Bus system operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in the Boston metropolitan area
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus System| 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 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 |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus system runs 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region, integrating with the MBTA subway, Commuter Rail, and other bus lines. The majority of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar corridors or suburban transit providers such as the Eastern Massachusetts and Middlesex and Boston Street Railways. Out of all routes, 147 are directly managed by the MBTA, while four are operated by private contractors; additionally, four suburban services receive partial funding from the MBTA.
As of 2024, local bus rides cost $1.70 per one-way trip. The Silver Line's waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) charge the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express buses apply two fare levels: $1.70 for local segments and $4.25 for express portions on highways.
Service levels were significantly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic but have mostly returned to normal by 2021, though some routes remain suspended. Since 2018, the MBTA has been working on a major overhaul of the bus network aimed at enhancing service frequency and operational efficiency, with full rollout expected by 2028. The initial phase commenced in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line consists of six bus rapid transit routes promoted as rapid transit options. It is divided into two main branches: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW shuttle), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and charges subway-level fares; and the Washington Street service (SL4, SL5), operating on surface streets with regular bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; Waterfront routes utilize hybrid buses capable of extended electric operation within tunnels.
In 2002, the SL5 route replaced the Washington Street Elevated train line. The Shuttle service began operations in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 also in 2004; SL1 started in 2005 using dual-mode buses. After plans for a tunnel expansion were canceled, SL4 was introduced in 2009. A new SL3 route serving Chelsea was launched in 2018.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop connections between key subway stations and major bus transfer hubs. Initially launched with three crosstown routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes constitute almost all local transit within Boston’s central metropolitan area and many evolved from former Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Numbered roughly in a clockwise pattern from southeast to northeast, this network has largely preserved its foundational structure since the BERy period despite some mergers and expansions under the Metropolitan Transit Authority and later the MBTA.
Seven routes—, , , , , , and —serve western suburbs including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These lines originated from former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes acquired in 1972 and were reassigned numbers that had previously been retired.
In 2004, fourteen routes—, , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus lines due to their high ridership levels. These routes complement Boston’s subway system by delivering frequent service to densely populated neighborhoods. Beginning with the Bus Network Redesign rollout in 2024, the MBTA is phasing out the key route designation while expanding frequent service across more lines. Routes 28 and 39 utilize articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length.
A set of four early morning round trips operates across several local routes between outlying stations and . These trips primarily serve station agents but are open to all riders; they are internally numbered 191–194 but appear as variants of local routes on schedules.
131–137
The Melrose region is served by routes 131 through 137, which trace their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that the MBTA incorporated in 1968. Under MBTA administration, routes 136 and 137 once extended temporarily to Lowell and Lawrence before being discontinued. Route 132 began as a Service Bus Lines operation prior to the MBTA taking over in 1975.
171
Route 171 functions as a limited early morning replacement for CT3 trips that were curtailed from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series primarily served industrial zones on a temporary basis.
201–202
Established in 1962 by the M.T.A., the "20 belt" loop route originated from former BERy lines. In order to better define service directions, the MBTA divided this loop into two separate routes, 201 and 202, in 2005.
210–245
Serving the Quincy vicinity, routes numbered from 210 to 245 have their roots in Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. These routes underwent modifications following the gradual launch of the Red Line’s Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, with termini shifting to rapid transit stations such as .
| Route
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Description
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MBTA link
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}
350–354
These routes provide service to the Burlington and Woburn regions, originally part of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston corridor. The MBTA took over these lines in 1968 and subsequently shortened the route to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
Covering Lynn and the North Shore, this group includes former Service Bus Lines routes (411, 430) acquired in 1975 alongside primarily Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes obtained in 1968. Two Haymarket-bound routes feature weekend short-turn versions (designated with a W suffix) that conclude at Wonderland.
501–558
These express routes connect Newton with downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established by the MBTA during the 1960s to take advantage of the turnpike's extension into Boston, the 500 series includes routes originating from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines to Newton Corner. These were extended downtown in the 1960s, integrated into the MBTA system in 1972, and truncated back to Newton Corner in 2020.
| Route
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Route Description
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MBTA link
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| 501
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Federal Street & Franklin Street (Financial District)–Brighton Center
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| 504
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Federal Street & Franklin Street (Financial District)–Watertown Yard
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| 505
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Federal Street & Franklin Street (Financial District)–Waltham Center
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| \Roberts\]\]–\{\{bts\|\Newton Corner\}\}
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\553\}\}
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| \554\}\}\\554\\
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\Waverley Square\]\]–\{\{bts\|\Newton Corner\}\}
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\554\}\}
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| \556\}\}\\556\\
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\Newton Corner\}\}
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\556\}\}
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| \558\}\}\\558\\
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\Riverside station\]\]–\{\{bts\|\Newton Corner\}\}
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\558\}\}
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Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial subsidies for suburban routes beyond its standard service boundaries that connect to the MBTA network. Routes 712 through 716 are radial commuter lines originally operated by private companies—specifically, Rapid Transit Inc. managed routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation handled 714, and Hudson Bus Lines operated 716.
Routes without numerical designations serve as local circulators established by municipalities with limited MBTA financial support. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all are run by private contractors.
