Bus transit division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Division| Company type | Public transit agency division |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Founded | 1964 |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan region |
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| Products | Bus transit services, including local, express, Silver Line BRT |
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| Parent | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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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 other bus networks. Of these routes, 147 are operated directly by the MBTA, while four are managed by private contractors. Additionally, four suburban transit services receive partial funding support from the MBTA.
The majority of bus routes charge a local fare of $1.70 per one-way trip (2024 rates). However, the Silver Line waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express bus services feature a two-tier fare structure: local sections cost $1.70, whereas express highway portions are priced at $4.25.
Bus operations experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic but had returned to pre-pandemic service levels by 2021, although some routes were eliminated. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking an extensive redesign of its bus network, targeting full implementation by 2028. The initial phase commenced in December 2024 with goals to enhance frequency and optimize route efficiency.
Silver Line
The Silver Line consists of six routes forming a bus rapid transit system promoted as rapid transit service. It includes 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), operating along surface streets. Waterfront routes require payment of the subway fare, while Washington Street routes use the standard bus fare. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length; those on the Waterfront branch are hybrid models equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route replaced the Washington Street Elevated line in 2002; the Shuttle service started in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 also in 2004, with SL1 launching in 2005 using dual-mode buses. The SL4 began service in 2009 after plans for a Phase III tunnel were canceled. A new SL3 route connecting to Chelsea was introduced in 2018.
Crosstown
Two crosstown (CT) services provide limited-stop connections between key subway and bus transfer locations. When first introduced in 1994, there were three crosstown routes; however, CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
Routes 1–121
These routes represent the core local transit network within Boston’s metropolitan center. Many originated as streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway. Arranged approximately clockwise from southeast to northeast, these lines have largely remained consistent since the BERy period and transitioned through the Metropolitan Transit Authority (established 1947) before becoming part of the MBTA in 1964. Some minor lines have been consolidated into main trunk routes, while new lines were added during both M.T.A. and MBTA administrations.
Seven routes—namely , , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These lines trace back to acquisitions made in 1972 from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway and were renumbered using previously retired designations.
Fourteen lines—specifically , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus routes in 2004 due to their high ridership levels. These important corridors complement subway service by offering frequent buses through Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods. Beginning with the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign launched in 2024, the "key bus route" classification is being phased out as frequent service is expanded across more routes. Routes 28 and 39 utilize articulated buses that are 60 feet long.
A set of four early morning round trips (routes 191–194) operate between outer stations and along various local corridors. Though primarily intended for station agents’ use, these trips are open to all passengers and appear as variations of existing local routes in schedules.
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131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 primarily serve the Melrose region and trace their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that became part of the MBTA system in 1968. While route 136 has been discontinued, route 137 once extended briefly to Lowell and Lawrence under MBTA oversight. Route 132 began as a Service Bus Lines operation before transitioning to MBTA control in 1975.
171
Route 171 operates as a limited-frequency substitute for the early morning CT3 service, which was shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were mostly brief services catering to industrial zones.
201–202
The 20 belt route was established by the M.T.A. in 1962, evolving from BERY's original 20 and 21 segments. To better indicate the direction of travel around the loop, it was split into routes 201 and 202 in 2005.
210–245
Routes numbered from 210 to 245 operate within the Quincy vicinity and originate from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes that were absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. Following the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these services were redirected to terminate primarily at rapid transit stations such as .
350–354
These routes operate within the Burlington and Woburn regions, originally part of the Lowell–Boston corridor managed by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA acquired this line in its entirety in 1968 and subsequently shortened service to terminate at Burlington.
411–465
Covering Lynn and the North Shore, these lines include former Service Bus Lines routes (411, 430) acquired in 1975, while most others stem from the 1968 acquisition of Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway services. Certain routes heading to Haymarket provide weekend short-turn options ending at Wonderland.
501–558
These express services link Newton with downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Initiated in the 1960s to capitalize on the turnpike's extension into Boston, the 500 series includes former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes (550 series), which were extended downtown during that decade and incorporated into the MBTA in 1972; in 2020, these were cut back to Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban bus routes beyond its main service zone that connect to the MBTA transit network. Routes 712 through 716 are radial commuter lines that were originally operated by private companies and later acquired by the MBTA (Rapid Transit Inc. managed routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation operated route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines ran route 716).
Routes without assigned numbers serve as local circulators, initiated by municipalities with financial support from the MBTA. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these routes are operated by private contractors.
