77 (MBTA bus)

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
Company type	Public agency
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	August 3, 1964; 62 years ago
Headquarters	Boston, United States
Area served	Greater Boston area, Massachusetts, United States
Products	Bus, subway, commuter rail, ferry services
Website	mbta.com

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article 77 (MBTA bus), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 7 August 2025

Primary bus routes of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) consisted of 15 high-demand lines that adhered to enhanced frequency benchmarks as outlined in the 2004 MBTA Service Policy. Collectively, these routes represented roughly 40% of the MBTA’s overall bus ridership. They offered vital coverage across Boston’s most densely populated neighborhoods and linked seamlessly with other MBTA transit modes, supporting broader regional connectivity.

Designated as a fundamental element of the MBTA’s network, these primary bus routes were prominently displayed on updated transit maps within subway stations and public venues alongside rapid transit and commuter rail services. They served as focal points for service enhancements—including experimental late-night operations—and have been extensively examined in urban planning and transit engineering research. Starting in 2024, the MBTA began transitioning away from the key route label toward a more inclusive high-frequency route framework as part of its Bus Network Redesign initiative.

History

The MBTA launched an initiative in November 2006 aimed at improving service standards on its primary bus routes. The 2008 Service Plan advocated for upgrades such as elevating the 31 bus line to meet key route criteria. A subsequent phase, the $10 million Key Routes Improvement Project, was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Although initially incorporating Silver Line services—which were later managed independently—this project concluded in 2013 without completing all intended enhancements. By June 2017, service punctuality on key routes outperformed other lines, with 75% adherence to scheduled frequencies compared to 61%.

A study conducted in 2012 revealed that living near a primary bus route was associated with a decrease in taxi trip generation, suggesting these frequent routes effectively serve as alternatives to taxi travel.

In April 2014, extended late-night operations commenced on key bus and rapid transit lines under a one-year pilot program dependent on ridership levels and sponsorship support. However, by April 2015, late-night service was scaled back and eliminated on five key routes; all such overnight services were discontinued by March 2016.

Key bus routes were integral to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s "Go Boston 2030" plan, which aimed for every residence to be within a ten-minute walk of either a T station or a key bus stop. This plan also proposed introducing a new key route linking the Longwood Medical Area with JFK/UMass via Roxbury.

In May 2022, the MBTA unveiled a draft Bus Network Redesign proposal recommending modifications to most primary routes while upgrading several others to create a comprehensive high-frequency network designed to complement rapid transit services. An updated version of this plan was released in November 2022.

Key routes criteria

According to the MBTA's Service Delivery Policy, inclusion in the Key Bus Routes program requires meeting five specific criteria:

Elevated ridership demand
Integration within the transit system
Extensive geographic reach
Support for significant new developments
Operation as bus rapid transit

Policy standards

Primary routes are subject to stricter requirements regarding service hours and frequency compared to standard local lines. The following tables summarize these minimum standards.

Route Type	Minimum Service Span
Local	Weekdays	7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
	Saturdays	8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
	Sundays	10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Key	Weekdays	6:00 AM – Midnight
	Saturdays	6:00 AM – Midnight
	Sundays	7:00 AM – Midnight

Route Type	Minimum Service Frequency
Local	Peak periods (AM & PM)	Every 30 minutes
	Off-peak times	Every 60 minutes
	Weekends (Saturday & Sunday)	Every 60 minutes
Key	Peak periods (AM & PM)	Every 10 minutes
	Midday hours	Every 15 minutes
	Evenings and weekends	Every 20 minutes

Route list

The MBTA has designated 15 principal routes within its network: 1, 15, 22, 23, 28, 32, 39, 57, 66, 71, 73, 77, 111, 116, and 117. These corridors have drawn interest from policymakers and community members advocating for limited-stop or express services aimed at improving operational efficiency and addressing substantial ridership demand.

1

The 1 Harvard Square–Nubian Station line links Cambridge with Roxbury and was created in September 1962 by combining two routes that previously split at Massachusetts Avenue (currently Hynes Convention Center): the 76 Harvard–Massachusetts station and the 47 Massachusetts station–Dudley route. In May 1987, the alignment shifted from Washington Street southeastward to Albany Street and Melnea Cass Boulevard to provide service to Boston Medical Center. The corridor primarily follows Massachusetts Avenue, beginning at Harvard, passing the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, crossing the Charles River via the Harvard Bridge into Boston, continuing past the Berklee College of Music to Boston Medical Center, then heading southwest to Nubian station along Albany Street and Melnea Cass Boulevard.

