442 (MBTA bus)

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Network

Company type	Public transit agency
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	1964
Headquarters	Boston, Massachusetts , United States
Area served	Boston metropolitan region
Products	Bus services, bus rapid transit (Silver Line)
Owner	Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Website	www.mbta.com/bus

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates its bus network across 151 routes within the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region, providing connections to the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, and other MBTA bus lines. Many of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar services once managed by the Boston Elevated Railway and suburban operators such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA directly manages 147 of these routes, while four are run by private contractors, and an additional four suburban routes receive partial MBTA funding.

As of 2024, the standard local bus fare is $1.70 for a one-way trip. The Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) charge the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express bus routes include a local section priced at the local fare and an express segment on highways costing $4.25.

Bus operations experienced interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic but had mostly resumed pre-pandemic service levels by 2021, although some routes remain inactive. Since 2018, the MBTA has been engaged in a comprehensive bus network redesign initiative anticipated to conclude in 2028, with initial modifications commencing in December 2024.

Silver Line

The Silver Line comprises six routes forming a bus rapid transit system that is promoted as rapid transit. It consists of two main branches: the Waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which traverse the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street services (SL4, SL5), which operate on surface streets. Waterfront routes require payment of subway fares, whereas Washington Street routes charge regular bus fares. All Silver Line buses are articulated 60-foot vehicles; those on Waterfront routes are hybrid models equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within tunnels.

The SL5 route replaced the former Washington Street Elevated line in 2002. The Shuttle service started in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 also launching that year. SL1 began operating in 2005 utilizing dual-mode buses. After a Phase III tunnel plan was cancelled, SL4 was introduced in 2009. A new SL3 route connecting to Chelsea opened in 2018.

Route	Description	MBTA link
SL1	Connects Logan Airport terminals to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL2	Runs between Drydock Avenue and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL3	Service from REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SLW	Operates between REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system and REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL4	Links REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system with South Station	Template:MBTA bus EL
SL5	Connects REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system (Temple Place)	Template:MBTA bus EL

Crosstown

Two crosstown (CT) lines provide limited-stop service that links key subway and bus transfer hubs. Initially, three routes were launched in 1994; however, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.

}

1–121

These routes primarily cover local transit within the metropolitan center, many of which trace their origins back to Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to northeast, these routes have largely persisted since the BERy period, despite some consolidations and expansions during the Metropolitan Transit Authority and MBTA administrations.

Seven routes— , , , , , , and —operate in western suburban areas including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These lines were inherited from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway following its acquisition in 1972.

In 2004, fourteen routes—such as , , , , , among others—were identified as key bus routes due to their significant ridership and frequent service that supports densely populated urban neighborhoods. The MBTA's Bus Network Redesign initiative beginning in 2024 is retiring this classification while broadening the network of frequent routes. Notably, routes 28 and 39 utilize 60-foot articulated buses.

A total of four early morning round trips operate between peripheral stations and , primarily intended for station personnel but accessible to all riders. These are internally numbered 191–194 and are listed as variants of local routes in official schedules.

Route	Description	MBTA link
CT2	Runs from REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
CT3	Connects Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

Route	Description	MBTA link
1	Harvard Square– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
4	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system –Marine Park	Template:MBTA bus EL
7	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system –Otis Street & Summer Street	Template:MBTA bus EL

131–137

Serving the Melrose vicinity, routes 131 through 137 originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. Routes 136 (now discontinued) and 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence during MBTA oversight. Route 132 was initially operated by Service Bus Lines prior to MBTA’s takeover in 1975.

Route	Description	MBTA link
131	Melrose Highlands– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system or REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
132	Redstone Shopping Center– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
134	North Woburn– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
137	Reading Depot– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

171

Route 171 operates as a limited-service line that replaced the early morning CT3 route after its Logan Airport segment was discontinued in 2002. Other routes numbered in the 170s primarily served industrial zones and were generally short-lived.

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

201–202

The original 20 belt route was established by the M.T.A. in 1962, evolving from BERy’s former stub routes numbered 20 and 21. In 2005, it was split into two separate designations—routes 201 and 202—to better distinguish the opposing loop directions.

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

The Quincy region is served by routes numbered 210 through 245, which originated from the 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 connect with rapid transit stations, predominantly .

Route	Description	MBTA link
210	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
211	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system –Squantum	Template:MBTA bus EL
215	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system via West Quincy	Template:MBTA bus EL
216	Houghs Neck– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system via Germantown	Template:MBTA bus EL
217	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
220	Hingham, Massachusetts#Hingham Depot– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
222	Weymouth, Massachusetts#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	Weymouth, Massachusetts#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#Avon Square – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL	-	245	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system – REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

350–354

Serving the Burlington and Woburn locales, routes 350 through 354 trace their lineage back to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell–Boston corridor, which the MBTA inherited in 1968 before scaling back service to Burlington.

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

411–465

Operating across Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes include former Service Bus Lines services (411 and 430), which were acquired in 1975, alongside primarily Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed in 1968. Weekend short-turn versions with a W suffix conclude at Wonderland station.

Route	Description	MBTA link
411	Kennedy Drive or Jack Satter House– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
424	Eastern Avenue & Essex Street– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
426	Central Square, Lynn– REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
426W	Central Square, Lynn–Wonderland station	Template:MBTA bus EL

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

> Route	> Description	> MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

Route	Description	MBTA link

- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | -| }

501–558

These express bus routes provide a connection between Newton and downtown Boston, utilizing the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The MBTA launched the 500 series during the 1960s to take advantage of the newly extended turnpike. The 550 series has its origins in former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines that ran to Newton Corner; these routes were extended into downtown Boston in the 1960s and later incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972. In 2020, service was shortened back to terminate at Newton Corner.

Route	Description	MBTA link
Template:MBTABus	Brighton Center to Federal Street & Franklin Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
Template:MBTABus	REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system to Federal Street & Franklin Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
505	Waltham Center to Federal Street & Franklin Street	Template:MBTA bus EL
553	Roberts to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
554	Waverley Square to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
556	Waltham Highlands to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
558	Riverside station to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL

Privately operated routes

Beyond the MBTA's primary service zones, certain suburban routes receive partial MBTA funding while linking with MBTA transit services. The radial commuter lines numbered 712 through 716 originated from private operators: Rapid Transit Inc. managed routes 712 and 713; Nantasket Transportation operated route 714; and Hudson Bus Lines ran route 716.

Local circulator services without route numbers are initiated by local governments and receive some MBTA financial assistance. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is run by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these services are operated under private contracts.

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	Pemberton Point, Hull to Station Street, Hingham	Template:MBTA bus EL	DPV Transportation
716	Cobbs Corner to REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system	Template:MBTA bus EL
BED	Local transit service in Bedford, Massachusetts	Link	Town of Bedford
(CATA) BEV	City shuttle serving Beverly, Massachusetts	Link	CATA
LEX	Lexpress system (four routes) in Lexington, Massachusetts	Link	Town of Lexington
MIS	LINK service in Mission Hill, Boston	Link	Volunteers

External links

• MBTA – Bus timetables and route maps