linking key subway stations and major bus transfer points. Originally launched with three crosstown routes in 1994, route CT1 was later merged into route 1 in 2019.

Route	Description	MBTA link
CT2	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
CT3	Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

1–121

These routes constitute the primary framework of local transit within the metropolitan center, many of which originated from former Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, this network has largely remained stable since the BERY was absorbed into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947 and subsequently became part of the MBTA in 1964. Over time, smaller routes have been consolidated into main trunk lines, with additional routes introduced periodically.

Seven routes—, , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These lines evolved from former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972.

In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus routes due to their high ridership. These frequent-service lines support the subway system by connecting Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods. The MBTA’s 2024 Bus Network Redesign is phasing out the "key bus route" designation in favor of a more inclusive frequent route network. Notably, routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.

There are four early morning round trips that link outlying stations with through various local routes. Although primarily intended for station personnel, these trips are accessible to all passengers. Internally numbered 191–194, they appear as variants of local routes in published timetables.

Route	Description	MBTA link
1	Harvard Square– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
4	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system –Marine Park	Template:MBTA bus EL

131–137

Routes numbered 131 through 137 provide service to the Melrose area and derive from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were integrated into the MBTA in 1968. The now-discontinued routes 136 and 137 once extended briefly to Lowell and Lawrence, their original endpoints. Route 132 began as a Service Bus Lines operation before transitioning to MBTA management in 1975.

Route	Description	MBTA link
131	Melrose Highlands– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system or REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
132	Redstone Shopping Center– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
134	North Woburn– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
137	Reading Depot– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

171

Route 171 operates as a limited-service substitute for the early morning CT3 service that was shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes within the 170 series were brief services catering to industrial zones.

Route	Description	MBTA link
171	Logan Airport terminals– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

201–202

Initially formed by the M.T.A. in 1962 from BERy’s 20 and 21 stub routes, the 20 belt route was renumbered in 2005 as routes 201 and 202 to better indicate the direction of their loops.

Route	Description	MBTA link
201	Fields Corner Loop traveling via Neponset Avenue	Template:MBTA bus EL
202	Fields Corner Loop traveling via Adams Street	Template:MBTA bus EL

210–245

Operating around Quincy, Massachusetts, routes numbered 210 through 245 trace their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that the MBTA absorbed in 1968. Following the gradual inauguration of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to terminate at rapid transit stations, predominantly .

Route	Description	MBTA link
210	From REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
211	Connecting REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system with Squantum	Template:MBTA bus EL
215	Linking REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system via West Quincy	Template:MBTA bus EL
216	Running between Houghs Neck and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system through Germantown	Template:MBTA bus EL
217	Service between REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
220	Connecting Hingham, Massachusetts to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
222	Linking Weymouth, Massachusetts with REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
225	From Weymouth Landing/East Braintree station to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
226	Serving Weymouth, Massachusetts and Braintree	Template:MBTA bus EL
230	Between Montello station and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
236	Connecting South Shore Plaza with REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
238	Running from Holbrook/Randolph station to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
240	Linking Avon, Massachusetts and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
245	Service between REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

350–354

Serving areas such as Burlington and Woburn, these routes evolved from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell–Boston line, which the MBTA acquired in 1968 before shortening service to Burlington.

Route	Description	MBTA link
350	North Burlington to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
351	Between Bedford Woods Drive and Third Avenue	Template:MBTA bus EL
354	North Burlington connecting to State Street, Boston	Template:MBTA bus EL

411–465

Serving Lynn and the North Shore region, these routes incorporate former Service Bus Lines acquired in 1975 and Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines obtained in 1968. On weekends, two Haymarket routes feature short-turn variants marked with the suffix W, which terminate at Wonderland station.

Route	Description	MBTA link
411	From Kennedy Drive or Jack Satter House to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
424	Connecting Eastern Avenue & Essex Street to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
426	Linking Central Square, Lynn with REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
426W	From Central Square, Lynn to Wonderland station (weekend short-turn)	Template:MBTA bus EL
428	Operating between Oaklandvale and Haymarket station	Template:MBTA bus EL
429	Running from Northgate Shopping Center to Central Square, Lynn	Template:MBTA bus EL
430	Service from Saugus Center to Malden Center station	Template:MBTA bus EL
435	Connecting Salem Depot to Central Square, Lynn via Peabody Square	Template:MBTA bus EL
436	From Liberty Tree Mall to Central Square, Lynn passing through Goodwin Circle	Template:MBTA bus EL
439	Linking Nahant with Wonderland station	Template:MBTA bus EL
441	Route from Marblehead to Wonderland station via Massachusetts Route 1A#Paradise Road	Template:MBTA bus EL
442	Service between Marblehead and Wonderland station using Humphrey Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
450	Connecting Salem Depot and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
450W	Weekend variant from Salem Depot to Wonderland station	Template:MBTA bus EL
451	Running between North Beverly station and Salem Depot	Template:MBTA bus EL
455	Service from Salem Depot to Wonderland station	Template:MBTA bus EL
456	Connecting Salem Depot with Central Square, Lynn	Template:MBTA bus EL

501–558

These express routes provide direct service between Newton, Massachusetts and downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Originating in the 1960s to capitalize on the turnpike extension, the 500 series buses cover essential commuter corridors. The 550 series evolved from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes serving Newton Corner station, extended downtown during the 1960s, later integrated into MBTA operations in 1972; in 2020, these were shortened to terminate again at Newton Corner.

Privately operated routes

The MBTA provides partial financial support for suburban routes extending beyond its primary service zones that interface with MBTA transit systems. Routes 712 through 716 represent radial commuter lines that were formerly run by private companies—Rapid Transit Inc. operates routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation manages route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines oversees route 716.

Local circulator routes, identified by letters on MBTA maps, are established by municipalities and receive some MBTA funding. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these services are operated under private contracts.

Route	Description	MBTA link
501	(Brighton Center) to Federal Street & Franklin Street in the Financial District of Boston	Template:MBTA bus EL
504	(Watertown Yard) connecting to Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District	Template:MBTA bus EL
505	(Waltham Center) route terminating at Federal Street & Franklin Street in Boston's Financial District	Template:MBTA bus EL

Route	Description	MBTA link	Operator
Template:MBTABus	Point Shirley in Winthrop to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system via Revere Street	Template:MBTA bus EL	Paul Revere Transportation
Template:MBTABus	Point Shirley in Winthrop to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system via Winthrop Center	Template:MBTA bus EL
714	From Pemberton Point, Hull, Massachusetts to Station Street, Hingham, Massachusetts	Template:MBTA bus EL	DPV Transportation
716	'Cobbs Corner to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	716}

BED || Bedford Local Transit service || Town of Bedford BEV || Beverly City Shuttle || CATA LEX || Lexington Lexpress (four routes) || Town of Lexington MIS || Mission Hill LINK || Volunteers

Route	Description	Operator