42 (MBTA bus)

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Division

Company type	Public transit agency division
Industry	Public transportation
Predecessor	Boston Elevated Railway, Metropolitan Transit Authority, Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, Middlesex and Boston Street Railway, Service Bus Lines
Founded	1964
Headquarters	Boston , United States
Area served	Boston metropolitan region
Products	Bus services, including local bus routes, bus rapid transit (Silver Line), express buses, crosstown routes
Owner	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
Website	www.mbta.com

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus division manages 151 routes within the Boston metropolitan region, providing connections to MBTA subway lines, Commuter Rail, and other bus networks. Many of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar lines or suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts and Middlesex and Boston Street Railways. Of the total, the MBTA directly oversees 147 routes, while four are operated by private contractors, alongside four additional suburban services receiving partial MBTA funding.

As of 2024, the fare for local bus rides is $1.70 per one-way trip. The Silver Line waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express buses charge a local fare for segments within city limits and an express fare of $4.25 for highway travel. By 2021, service frequencies had been restored to levels seen before the pandemic, although some lines remain inactive. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking a comprehensive redesign of its bus network, with full implementation anticipated by 2028; initial modifications commenced in December 2024.

Silver Line

The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit system comprising six routes and is promoted as a rapid transit option. It includes two main branches: 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. The Waterfront routes require subway fares, whereas Washington Street routes charge regular bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; Waterfront services utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capacity to enable electric operation within tunnels.

The SL5 route replaced the Washington Street Elevated line in 2002. The SLW shuttle started service in 2004, followed by the introduction of SL2 and the original SL3 later that year. The SL1 began operating in 2005 with dual-mode buses capable of both diesel and electric propulsion. The SL4 was launched in 2009 after plans for a Phase III tunnel were abandoned. A new SL3 route connecting Chelsea to South Station opened in 2018.

Route	Description	MBTA link
SL1	Logan Airport terminals to South Station	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL2	Drydock Avenue to South Station	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL3	Chelsea to South Station	Template:MBTA bus EL
SLW	Silver Line Way to South Station	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL4	Nubian station to South Station	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL5	Nubian station to Downtown Crossing (Temple Place)	Template:MBTA bus EL

Crosstown

The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop service linking major subway stations and bus transfer points throughout the city. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.

Route	Description	MBTA link
CT2	From REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
CT3	Between Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

Routes 1–121

These routes cover nearly all local transit services within Boston's metropolitan core and largely descend from former Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. The Boston Elevated Railway was absorbed into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947, which later became the MBTA in 1964. Although there have been some route consolidations and additions over time, much of this original network remains intact.

Seven routes— , , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These originated from lines acquired from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972 and were renumbered using previously discontinued designations.

In 2004, fourteen routes— , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus routes due to their high ridership levels. These lines complement subway service by offering frequent trips through Boston’s most densely populated areas. Beginning in 2024, the MBTA is transitioning from the key bus route framework toward a broader frequent route network. Notably, routes 28 and 39 operate with 60-foot articulated buses.

Additionally, four early morning round-trip services (191–194) connect distant stations via segments of multiple local routes. These trips primarily serve station agents but are available to all passengers and are listed as variants of local routes in schedules.

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Route	Description	MBTA link
1	From Harvard Square to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
4	Between REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system and Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park	Template:MBTA bus EL

131–137

The Melrose region is served by routes numbered 131 through 137, which originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that the MBTA acquired in 1968. Under MBTA operation, routes 136 and 137 once extended briefly to Lowell and Lawrence before being discontinued. Initially, Service Bus Lines managed route 132 until the MBTA assumed control in 1975.

Route	Description	MBTA link
131	From Melrose Highlands to either REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system or REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
132	Connecting Redstone Shopping Center with REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
134	Linking North Woburn to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
137	Running between Reading Depot and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

171

Route 171 operates limited service, substituting early morning CT3 trips that were shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series have historically provided temporary service to industrial districts.