By 2015, Cambridge had plans to implement signal priority at key intersections on route 1 to enhance operational speed. No modifications were suggested for this route in the May and November 2022 network proposals.

Transit advocacy organization Transitmatters identified the 1 bus as the MBTA’s slowest and most prone to bunching, reporting an average speed of just 6.55 mph and a bunching frequency of 17.7% in October 2023—highlighting considerable challenges in maintaining consistent service.

15

The 15 Fields Corner Station or St. Peter's Square–Ruggles Station line travels from St. Peter's Square in northern Dorchester north along Bowdoin Street, west on Hancock Street, then north on Columbia Street reaching Uphams Corner. It continues westward on Dudley Street to Nubian station, proceeds along Malcolm X Boulevard heading west, and turns north on Tremont Street terminating at Ruggles station. Evening and weekend trips end at Fields Corner station, operating via Geneva Avenue and Bowdoin Street back to St. Peter's Square.

Service on the 15 Kane Square–Dudley via Uphams Corner and Dudley Street route commenced on April 6, 1962, taking over from former trackless trolley operations. Following the Orange Line’s relocation to the Southwest Corridor in May 1987, this route was extended to reach Ruggles. On August 25, 2024, Kane Square service was marginally lengthened to St. Peter's Square.

A draft network plan released in May 2022 suggested extending the route further west to Oak Square, substituting route , thereby establishing an Oak Square–Fields Corner connection. However, by November 2022 this proposal was scaled back to maintain Ruggles as the western terminal and preserve route 65 as a separate service.

22

The 22 Ashmont Station–Ruggles Station via Talbot Ave runs northwest from Ashmont toward the former location of Egleston station, then proceeds north along Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street, roughly paralleling the Orange Line before concluding at Ruggles.

On April 6, 1962, buses replaced previous trackless trolley service on this corridor initially operating as the 22 Ashmont–Dudley via Talbot and Warren route. Unlike its current path, it formerly continued north on Warren Street reaching . The extension to Ruggles coincided with the Orange Line’s move in May 1987. Draft plans from 2022 proposed shifting its inner terminal to serve the Longwood Medical Area instead.

23

The 23 Ashmont Station–Ruggles Station via Washington Street route shares its terminals with the 22 but takes an alternate course: departing Ashmont along Talbot Avenue, it proceeds northward on Washington Street, then follows Warren Street to Nubian station. From Nubian, the bus travels west via Malcolm X Boulevard to Roxbury Crossing, then continues north on Tremont Street until reaching Ruggles.

This line transitioned from trackless trolleys to buses on April 7, 1962, initially operating under the name 22 Ashmont–Dudley via Washington Street and Warren. The route was extended to Ruggles in May 1987 following the Orange Line relocation.

A study conducted in 2017 highlighted overcrowding on routes 23 and 28, recommending easing congestion by extending and increasing service frequency on route 29. From March 1, 2022, through February 28, 2026, a city-funded fare-free initiative covers routes 23, 28, and 29. Neither the May nor November 2022 network proposals included modifications to this route.

28

The 28 Mattapan Station–Ruggles Station line connects the Grove Hall and Mattapan neighborhoods along Blue Hill Avenue, a major thoroughfare. Historically, Blue Hill Avenue supported high-frequency transit; for example, in 1945, route 29 Mattapan–Egleston operated with headways as short as 1.5 minutes during morning peak periods. Streetcars once ran on dedicated rights-of-way before buses replaced them by 1955. Introduced in May 1987 to complement route 29, route 28 became the main service on Blue Hill Avenue by December 1989, while route 29 was reduced to rush-hour-only service terminating at Jackson Square. Selected stops received shelters in 2001. Between December 2006 and June 2010, a morning peak short-turn variant operated as route 25 between Franklin Park and Dudley (later Ruggles).

