Adapted from the English Wikipedia article 556 (MBTA bus), available under CC BY-SA 4.0·Updated 7 August 2025
Public bus transit division serving the Boston metropolitan area
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, Rapid Transit Inc., Nantasket Transportation, Hudson Bus Lines
Founded
1964
Headquarters
Boston
,
United States
Area served
Boston metropolitan area
Products
Bus transit services (151 routes including Silver Line, local, express, crosstown)
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus division manages 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region, providing connections to MBTA subway lines, Commuter Rail services, and additional bus networks. Many of these routes have origins in former streetcar lines or independent suburban operators 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 and another four are suburban services partially subsidized by the MBTA.
As of 2024, the fare for local bus rides is set at $1.70 per trip. The Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express bus routes include a local segment charged at the local fare and an express highway segment costing $4.25. Although many service interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were resolved by 2021, certain routes remain inactive. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking a comprehensive redesign of its bus network, with completion anticipated by 2028; initial modifications began in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line consists of six bus rapid transit routes promoted as rapid transit alternatives. It operates two main branches: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW shuttle), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street service (SL4, SL5), which travels on surface streets. Fares for Waterfront routes align with subway pricing, whereas Washington Street routes charge standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; those on Waterfront routes utilize hybrid models equipped with extended battery capabilities to operate electrically within tunnels.
The SL5 route replaced the Washington Street Elevated line in 2002. The SLW shuttle commenced operations in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 in the same year; SL1 was introduced in 2005 using dual-mode buses. The SL4 route launched in 2009 after plans for a tunnel extension were canceled. In 2018, a new SL3 route connecting to Chelsea was inaugurated.
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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.
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.
When appropriate, protection levels are automatically sensed, described and categorized.
This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect:
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.
The MBTA operates two crosstown bus routes designated as CT that provide limited-stop service linking major subway stations and bus transfer hubs. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
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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.
These routes constitute the primary local bus network across the metropolitan area, many tracing their origins to former Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines. The BERy was incorporated into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947 and later reorganized as the MBTA in 1964. Although some routes have been consolidated or added over time, much of this foundational network remains intact.
Seven routes—specifically , , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These originated from the acquisition of Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines in 1972 and were subsequently renumbered.
In 2004, fourteen routes—such as , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key corridors due to their significant ridership levels and their function supplementing subway service within densely populated urban areas. These routes generally maintain higher frequency schedules. The ongoing Bus Network Redesign starting in 2024 is phasing out this classification while expanding frequent service across more routes. Notably, routes 28 and 39 utilize articulated buses measuring 60 feet.
Additionally, four early morning round trips (routes 191–194) connect peripheral stations to over several local routes. Originally intended for station staff but open to all passengers, these trips are listed as variants of local routes in official timetables.
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Routes numbered 131 through 137 primarily operate within the Melrose vicinity, tracing their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. While route 137 still runs, both it and the now-defunct 136 briefly extended service to Lowell and Lawrence during MBTA oversight. Route 132 was initially managed by Service Bus Lines before transitioning to MBTA control in 1975.
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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.
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.
Route 171 functions as a limited service line that replaced the early morning CT3 route, which was shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were transient industrial shuttle services.
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The original route 20 belt was created in 1962 by combining BERY's routes 20 and 21. In 2005, this belt line was split into routes 201 and 202 to better distinguish the loop directions around Fields Corner.
The routes from 210 to 245 mainly serve Quincy, stemming from Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. As the Red Line's Braintree Branch opened in phases during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to 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.
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.
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.
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.
This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect:
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.
This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect:
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.
This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect:
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.
Runs between {{bts{Quincy Center station}} and {{bts{Mattapan station}
{{MBTA bus EL{245}
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn regions, these lines trace their origins to the Lowell–Boston route of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, which the MBTA took over in 1968 before eventually shortening it to Burlington.
Operating across Lynn and the North Shore, this group incorporates former Service Bus Lines routes (411, 430) acquired in 1975, along with Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes transferred in 1968. Weekend service to Haymarket features shorter trips marked with a W suffix that end at Wonderland.
Route
Description
MBTA link
411
Kennedy Drive or Jack Satter House–Malden Center station
These express services link Newton with downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Introduced in the 1960s alongside the turnpike expansion, the MBTA's 500 series capitalized on this new infrastructure. The 550 series evolved from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes serving Newton Corner, extended into downtown during the 1960s and incorporated by the MBTA in 1972. In 2020, these routes were truncated back to Newton Corner.
Route
Description
MBTA link
501
Brighton Center–Federal Street & Franklin Street (Financial District, Boston)
The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban routes located outside its primary service region that connect with MBTA transit options. Routes numbered 712 through 716 are radial commuter lines that were previously operated by private companies and later acquired: Rapid Transit Inc. manages routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation operates route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines runs route 716.
Municipally initiated local circulator services, which appear on MBTA maps without numerical designations, receive some MBTA financial support. Except for the Beverly Shuttle—managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority—these services are all 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.
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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.
This page is a redirect. The following categories are used to track and monitor this redirect:
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.
