Bus network operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Network| Company type | Public transportation |
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| Industry | Public transit |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area, Massachusetts |
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| Products | Bus services, including local bus routes, express routes, Silver Line BRT |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/schedules/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's bus network encompasses 151 routes serving the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region, linking with MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, and other MBTA bus lines. A majority of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar corridors operated by the Boston Elevated Railway or suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. Of these, 147 routes are managed directly by the MBTA, while four are contracted out to private operators. Additionally, four suburban transit services receive partial financial support from the MBTA.
As of 2024, the fare for local bus trips is $1.70 per ride, whereas the Silver Line waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) charge the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express bus services feature a dual fare structure: passengers pay the local fare for travel within local zones and an additional $4.25 for express segments on highways.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, service levels were curtailed but were fully reinstated to their previous extent by 2021, accompanied by some route modifications. Since 2018, the MBTA has been engaged in planning a comprehensive redesign of its bus network, anticipated to be finalized by 2028. The initial phase of this overhaul commenced in December 2024, targeting enhanced route efficiency and increased frequency.
Silver Line
The Silver Line operates as a six-route bus rapid transit system promoted as a rapid transit option. It consists of two main service types: Waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW shuttle) that run through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and charge subway fares, and Washington Street routes (SL4, SL5) that operate on surface streets with local bus fares. All Silver Line buses are articulated 60-foot vehicles; those on Waterfront routes are hybrid models capable of electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route replaced the former Washington Street Elevated line in 2002. The Shuttle service was introduced in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 also in 2004, with SL1 launching in 2005 using dual-mode buses. The SL4 began service in 2009 after plans for a tunnel extension were canceled. In 2018, a new SL3 route connecting Chelsea was inaugurated.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) lines offer limited-stop service that connects key subway stations and bus transfer points across the system. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, one of these—CT1—was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes provide nearly all local transit service within the metropolitan core, many of which originated as streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway. Arranged approximately in a clockwise pattern from southeast to northeast, this network has largely persisted since the BERy period, with only minor route mergers and additions occurring during the M.T.A. and MBTA eras.
Seven lines—, , , , , , and —operate in western suburban areas such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes trace their origins to services acquired from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972.
In 2004, fourteen routes—, , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus lines due to their high ridership. These frequently scheduled services complement the subway by connecting Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods. Beginning in 2024, the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign is phasing out the "key route" classification in favor of a comprehensive frequent route network. Notably, routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.
Four early morning round trips (191–194) link outlying stations to via segments of several local routes. These trips primarily serve station agents but are available to all passengers.
... [list truncated for brevity] ...
131–137
The Melrose area is served by routes 131 through 137, which originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. Routes 136 (now discontinued) and 137 once extended briefly to Lowell and Lawrence under MBTA operation. Prior to MBTA management beginning in 1975, route 132 was operated by Service Bus Lines.
171
Route 171 provides limited service as a replacement for the early morning CT3 route, which was shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were short-term services catering to industrial zones.
201–202
Originally formed by the M.T.A. in 1962 from BERy’s stub routes numbered 20 and 21, the 20 belt route was redesignated in 2005 as routes 201 and 202 to distinguish the loop directions more clearly.
210–245
Routes numbered 210 through 245 operate in the Quincy region and originate from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were integrated into the MBTA system in 1968. With the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these bus routes were adjusted to connect directly with rapid transit stations, predominantly terminating at .
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn areas, routes 350 to 354 trace their origins to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston route, which was transferred to the MBTA in 1968 and subsequently shortened to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
Operating throughout Lynn and the North Shore region, these routes encompass former Service Bus Lines routes (411, 430) acquired in 1975, alongside primarily Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed in 1968. Two routes heading toward Haymarket include weekend short-turn variants designated with a W suffix that terminate at Wonderland.
501–558
These express bus routes provide service between Newton and downtown Boston by way of the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Originating in the 1960s to take advantage of the turnpike's extension, the 500 series incorporates former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines (the 550 series) that were extended into downtown during that period and absorbed into MBTA operations by 1972. In 2020, the 550 routes were truncated to terminate at Newton Corner once again.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban routes located beyond its primary coverage area that link with MBTA transit services. Radial commuter lines numbered 712 through 716 were acquired from private companies (Rapid Transit Inc. operates 712/713, Nantasket Transportation runs 714, and Hudson Bus Lines manages 716). Additionally, local circulator services without route numbers are municipally established with MBTA assistance and managed by private contractors, except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is operated by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.
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