The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus system encompasses 151 routes throughout the Boston metro region, seamlessly connecting with MBTA subway lines, Commuter Rail services, and other bus networks. Among these, the MBTA directly manages 147 routes, while private contractors operate four. Furthermore, four suburban transit services receive partial funding support from the MBTA.
Fare structures differ depending on the service type: the majority of local bus routes charge a $1.70 one-way fare (as of 2024), Silver Line waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) adopt the subway fare of $2.40, and express buses impose a premium fare of $4.25 for travel on highway segments. By 2021, service levels had been restored to those prior to the pandemic, though certain routes were not reinstated. Since 2018, a thorough redesign of the bus network has been underway with an anticipated completion date in 2028; initial modifications were implemented in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line operates as a six-route bus rapid transit (BRT) system designed to function similarly to rapid transit. It consists of two main segments: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel and charges subway-equivalent fares, and the Washington Street branch (SL4, SL5), which travels on surface streets with local bus fare pricing. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; those serving the Waterfront routes utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capacity to enable electric operation within the tunnel.
The SL5 route commenced service in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated rail line; the Shuttle began operating in 2004; both SL2 and SL3 started in 2004; SL1 was introduced in 2005 featuring dual-mode buses; and SL4 was launched in 2009 following cancellation of a proposed tunnel extension project. A new SL3 route connecting Chelsea was inaugurated in 2018.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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Two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop service that links major subway stations and key bus transfer hubs. Originally, the MBTA introduced three crosstown routes in 1994; however, CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
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This group encompasses nearly all local transit routes within Boston’s central metropolitan area; many originated as streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway. Numbered roughly in a clockwise fashion from southeast to northeast, these routes extend from South Boston (route 4) to East Boston (route 121). The BERy was absorbed into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947, which later evolved into today’s MBTA in 1964. Despite some consolidations and additions over time, this core network largely remains intact.
Seven specific routes— , , , , , , and —serve western suburbs such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These originated from the MBTA’s acquisition of Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines in 1972 and were subsequently renumbered.
In 2004, fourteen routes—including , , , and —were identified as key bus routes due to their high ridership levels and their role supplementing subway service within densely populated urban neighborhoods. These key routes operated with increased frequency; however, this designation is being phased out beginning in 2024 as part of the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign initiative and replaced by a more extensive frequent route network. Routes 28 and 39 utilize articulated buses measuring 60 feet.
A small number of early morning round trips—four in total—connect outlying stations with , primarily serving station agents but open to all passengers. These trips are internally numbered 191 through 194 and appear as variants of local routes on schedules.
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Routes numbered 131 through 137 operate within the Melrose region, tracing their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. The now-defunct route 136 and the existing route 137 once extended service briefly to Lowell and Lawrence during MBTA oversight. Route 132 was originally managed by Service Bus Lines before transitioning to MBTA control in 1975.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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, serving as a replacement for the former CT3 service that was reduced from Logan in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were brief services catering to industrial zones.
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The number 20 belt route, initially established by the M.T.A. in 1962 from the truncated BERY routes 20 and 21, was renumbered as routes 201 and 202 in 2005 to better indicate the direction of the loop.
Serving the Quincy, Massachusetts vicinity, routes numbered 210 through 245 originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. Following the phased inaugurations of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to primarily terminate at rapid transit stations such as
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
These lines operate within the Burlington and Woburn regions, tracing their origins to the Lowell–Boston corridor of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, which the MBTA acquired in 1968 and subsequently shortened to terminate at Burlington.
Covering Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes incorporate former Service Bus Lines services (411, 430) obtained in 1975, alongside predominantly Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines dating back to 1968. Weekend abbreviated runs, indicated by W, conclude at Wonderland station.
Route
Description
MBTA link
411
Malden Center station–Kennedy Drive or Jack Satter House
These express services provide a direct connection between Newton and downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Introduced during the 1960s to capitalize on the turnpike extension, the 500 series encompasses routes originally operated by the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway before MBTA's 1972 takeover. The 550 series was shortened to Newton Corner in 2020.
Several suburban bus routes outside the MBTA’s primary service region receive partial financial support from the MBTA and provide connections to its transit network. Routes numbered 712 through 716 are commuter lines that were formerly run by private companies such as Rapid Transit Inc., Nantasket Transportation, and Hudson Bus Lines. Other routes without numerical designations serve as local circulators established by municipalities with some level of MBTA funding. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these routes are operated under private contracts.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
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From a page move: This is a redirect from a page that has been moved (renamed). This page was kept as a redirect to avoid breaking links, both internal and external, that may have been made to the old page name.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