The 2003 Program for Mass Transportation (PMT) explored several Silver Line expansion options, including a bus rapid transit (BRT) overlay for route 28—a concept briefly revisited in the Silver Line Phase III plans of 2006. In 2009, state authorities proposed a limited-stop BRT service named 28X, aimed at New England's busiest bus corridor. This $114 million project featured dedicated bus lanes and queue jumps along Blue Hill and Warren avenues, with construction planned for April 2010 and service launch targeted for early 2012.

The initiative encountered strong opposition due to insufficient community engagement and concerns about parking reductions, median removals, and extended construction impacts. As a result, the state canceled the project in late 2009. In June 2010, the MBTA deployed articulated 60-foot buses on route 28 to boost capacity; however, some stops in Grove Hall were eliminated to accommodate these larger vehicles, generating local discontent. The 2012 Roxbury–Dorchester–Mattapan Transit Needs Study suggested implementing the express-style 28X service without new infrastructure investments.

In August 2020, MBTA and Boston jointly applied for $15 million in federal funds toward a $30 million Blue Hill Avenue improvement project featuring center-running bus lanes with an anticipated completion by late 2021; this funding request was denied in September. A subsequent $25 million application was submitted in July 2021. A city-sponsored pilot offering fare-free rides and all-door boarding on route 28 operated from August 2021 through February 2022 to shorten travel times on this often-delayed corridor. Following this pilot, fare-free service was extended across routes 23, 28, and 29 from March 2022 through February 2026. In November 2021, Boston secured a $15 million federal grant toward the $39.5 million Blue Hill Avenue reconstruction project.

The network redesigns proposed in May and November of 2022 included plans to extend route 28 beyond Roxbury Crossing to via Longwood Medical Area while eliminating the Roxbury Crossing–Ruggles segment. In February 2024, Boston announced a $44 million Blue Hill Avenue reconstruction that will incorporate center bus lanes; construction is anticipated to commence in 2026.

32

The 32 Wolcott or Cleary Square–Forest Hills Station line operates along Hyde Park Avenue, connecting Forest Hills to Readville and serving the neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and Hyde Park. This route runs parallel to the commuter rail tracks throughout its entire length.

Prior to 1953, Route 32 functioned as a trolley service between Forest Hills and Cleary Square before transitioning to trackless trolley operation. In 1958, diesel buses replaced trackless trolleys on the segment south of Forest Hills. A turnaround loop for trackless trolleys was situated at the intersection of Hyde Park Avenue and Pine Street.

In 1981, Route 31, which ran from Mattapan Square to Wolcott Square, was combined with Route 32 at Cleary Square, creating the Route 32 Forest Hills–Wolcott Square service. Meanwhile, Route 50, which served Cleary Square and Forest Hills via Roslindale, was rerouted to cover the Summer Street Elderly Housing area. The network plans released in May and November 2022 did not propose any modifications to this route.

39

The 39 Forest Hills Station–Back Bay Station route was introduced in December 1985 to substitute Green Line E branch service between Heath Street and Arborway. It parallels the Green Line corridor from Heath Street to Copley and provides connections to both the Orange Line and commuter rail at its endpoints, including Amtrak service at Back Bay.

Route 39 was notable for being the first MBTA line to routinely deploy articulated buses—a feature later adopted by other routes like the 28 in late 2005. By 2013, it ranked as Boston's second busiest bus route. Its substantial ridership played a role in the expansion of Forest Hills station during the Casey Arborway redevelopment.

The May 2022 draft network plan suggested extending Route 39 through via and , replacing sections of routes , , and , while eliminating service between Longwood Avenue and Back Bay. However, the November 2022 draft reverted Route 39 to its existing alignment, with an increased frequency on Route 47 extended to Union Square in Somerville.

57

Serving Boston, Newton, and Watertown, the 57 Watertown Yard–Kenmore Station route replaced the discontinued Green Line A branch in 1969. Historically, Route 57 provided limited-stop service within Boston city limits—specifically no passenger pickups on Commonwealth Avenue between Packard's Corner and Kenmore Square—but this practice ended in December 2006. Neither the May nor November 2022 network plans included proposals for changes to this route.

66

The 66 Harvard Square–Nubian Station via Allston line began as a trolley route and now starts at Nubian Square in Roxbury, crossing the Southwest Corridor Park near Roxbury Crossing. It shares portions of its path with Route 39 and the Green Line E branch from Brigham Circle up to Boston's city boundary. Traveling along Harvard Street, it serves Brookline and Allston before diverting through Union Square; it then follows Cambridge Street and North Harvard Street to conclude at Harvard Square in Cambridge.