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

201–202

The 20 belt route, originally established by the M.T.A. in 1962 as a continuation of BERY's former routes, was rebranded in 2005 as routes 201 and 202. This change was intended to better distinguish the directional flows around the Fields Corner Loop.

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

210–245

Operating mainly within Quincy, routes numbered 210 through 245 have their roots in Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that became part of the MBTA system in 1968. Following the gradual launch of the Red Line’s Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to terminate at rapid transit stations such as .

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

350–354

These lines operate within the Burlington and Woburn regions, originally part of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell to Boston corridor, which the MBTA took over in 1968 and subsequently truncated to Burlington.

Route	Description	MBTA link
350	Alewife station–North Burlington	Template:MBTA bus EL
351	Third Avenue–Bedford Woods Drive	Template:MBTA bus EL
354	State Street, Boston–North Burlington	Template:MBTA bus EL

411–465

Serving Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes incorporate former Service Bus Lines routes (411, 430) acquired in 1975 along with Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes obtained in 1968. Several routes heading to Haymarket feature weekend short-turn services that end at Wonderland.

Route	Description	MBTA link
411	Malden Center station–Kennedy Drive or Jack Satter House	Template:MBTA bus EL
424	Wonderland station–Eastern Avenue & Essex Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
426	Haymarket station–Central Square, Lynn	Template:MBTA bus EL
426W	Wonderland station–Central Square, Lynn (weekend short-turn)	Template:MBTA bus EL
428	Haymarket station–Oaklandvale	Template:MBTA bus EL
429	Central Square, Lynn–Northgate Shopping Center	Template:MBTA bus EL
430	Malden Center station–Saugus Center	Template:MBTA bus EL
435	Central Square, Lynn via Peabody Square–Salem Depot	Template:MBTA bus EL
436	Central Square, Lynn via Goodwin Circle–Liberty Tree Mall	Template:MBTA bus EL
439	Wonderland station–Nahant	Template:MBTA bus EL
441	Wonderland station via Paradise Road–Marblehead	Template:MBTA bus EL
442	Wonderland station via Humphrey Street–Marblehead	Template:MBTA bus EL

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

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Route	Description	MBTA link

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Route	Description	MBTA link

501–558

These express bus routes provide a direct connection between Newton and downtown Boston, utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Originating in the 1960s to capitalize on the turnpike's expansion, the 500 series includes routes initially operated by the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway, such as the 550 series. These routes were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972 and were shortened to terminate at Newton Corner in 2020.

Route	Route Description	MBTA Link
Template:MBTABus	Service between Brighton Center and Federal Street & Franklin Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
Template:MBTABus	Runs from REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to Federal Street & Franklin Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
505	Connects Waltham Center with Federal Street & Franklin Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
553	Route from Roberts to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
554	Service linking Waverley Square and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
556	Runs between Waltham Highlands and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
558	Connects Riverside station with REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

Privately operated routes

The MBTA provides partial subsidies for several suburban routes extending beyond its primary service boundaries that link with MBTA transit lines. The radial commuter routes numbered 712 through 716 were originally operated by private companies—Rapid Transit Inc. (routes 712/713), Nantasket Transportation (714), and Hudson Bus Lines (716)—and later integrated into the MBTA network.

In addition, various local circulator services without route numbers are initiated by municipalities with partial financial support from the MBTA. These services are predominantly run under private contracts, except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is operated by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.

Route	Description	MBTA Link	Operator
Template:MBTABus	Point Shirley, Winthrop to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system via Revere Street	Template:MBTA bus EL	Paul Revere Transportation
Template:MBTABus	Point Shirley, 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	Template:MBTA bus EL

Route Code	Service Name	Website Link	Operating Entity

BED	Bedford, Massachusetts Local Transit	Link	Town of Bedford

BEV	Beverly, Massachusetts Shuttle Service	Link	CATA

LEX	Lexington, Massachusetts Lexpress (comprising four routes)	Link	Town of Lexington

MIS	Mission Hill, Boston LINK service	Link	Volunteers

External links

• MBTA – Bus timetables and route maps