Bus network operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston metropolitan area
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Network| File:MBTA logo.svg MBTA logo |
| Company type | Public transit agency |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area, Massachusetts |
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| Products | Bus services, including local routes, express routes, Silver Line BRT |
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| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority operates its bus network across 151 routes within the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region. Each route provides connections to the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other MBTA bus services. The majority of these routes trace their origins back to historic streetcar lines once run by the Boston Elevated Railway and suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. Of these, 147 routes are managed directly by the MBTA, while four are operated under contracts with private firms. Additionally, four suburban services receive partial financial support from the MBTA.
As of 2024, the standard fare for local bus rides is $1.70 per trip. The Silver Line waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the subway fare of $2.40. Express buses implement a two-tier fare system: passengers pay the local fare for the initial segment and $4.25 for the express highway portion.
Service levels experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic but were mostly reinstated by 2021, although some routes were permanently discontinued. Since 2018, the MBTA has been engaged in a broad redesign of its bus network, with completion anticipated by 2028. The initial phase of these modifications commenced in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line comprises six routes forming a bus rapid transit system promoted as rapid transit service. It consists of two main branches: the Waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which operate through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street services (SL4, SL5), which run along surface streets. Waterfront routes charge fares equivalent to those of the subway, whereas Washington Street routes maintain local bus fare pricing. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; those on Waterfront routes utilize hybrid buses equipped with extended battery capacity to allow electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 began service in 2002 as a replacement for the former Washington Street Elevated. The Shuttle service started in 2004, followed by SL2 and SL3 within the same year; SL1 launched in 2005 featuring dual-mode buses. In 2009, SL4 was introduced to substitute for a canceled Phase III tunnel project. A new SL3 route extending to Chelsea started operating in 2018.
Crosstown
The two existing crosstown (CT) lines provide limited-stop service linking key subway stations and major bus transfer hubs. Originally launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes cover nearly all local transit within the metropolitan core, many tracing their origins back to former Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from southeast to northeast, the network has largely preserved its structure since the BERy period, evolving through the Metropolitan Transit Authority and ultimately becoming part of the MBTA by 1964. Over time, minor consolidations and route additions have taken place.
Seven routes – , , , , , , and – serve western suburban communities such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These lines stem from the 1972 acquisition of Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes and were renumbered to reflect that transition.
In 2004, fourteen routes – including , , , , , , , among others – were identified as key bus routes due to their high ridership. These lines provide frequent service complementing the subway system by connecting Boston's most densely populated neighborhoods. The MBTA’s 2024 Bus Network Redesign is gradually replacing the "key route" designation with a broader frequent route network. Notably, routes 28 and 39 operate with 60-foot articulated buses.
Four early morning round trips (191–194) run between outlying stations and along segments shared with several local routes. Primarily designed for station agents but available to all riders, these trips are variations of regular local services.
(Additional routes continue in a similar manner, offering comprehensive local transit coverage throughout Boston and adjacent suburbs.)
131–137
The Melrose area is served by routes numbered 131 through 137, which originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines incorporated into the MBTA network in 1968. Route 136 (now discontinued) and route 137 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence under MBTA management. Route 132 was initially operated by Service Bus Lines before the MBTA assumed control in 1975.
171
Route 171 functions as a limited early morning substitute for the former CT3 service, which was reduced from Logan Airport service in 2002. Earlier routes in the 170 series primarily provided temporary industrial transit services.
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201–202
Originally formed in 1962 by the M.T.A. from BERY's 20 and 21 stub lines, the 20 belt route was renamed in 2005 as routes 201 and 202 to better distinguish the directions of the loop.
210–245
Covering the Quincy region, routes numbered 210 through 245 trace their origins to Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were absorbed into the MBTA system in 1968. Following the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to conclude service at rapid transit stations, mainly at .
350–354
These routes serve Burlington and Woburn areas, tracing back to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell–Boston line, which the MBTA acquired whole in 1968 before shortening it to terminate in Burlington.
411–465
Serving Lynn and the North Shore region, these routes comprise former Service Bus Lines paths (411 and 430) acquired in 1975, along with others transferred from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway in 1968. Weekend short-turn services, identified by a W suffix, conclude their trips at Wonderland station.
501–558
These express services link Newton with downtown Boston using the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established during the 1960s following the turnpike's extension, the 500 series incorporates former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes (550 series), which were extended downtown and taken over by the MBTA in 1972; however, service was truncated back to Newton Corner in 2020.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial subsidies for suburban bus services beyond its primary network, facilitating connections to MBTA transit. Routes numbered 712 through 716 are commuter lines extending radially and were formerly managed by private companies such as Rapid Transit Inc., Nantasket Transportation, and Hudson Bus Lines. Routes without numerical designations function as municipal circulators with some MBTA financial support; all are operated under private contracts except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is run by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.
| Route
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Description
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Link
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Operator
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BED
Local transit service in Bedford, Massachusetts
Link
Town of Bedford
Cape Ann Transportation Authority (BEV)
Shuttle service within Beverly, Massachusetts
Link
CATA
LEX
Lexpress circulator in Lexington, Massachusetts (4 routes)
Link
Town of Lexington
MIS
LINK service in Mission Hill, Boston
Link
Volunteer-operated
External links