This route links several major transit hubs including Nubian station (Silver Line), Roxbury Crossing (Orange Line), various Green Line stations on branches E, D, C, and B, as well as Harvard station on the Red Line. The May and November 2022 network drafts proposed no alterations. In August 2024, northbound trips were rerouted through the Harvard Bus Tunnel.

71

The 71 Watertown Square–Harvard station route originates at the lower level of the Harvard bus tunnel, proceeds southward onto Mount Auburn Street, then travels westward into Watertown, concluding at Watertown Square.

At Harvard, the bus completes its turnaround by leaving the tunnel, making a sharp left onto Massachusetts Avenue, followed by right turns onto Garden Street, Waterhouse Street, and returning to Massachusetts Avenue before re-entering the tunnel. In Watertown, a dedicated right-of-way loop enables efficient turning and passenger boarding.

Streetcar operations ceased on September 4, 1958. Subsequently, trackless trolley service continued until March 13, 2022. In 2017, routes 71 and 73 were chosen for inclusion in a bus rapid transit pilot initiative.

Together with routes and , routes 71 and 73 represented some of the MBTA’s final trolleybus ("trackless trolley") lines before their transition to diesel buses in March 2022. The 2022 network proposals did not suggest any modifications to these routes. Nonetheless, Watertown intends a minor extension toward Watertown Yard as part of the redevelopment of Watertown Square.

73

The 73 Waverley Square–Harvard Station route begins within the Harvard bus tunnel and shares Mount Auburn Street with route 71 through Cambridge and Watertown. It then follows Belmont Street along the boundary between Belmont and Watertown before continuing along Trapelo Road in Belmont to terminate at Waverley Square, looping near the Waverley commuter rail station on the Fitchburg Line.

Initially serviced by streetcars until the mid-1950s, route 73 transitioned fully to trackless trolley operation in 1958 and maintained this mode until March 13, 2022. No alterations were proposed for this route in either the May or November 2022 network plans.

77

The 77 Arlington Heights–Harvard Station line links Arlington with Harvard station via Massachusetts Avenue. Prior to the Red Line Northwest Extension in the 1980s, routes 77 and 77A served as primary transit options northwest of Harvard, with combined streetcar frequencies reaching under one minute during peak periods in 1945. Route 77 converted to diesel buses in 1955; meanwhile, route 77A switched to trolleybus operation in 1958 to free streetcars for use on the Highland branch conversion and to eliminate boarding islands for improved automobile traffic flow. Route 77A provided local service south of the carhouse, whereas route 77 operated as a limited-stop service; between 1998 and 2005, route 77 largely supplanted route 77A, which was fully discontinued in 2022. In 2017, Arlington pursued private funding for signal priority measures, queue jump lanes, and potential bus lanes along its segment. The May and November 2022 network plans did not propose any changes for this route.

111

The 111 Woodlawn–Haymarket Station service runs between downtown Boston and Chelsea via the Bill Russell and Tobin Bridges. Originally operated by streetcars between Chelsea Square and Woodlawn under Boston Elevated Railway management from 1936, this line was replaced by buses that October. The route extended to Haymarket in April 1975 following the closure of the Charlestown Elevated line, with partial extensions beyond Woodlawn introduced in January 2001. Service beyond Woodlawn was discontinued in September 2019; additionally, Cary Square short-turn trips were replaced by Woodlawn trips in December 2021. The 111 ranks among MBTA’s most frequent numbered bus routes, offering rush hour service every five minutes. No adjustments were suggested for this route in either the May or November 2022 network proposals.

116/117

The 116 Wonderland Station–Maverick Station via Revere Street and 117 Wonderland Station–Maverick Station via Beach Street routes provided service to East Boston, Chelsea, and Revere. While both lines overlapped significantly through East Boston and Revere, their divergence occurred primarily near Wonderland. According to the network plans released in May and November 2022, route 117 was scheduled for elimination, with the portion between Broadway and Wonderland station absorbed into an extended route to preserve essential bus service frequency. This adjustment was implemented on December 15, 2024.

External links

MBTA – routes , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
MBTA - Key Bus Route Improvement Program