List of MBTA bus routes

Last updated August 30, 2024

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority bus division operates 152 bus routes in the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan area. All routes connect to MBTA subway, MBTA Commuter Rail, and/or other MBTA bus services. Many routes are descendants of the streetcar routes of the Boston Elevated Railway, or of suburban companies including the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway and Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. 148 routes are directly operated by the MBTA, while private companies operate four routes under contract. Four additional suburban operations are partially funded by the MBTA.

Most buses charge local bus fare ($1.70 one-way as of 2024). The Silver Line waterfront services (SL1, SL2, SL3, and SLW) charge the standard subway fare ($2.40 one-way as of 2024). Express buses have a local portion within a community (which charge the local bus fare if the rider notifies the driver that they will exit within that portion), and an express portion that takes a highway to or from downtown Boston (which charges a higher fare of $4.25 as of 2024).^[1]

A number of routes were temporarily suspended or placed on modified routings during the COVID-19 pandemic; overall service levels were restored to pre-COVID levels in 2021, though some routes were not restored. Since 2018, the MBTA has been planning a major bus network overhaul, with implementation expected to be complete in 2028.^[2]

Silver Line

The Silver Line is a six-route bus rapid transit system marketed as rapid transit. It is divided into two branches: Waterfront service (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the rush-hour SLW shuttle) that runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and Washington Street service (SL4 and SL5) that runs on the surface via Washington Street. The Waterfront service costs the same as a subway fare, while the Washington Street service costs a regular bus fare. All Silver Line routes use articulated 60-foot (18 m) buses; the Waterfront routes use hybrid buses with extended battery range for electric operation in the tunnel.

The SL5 route was created in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated. The Shuttle route began operations in 2004, followed by the SL2 and SL3 (former) in 2004 and SL1 in 2005 when dual-mode buses became available. The SL4 was introduced in 2009 as a replacement for the canceled Phase III tunnel. A new SL3 route to Chelsea opened in 2018.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
SL1	Logan Airport terminals–South Station	Link
SL2	Drydock Avenue–South Station	Link
SL3	Chelsea–South Station	Link
SLW	Silver Line Way–South Station	Link
SL4	Nubian station–South Station	Link
SL5	Nubian station–Downtown Crossing (Temple Place)	Link

Crosstown

The two crosstown (CT) routes provide limited-stop service on two routes that connect major subway and bus transfer points. Three crosstown routes were created by the MBTA in 1994; route CT1 was merged with route 1 in 2019.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
CT2	Sullivan Square station–Ruggles station	Link
CT3	Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital–Andrew station	Link

1–121

These routes provide almost all local service in the core of the metropolitan area; most were originally Boston Elevated Railway streetcar routes. They were originally numbered roughly clockwise from southeast to northeast, with 4 the furthest south in South Boston and 121 the furthest north (roughly) in East Boston. The BERy folded into the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1947, and the M.T.A. in turn was reorganized as the MBTA in 1964. Despite some changes, including minor routes being merged into trunk routes, the core service network has remained roughly intact since the BERy eta. New routes have been added during the M.T.A. and MBTA eras.^[3]

Seven routes – 52, 59, 61, 62, 67, 70, and 76 – serve more distant western suburbs including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. They are descendants of routes acquired from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway in 1972, which were subsequently renumbered using previously discontinued designations.^[3]

Fifteen routes – 1, 15, 22, 23, 28, 32, 39, 57, 66, 71, 73, 77, 111, 116, and 117 – are designated as key bus routes. The highest–ridership routes in the system, they supplement the subway system to provide frequent service to the densest areas of the city. Key bus routes typically operate at higher frequencies than other routes.^[4] Routes 28 and 39 use 60-foot articulated buses.

