The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus division manages 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region in Massachusetts, linking with the MBTA subway, Commuter Rail, and other bus lines. The majority of these routes originate from former streetcar corridors or suburban transit companies such as the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. Of these, the MBTA directly operates 147 routes, while four are run by private contractors. Additionally, four suburban routes receive partial MBTA funding.
As of 2024, the local bus fare is set at $1.70 for a one-way trip. The Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the SLW shuttle during peak hours) require the standard subway fare of $2.40. Express buses apply a two-tier fare system with a local zone fare and an elevated express fare of $4.25 for travel on highway segments.
Service interruptions occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic but were mostly resolved by 2021. Since 2018, the MBTA has been engaged in an extensive redesign of its bus network, aiming for completion by 2028. The first phase of these modifications commenced in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line is a bus rapid transit system comprising six routes, promoted as a rapid transit option. It operates two main segments: the Waterfront branch (SL1, SL2, SL3, plus the rush-hour SLW shuttle), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street branch (SL4 and SL5), which travels along surface streets. Waterfront routes require subway fares, whereas Washington Street routes charge standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; 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 launched in 2004 alongside SL2 and SL3 that same year; SL1 began operations in 2005 using dual-mode buses. Following the cancellation of Phase III tunnel construction, the SL4 started service in 2009. A new SL3 route connecting to Chelsea was introduced in 2018.
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The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes that offer limited-stop service connecting key subway stations and major bus transfer locations. Initially launched with three crosstown lines in 1994, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
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These routes constitute the core framework of local transit within the metropolitan center, with most having their origins as streetcar lines operated by the Boston Elevated Railway. Arranged approximately in a clockwise sequence from the southeast to the northeast, this network has largely maintained its structure since the BERy period, notwithstanding minor consolidations and expansions during the M.T.A. and MBTA administrations.
A group of seven routes – , , , , , , and – provide service to western suburban communities such as Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These lines trace their heritage to routes acquired from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972 and were assigned numbers that had previously been retired.
Fourteen routes – , , , , , , , , , , , , , and – were classified as key bus routes in 2004. These high-demand corridors complement the subway network by offering frequent service to the most densely populated urban zones. Beginning in 2024, the MBTA is transitioning away from the "key bus route" label toward a more inclusive frequent route system. Notably, routes 28 and 39 operate with 60-foot articulated buses.
In addition, four early morning round trips link outlying stations to via multiple local services. Primarily intended for station staff but accessible to all passengers, these trips carry internal route numbers 191–194 while appearing as variants of local routes.
... [table continues with remaining routes as originally listed] ...
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Routes numbered 131 through 137 serve the Melrose region and originated from former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. Routes 136 (now discontinued) and 137 once extended service to Lowell and Lawrence. The initial operation of route 132 was managed by Service Bus Lines until the MBTA assumed control in 1975.
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Route 171 operates as a limited early morning replacement for the CT3 line that was truncated from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes in the 170 series were short-term services catering to industrial districts.
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The former 20 belt route, established by the M.T.A. in 1962 from remnants of BERy's routes 20 and 21, was renumbered in 2005 into routes 201 and 202 to better differentiate loop travel directions.
The routes numbered 210 through 245 operate in the vicinity of Quincy, Massachusetts, tracing their origins back to the former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were integrated into the MBTA system in 1968. Following the gradual launch of the Red Line's Braintree Branch during the 1970s and 1980s, these services were adjusted to primarily conclude at .
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Serving the Burlington and Woburn regions, these routes stem from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway’s Lowell–Boston corridor, which was taken over by the MBTA in 1968 and subsequently shortened to end at Burlington.
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Operating throughout Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes consist primarily of former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines acquired in 1968, along with Service Bus Lines routes (411 and 430) added in 1975. On weekends, shortened versions (denoted with W) end at Wonderland station.
501–558
These express bus routes connect Newton with downtown Boston, traveling along the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The MBTA launched the 500 series during the 1960s to capitalize on the turnpike's extension into Boston. The 550 series has its roots in Middlesex and Boston Street Railway lines that originally ran to Newton Corner; these were extended into downtown Boston in the 1960s and later incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972. In 2020, service on these routes was shortened back to Newton Corner.
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The MBTA provides partial funding for suburban routes beyond its primary service region that link with MBTA transit services. The radial commuter lines numbered 712 through 716 were originally operated by private companies: Rapid Transit Inc. manages routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation runs route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines operates route 716.
Local circulator services, which are unnumbered on MBTA maps, are established by municipalities with some financial support from the MBTA. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is run by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these circulators are operated under private contracts.
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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.
