Bus division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
MBTA Bus Division| Company type | Division |
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| Industry | Public transportation |
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| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
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Area served | Boston metropolitan area |
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| Products | Bus transit services |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The MBTA bus division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority manages 151 routes throughout the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan region. Each route provides connections to the MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, or other MBTA bus lines. Many of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar services once operated by the Boston Elevated Railway and suburban operators such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. Of the total routes, 147 are directly managed by the MBTA, while four are operated by private contractors. Additionally, four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
The standard fare for most bus trips is $1.70 for a one-way local ride (2024 rates). The Silver Line's waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) require the regular subway fare of $2.40. Express buses feature a dual-fare structure: passengers pay the local fare for travel within local zones and $4.25 for the express segment into downtown Boston via highway.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, service levels were curtailed or rerouted but have been mostly reinstated by 2021, although some routes remain permanently discontinued. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking an extensive redesign of its bus network, targeting completion by 2028. The initial phase of these changes was implemented in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line comprises six bus rapid transit routes promoted as rapid transit services. It consists of two main branches: the Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW shuttle), which operates through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street service (SL4 and SL5), which runs on surface streets. Waterfront routes charge fares equivalent to subway prices, while Washington Street routes maintain standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; those on Waterfront routes utilize hybrid models equipped with extended battery capacity to enable electric operation within tunnels.
Service on SL5 commenced in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated. The Shuttle route was introduced in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 also in 2004, with SL1 starting in 2005 using dual-mode buses. The SL4 route launched in 2009 after plans for a Phase III tunnel were canceled. In 2018, a new SL3 route extending to Chelsea was added.
Crosstown
The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes that provide limited-stop service linking key subway stations and major bus transfer hubs. Initially launched with three routes in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
1–121
These routes encompass nearly all local transit services within the metropolitan center, many tracing their origins back to Boston Elevated Railway streetcar operations. Arranged approximately in a clockwise manner from the southeast to the northeast, the network has developed through transitions from the Metropolitan Transit Authority to the MBTA, preserving its foundational structure while incorporating additional routes over time.
Seven lines—, , , , , , and —connect western suburban communities including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These routes evolved from former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway services that were integrated into the MBTA system in 1972.
In 2004, fourteen routes—, , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were identified as key bus corridors due to their substantial ridership and frequent operations catering to densely populated urban neighborhoods. Beginning in 2024, the MBTA is shifting away from this designation toward a broader frequent route network classification. Notably, routes 28 and 39 operate with 60-foot articulated buses.
There are four early morning round trips running between outlying stations and over various local routes. Originally intended primarily for station personnel but accessible to all riders, these runs are internally numbered 191–194 but appear as variants of local routes in public schedules.
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131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 primarily serve the Melrose vicinity, having originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that became part of the MBTA network in 1968. Routes 136 (now discontinued) and 137 once offered limited service extending to Lowell and Lawrence during MBTA operation. Route 132 was previously operated by Service Bus Lines before its acquisition by the MBTA in 1975.
171
Route 171 operates as a limited-service substitute for early morning CT3 service that was truncated from Logan Airport in 2002. Historically, other routes in the 170 series served industrial districts but generally had short operational spans.
201–202
The original 20 belt route was established by the M.T.A. in 1962 by combining BERy’s former 20 and 21 lines. In 2005, this loop service was split into routes 201 and 202 to better distinguish travel directions around the circuit.
210–245
Routes numbered 210 through 245 primarily serve the Quincy, Massachusetts region, originating from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were integrated into the MBTA system in 1968. Following the gradual inauguration of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to conclude at newly established rapid transit stations such as .
350–354
Serving the Burlington and Woburn locales, these routes trace back to the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell to Boston corridor, which the MBTA acquired in its entirety in 1968 before subsequently shortening the service to Burlington.
411–465
Operating within Lynn and the North Shore region, these routes consist of former Service Bus Lines routes (such as 411 and 430) acquired in 1975 alongside mostly Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines absorbed in 1968. Two routes heading toward Haymarket offer weekend short-turn services (indicated by a W suffix) that terminate at Wonderland station.
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Description
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501–558
These express bus routes provide a direct connection between Newton and downtown Boston, traveling along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Developed in the 1960s by the MBTA to capitalize on the newly extended turnpike, the 500 series routes serve this corridor. The 550 series traces its origins to former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines that reached Newton Corner; these were extended into downtown Boston during the 1960s and later incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972. In 2020, service on these routes was shortened to terminate once again at Newton Corner.
Privately operated routes
Certain suburban routes beyond the MBTA’s central service area receive partial financial support from the authority while connecting with MBTA transit. The radial commuter lines numbered 712 through 716 were acquired from private companies: Rapid Transit Inc. operates routes 712 and 713; Nantasket Transportation manages route 714; and Hudson Bus Lines runs route 716.
In addition, several unnumbered local circulator services have been established by municipalities with some MBTA funding. Except for the Beverly Shuttle—which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority—all of these are operated under private contracts.
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Point Shirley, Winthrop via Revere Street
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Paul Revere Transportation
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Point Shirley, Winthrop via Winthrop Center
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| 714
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From Pemberton Point, Hull to Station Street, Hingham
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DPV Transportation
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| 716
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(Cobbs Corner)–
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716}}
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External links
