The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus division manages 151 routes throughout the metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts area. Every route offers connections to the MBTA subway system, commuter rail lines, or other bus services within the MBTA network. Numerous routes trace their origins back to former streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway and suburban transit providers such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. Of these, the MBTA directly oversees 147 routes, while four are operated by private contractors. Additionally, four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
The standard local fare for most bus trips is $1.70 one way as of 2024. The Silver Line routes serving the waterfront (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the SLW shuttle during peak hours) charge the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express buses have a two-tier fare system: a local segment priced at the regular local fare and an express highway portion costing $4.25 (2024 rates).
Although many service cuts made during the COVID-19 pandemic were reversed by 2021, some routes continue to be suspended. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking an extensive redesign of its bus network, expected to be completed by 2028. The first phase of this overhaul began in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system consisting of six routes and is promoted as a rapid transit option. It includes two main branches: the Waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, plus the rush-hour SLW shuttle) which utilize the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street services (SL4 and SL5), which operate on surface streets. Waterfront routes require payment of subway fares, whereas Washington Street routes charge standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; those on Waterfront routes are hybrid models equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route was introduced in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated line. The SLW shuttle began service in 2004, followed by both SL2 and the original SL3 later that year. SL1 started operating in 2005 using dual-mode buses. After cancellation of the Phase III tunnel project, SL4 was launched in 2009. A new SL3 route extending service to Chelsea commenced operations in 2018.
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The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) bus routes that provide limited-stop service linking key subway stations and major bus transfer hubs. Initially, three crosstown routes were established by the MBTA in 1994; however, CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
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These routes cover almost all local transit within the metropolitan center, with most originally established as streetcar lines by the Boston Elevated Railway. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, this network has largely preserved its original structure since the BERy period, evolving through the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947 and later the MBTA in 1964. Some smaller routes have been consolidated into main trunk lines, while additional routes were introduced during the M.T.A. and MBTA eras.
Seven routes – , , , , , , and – operate in the western suburban areas such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These originate from former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines acquired in 1972 and were reassigned numbers that had previously been retired.
In 2004, fourteen routes – , , , , , , , , , , , , , and – were identified as key bus routes. These high-demand services complement the subway by delivering frequent transit to Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods. Beginning with the MBTA's Bus Network Redesign rollout in 2024, this key bus route classification is being phased out in favor of a more extensive frequent route system. Notably, routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.
There are four early morning round trips connecting outlying stations with over portions of various local routes. Designed primarily for station personnel but accessible to all riders, these runs are internally numbered 191–194 but appear as variants of local routes on schedules.
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Routes numbered 131 through 137 provide service to the Melrose region. These lines trace back to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway operations that were absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. While route 136 has been discontinued, route 137 previously extended briefly to Lowell and Lawrence under MBTA oversight. Route 132 was originally operated by Service Bus Lines before its integration into the MBTA network in 1975.
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Route 171 offers limited service as a substitute for early morning CT3 trips that were shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Earlier routes in the 170 series mainly catered to industrial districts but had brief operational periods.
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The M.T.A. introduced the 20 belt route in 1962 by merging the former 20 and 21 stub lines operated by BERy. To improve clarity regarding travel direction, the MBTA divided this loop into two separate routes, 201 and 202, in 2005.
Routes numbered between 210 and 245 primarily operate within the Quincy region. These lines originated from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes that were integrated into the MBTA system in 1968. With the gradual launch of the Red Line Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these services were adjusted to terminate mainly at rapid transit stations, particularly .
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These routes serve the Burlington and Woburn communities, tracing back to the Lowell–Boston line once operated by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. After acquisition by the MBTA in 1968, this line was eventually shortened to terminate in Burlington.
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Covering Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes include former Service Bus Lines (411, 430) acquired in 1975 as well as lines from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway obtained in 1968. On weekends, shortened versions of these routes, identified by a W suffix, conclude at Wonderland station.
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|-
|- | 450 | Salem Depot – | |-
|- | 450W | Salem Depot – Wonderland station | |-
|- | 451 | North Beverly station – Salem Depot | |-
|- | 455 | Salem Depot – Wonderland station | |-
|- | 456 | Salem Depot – Central Square, Lynn | |-
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501–558
These express services provide direct connections between Newton, Massachusetts and downtown Boston utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established in the 1960s alongside the extension of the turnpike into Boston, the MBTA introduced the 500 series routes. The 550 series evolved from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines serving Newton Corner station, which were extended downtown during the 1960s and incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972; however, these routes were shortened back to Newton Corner in 2020.
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route
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Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for certain suburban bus routes beyond its main service zone that connect with MBTA subway, bus, or commuter rail lines. Radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716 were formerly run by private companies and later incorporated into the MBTA system: Rapid Transit Inc. operated routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation managed route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines ran route 716.
Unnumbered services function as local circulator buses established by municipalities with some financial support from the MBTA. These routes are mostly managed by private contractors, with the exception of the Beverly Shuttle, which is operated by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.
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