Bus network serving the Boston metropolitan area operated by the MBTA
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 region |
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| Products | Bus services, including Silver Line bus rapid transit |
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| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/schedules/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus network comprises 151 routes serving the Boston metropolitan region. These routes integrate with the MBTA's subway system, Commuter Rail, and other bus lines. Many of the current bus lines trace their origins to former streetcar operations once managed by the Boston Elevated Railway or suburban companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. Of these routes, the MBTA directly manages 147, while four are operated by private contractors. Additionally, four suburban routes receive partial financial support from the MBTA.
As of 2024, passengers pay a one-way fare of $1.70 for local buses. The Silver Line's waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) require the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express bus services apply a two-tiered fare structure: a local segment at the regular bus rate and an express highway portion costing $4.25.
Although service experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, most routes were reinstated by 2021, with some discontinued permanently. Since 2018, the MBTA has been developing an extensive redesign of its bus network, targeting full implementation by 2028. The first phase of this overhaul began in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line operates as a six-route bus rapid transit system promoted as rapid transit service. It consists of two main segments: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, plus the rush-hour SLW shuttle), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel; and the Washington Street branch (SL4, SL5), which operates on surface streets. Fares on Waterfront routes align with subway pricing, whereas Washington Street routes charge regular bus fares. All vehicles used on Silver Line routes are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; Waterfront buses are hybrids equipped with extended battery capacity to allow electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route commenced in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated line. The SLW shuttle service began in 2004, followed by SL2 and a prior version of SL3 that same year; SL1 started in 2005 using dual-mode buses. The SL4 route launched in 2009 after plans for a tunnel extension were canceled. A new SL3 route connecting Chelsea opened in 2018.
Crosstown
The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes that provide limited-stop service linking key subway stations and major bus transfer hubs. Originally introduced in 1994 with three routes, one of these—CT1—was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These lines constitute the primary local transit framework within Boston's central metropolitan region, with many tracing their origins to former Boston Elevated Railway streetcar routes. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, this system has largely preserved its structure since the BERy period, notwithstanding several consolidations and expansions during the M.T.A. and MBTA administrations.
A group of seven routes—, , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes evolved from services acquired from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972 and were assigned numbers previously retired.
In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus corridors due to their high ridership. These routes provide frequent service that complements the subway system by connecting Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods. Starting in 2024, the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign is replacing the "key route" designation with a more extensive frequent route classification. Routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.
Four early morning round trips, numbered 191–194, operate between outlying stations and over segments of various local routes. Although primarily designed for station personnel, these trips are accessible to all riders.
... [routes list truncated for brevity] ...
131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve the Melrose vicinity, originating from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA in 1968. The now-defunct routes 136 and 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence during MBTA oversight. Route 132 began as a Service Bus Lines operation prior to its transition to MBTA management in 1975.
171
Route 171 provides a limited early morning service that replaced the CT3 route following its reduction from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were temporary industrial shuttle services.
201–202
Originally established by the M.T.A. in 1962 as the 20 belt route—formed from BERy's former 20 and 21 route fragments—this service was rebranded in 2005 into routes 201 and 202 to better indicate travel direction around the Fields Corner Loop.
210–245
The 210 through 245 bus routes operate within the Quincy, Massachusetts region and originate from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that the MBTA took over in 1968. Following the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to end at newly established rapid transit stations, mainly .
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350–354
Serving Burlington and Woburn, these routes trace their roots to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston corridor, which the MBTA acquired in 1968. Over time, the line was shortened to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
Operating primarily in Lynn and the North Shore region, these routes include former Service Bus Lines routes (411 and 430) acquired in 1975, alongside others inherited from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway in 1968. Certain routes heading toward Haymarket provide weekend short-turn services that conclude at Wonderland station.
501–558
These express bus routes provide service between Newton and downtown Boston, utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established by the MBTA during the 1960s to take advantage of the turnpike's extension, the 500 series includes routes that were initially operated by the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway—known as the 550 series—which were extended into downtown Boston during the same decade and later integrated into MBTA's network in 1972. In 2020, these routes were truncated to terminate once again at Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for several suburban commuter routes outside its primary service boundaries that interface with MBTA transit. Routes numbered 712 through 716 were originally operated by private companies such as Rapid Transit Inc. (712/713), Nantasket Transportation (714), and Hudson Bus Lines (716), before being incorporated under MBTA support. Furthermore, local circulator services initiated by municipalities with MBTA collaboration are run by private contractors, with the exception of the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.
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