43 (MBTA bus)
| Company type | Bus route |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Predecessor | Streetcar line |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
Area served | Boston, Massachusetts area |
| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
Route 43 is a bus line serving the Boston, Massachusetts area, managed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) as an element of the MBTA bus network. This route travels southwestward from Boston's downtown along Tremont Street, terminating at the Ruggles bus terminal, which also provides a connection to the Orange Line. Historically, it was the final streetcar line to operate via the once-exposed Pleasant Street incline, now covered, before transitioning to bus service. Prior to the inauguration of the relocated southern Orange Line along the Southwest Corridor in May 1987, Route 43 continued its path down Tremont Street and Columbus Avenue reaching Egleston on the former Washington Street Elevated.
History
The tracks on Tremont Street and Columbus Avenue were constructed in 1857 by the West Roxbury Railroad to connect downtown Boston with Jamaica Plain, as part of what is now known as the Green Line "E" branch. This alignment utilized Tremont and Columbus from downtown up to Centre Street. Two years later, in 1859, an extension branched westward along Tremont Street toward Brookline, which eventually became incorporated into route 66.
The Tremont Street subway commenced operations on October 1, 1897, reaching the four-track Pleasant Street incline, with its two western tracks continuing south along Tremont Street. Between June 10, 1901, and November 29, 1908, the Main Line Elevated utilized this incline to enter the subway, temporarily suspending streetcar operations on the Tremont Street surface. This arrangement ended once the Elevated secured its dedicated tunnel beneath Washington Street. After 1888, track extensions beyond Egleston were completed.
Following March 1, 1953, when service to City Point was discontinued, Route 43 was rerouted to use eastern tracks to accommodate a new bus transfer facility located on the western tracks. Service operated to North Station, employing its lower-level loop for turning. The final streetcar run to Egleston occurred on June 14, 1956; subsequent service was truncated to Lenox Street with a bus substituting between Lenox and Egleston. Bus service to Lenox ceased on November 19, 1961; thereafter buses were extended north beyond the Pleasant Street incline to Boylston. A shuttle service using double-ended PCC streetcars operated between the portal and Boylston until April 5, 1962.
On February 26, 1966, Route 43’s terminus was cut back to Stuart Street due to closure of Tremont Street. This endpoint remained until June 1972 when service was extended northward around Boston Common to reach Park Street. With the opening of the Southwest Corridor Orange Line in May 1987, Route 43’s southern terminus was shortened to Ruggles, while routes and took over service between Ruggles and Egleston.