Bus division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Division| Company type | Public agency 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, including local routes, express routes, Silver Line BRT |
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| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) |
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| Website | www.mbta.com/bus |
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus division manages 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region, coordinating closely with MBTA subway lines, commuter rail, and other bus networks. Of these routes, 147 are operated directly by the MBTA, while four are managed by private contractors. Additionally, four suburban services receive partial funding support from the MBTA.
The majority of local bus routes impose a one-way fare of $1.70 as of 2024. In contrast, the Silver Line waterfront routes (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express buses incorporate both a local fare segment and a higher express fare of $4.25 for their highway portions.
Service experienced interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic but was mostly reinstated by 2021; however, some routes remain out of operation. Since 2018, the MBTA has been undertaking an extensive redesign of its bus network, targeting completion by 2028, with initial modifications introduced in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line comprises six bus rapid transit (BRT) routes branded as rapid transit services. It includes two main segments: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW), which operates through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street branch (SL4, SL5), which runs on surface streets. Waterfront routes charge subway fares, whereas Washington Street routes maintain standard bus fare levels. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; those on the Waterfront routes utilize hybrid models equipped with extended battery capacity for electric operation within tunnels.
The SL5 route began service in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated line. The Silver Line Shuttle started in 2004 alongside the initial launches of SL2 and the original SL3. The SL1 route was introduced in 2005 featuring dual-mode buses. The SL4 route was established in 2009 following cancellation of a planned Phase III tunnel project, and a new SL3 extension to Chelsea commenced operations in 2018.
Crosstown
The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop connections between major subway and bus transfer hubs. Initially 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 Boston’s central metropolitan area; many originated as streetcar lines under the Boston Elevated Railway. Numbered initially in a clockwise sequence from southeast to northeast, this network has largely persisted since the BERy era despite some consolidations and additions during both M.T.A. and MBTA administrations.
Seven routes— , , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities such as Bedford, Massachusetts, Waltham, Massachusetts, Lexington, Massachusetts, and Needham, Massachusetts. These lines trace back to former Middlesex and Boston Street Railway services acquired in 1972 and were renumbered using previously retired designations.
In 2004, fourteen routes— , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were classified as key bus corridors due to their high ridership levels. These important lines complement subway services by offering frequent trips through densely populated urban zones. With the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign commencing in 2024, this terminology will be phased out as the frequent service network expands. Routes 28 and 39 operate with articulated buses measuring 60 feet.
Additionally, four early morning trips (routes 191–194) connect peripheral stations with overlying local routes primarily for station personnel but are accessible to all riders.
131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 provide service to the Melrose region, tracing their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were absorbed by the MBTA in 1968. Under MBTA operation, routes 136 (now discontinued) and 137 once extended briefly to Lowell and Lawrence. The 132 route began as a Service Bus Lines operation before being taken over by the MBTA in 1975.
171
The 171 route functions as a limited early-morning substitute for the CT3 service, which was shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Historically, other routes in the 170 series served industrial areas but were generally short-lived.
201–202
Originally established as the 20 belt route by the M.T.A. in 1962 from BERy’s routes, this service was divided into routes 201 and 202 in 2005 to differentiate the loop directions around Fields Corner.
210–245
The Quincy area is served by routes numbered 210 through 245, which originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines taken over by the MBTA in 1968. With the gradual introduction of the Red Line’s Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these routes were adjusted to terminate predominantly at rapid transit stations, mainly at .
350–354
These routes operate in the Burlington and Woburn regions, tracing their origins to the Lowell–Boston corridor of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA took over this line in 1968 and subsequently shortened service to terminate in Burlington.
411–465
Covering Lynn and the North Shore, these lines include former Service Bus Lines routes (411 and 430) acquired in 1975, alongside primarily Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes absorbed in 1968. Two routes heading to Haymarket feature weekend shortened trips that conclude at Wonderland station.
501–558
These express services link Newton with downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). Established during the 1960s to utilize the turnpike's expansion, the 500 series consists of routes initially run by the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway before their 1972 integration into the MBTA. Routes numbered in the 550s were truncated to Newton Corner as of 2020.
Privately operated routes
The MBTA provides partial funding for several suburban bus lines located beyond its primary service region, which connect to the broader MBTA transit network. Routes 712 through 716 are commuter routes running radially and were obtained from private companies—Rapid Transit Inc. operates routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation manages route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines runs route 716.
Routes without numerical designations serve as local circulators established by local governments with financial support from the MBTA. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all such services are privately operated under contract.
| Route
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Route Description
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MBTA link
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| 501
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Federal Street & Franklin Street, Boston–Brighton Center
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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| 504
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'Federal Street & Franklin Street, Boston' to Watertown Yard
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Template:MBTA bus EL
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