Four early morning round trips are run between outlying stations and Haymarket, each running over portions of several local routes. Although intended primarily for station agents, they are open to all passengers. The trips are internally numbered 191–194, but are shown in timetables as variants of local routes.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
1	Harvard Square–Nubian station	Link
4	North Station–Marine Park	Link
7	City Point–Otis Street & Summer Street	Link
8	Harbor Point–Kenmore station	Link
9	City Point–Copley Square	Link
10	City Point–Copley Square	Link
11	City Point–Chauncy Street & Summer Street	Link
14	Roslindale Square–Heath Street station	Link
15	Fields Corner station or St. Peter's Square–Ruggles station	Link
16	Forest Hills station–Andrew station or Harbor Point	Link
17	Fields Corner station–Andrew station	Link
18	Ashmont station–Andrew station	Link
19	Fields Corner station–Kenmore station or Ruggles station	Link
21	Ashmont station–Forest Hills station	Link
22	Ashmont station–Ruggles station via Talbot Avenue	Link
23	Ashmont station–Ruggles station via Washington Street	Link
24	Wakefield Avenue–Ashmont station	Link
26	Ashmont station–Norfolk Street Loop	Link
28	Mattapan station–Ruggles station	Link
29	Mattapan station–Jackson Square station	Link
30	Mattapan station–Forest Hills station via Cummins Highway and Roslindale Square	Link
31	Mattapan station–Forest Hills station via Morton Street	Link
32	Wolcott or Cleary Square–Forest Hills station	Link
33	River Street & Milton Street–Mattapan station	Link
34	Dedham Mall–Forest Hills station	Link
34E	Walpole Center–Forest Hills station	Link
35	Dedham Mall or Stimson Street–Forest Hills station	Link
36	Millennium Park or VA Hospital–Forest Hills station	Link
37	Baker Street & Vermont Street–Forest Hills station	Link
38	Wren Street–Forest Hills station	Link
39	Forest Hills station–Back Bay station	Link
40	Georgetowne–Forest Hills station	Link
41	Centre Street & Eliot Street–JFK/UMass station	Link
42	Forest Hills station–Nubian station	Link
43	Ruggles station–Park Street station	Link
44	Jackson Square station–Ruggles station	Link
45	Franklin Park–Ruggles station	Link
47	Central Square, Cambridge–Broadway station	Link
50	Cleary Square–Forest Hills station	Link
51	Reservoir station–Forest Hills station	Link
52	Dedham Mall–Watertown Yard	Link
55	Fenway–Copley Square	Link
57	Watertown Yard–Kenmore station	Link
59	Needham Junction–Watertown Square	Link
60	Chestnut Hill–Kenmore station	Link
61	North Waltham–Waltham Center	Link
62	Bedford VA Hospital–Alewife station	Link
62/76	Bedford VA Hospital–Alewife station via Hanscom Airport	Link
64	Oak Square–University Park or Kendall/MIT station	Link
65	Brighton Center–Kenmore station	Link
66	Harvard Square–Nubian station via Allston	Link
67	Turkey Hill–Alewife station	Link
68	Harvard Square–Kendall/MIT station	Link
69	Harvard Square–Lechmere station	Link
70	Market Place Drive or Waltham Center–University Park	Link
71	Watertown Square–Harvard station	Link
73	Waverley Square–Harvard station	Link
74	Belmont Center–Harvard via Concord Avenue	Link
75	Belmont Center–Harvard via Huron Avenue	Link
76	Lincoln Lab–Alewife station	Link
77	Arlington Heights–Harvard station	Link
78	Arlmont Village–Harvard station	Link
80	Arlington Center–Lechmere station	Link
83	Rindge Avenue–Central Square, Cambridge	Link
85	Spring Hill–Kendall/MIT station	Link
86	Sullivan Square station–Reservoir station	Link
87	Clarendon Hill or Arlington Center–Lechmere station	Link
88	Clarendon Hill–Lechmere station	Link
89	Clarendon Hill or Davis station–Sullivan Square station	Link
90	Davis station–Assembly Row	Link
91	Sullivan Square station–Central Square, Cambridge	Link
92	Sullivan Square station–Downtown via Main Street	Link
93	Sullivan Square station–Downtown via Bunker Hill Street	Link
94	Medford Square–Davis station	Link
95	West Medford or Arlington Center–Sullivan Square station	Link
96	Medford Square–Harvard station	Link
97	Malden Center station–Wellington station	Link
99	Woodland Road–Wellington station	Link
100	Elm Street–Wellington station	Link
101	Malden Center station–Sullivan Square station via Winter Hill	Link
104	Malden Center station–Sullivan Square station via Ferry Street	Link
105	Malden Center station–Sullivan Square station via Newland Street Housing	Link
106	Lebanon Loop–Wellington station	Link
108	Linden Square–Wellington station	Link
109	Linden Square–Sullivan Square station	Link
110	Wonderland station–Wellington station	Link
111	Woodlawn–Haymarket station	Link
112	Wellington station–Wood Island station	Link
114	Market Basket–Maverick station	Link
116	Wonderland station–Maverick station via Revere Street	Link
117	Wonderland station–Maverick station via Beach Street	Link
119	Northgate Shopping Center–Beachmont station	Link
120	Orient Heights station–Jeffries Point	Link
121	Wood Island station–Maverick station	Link

131–137

Numbers from 131 to 137 operate in the Melrose area; their routings are based on routes operated as part of the former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, which was folded into the MBTA system in 1968. The since-discontinued 136 and the 137 were briefly operated as far as Lowell and Lawrence, their original Eastern Mass terminals, while under MBTA control. The 132 was a Service Bus Lines route which was not operated by the MBTA until 1975.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
131	Melrose Highlands–Oak Grove or Malden Center station	Link
132	Redstone Shopping Center–Malden Center station	Link
134	North Woburn–Wellington station	Link
137	Reading Depot–Malden Center station	Link

171

Route 171 is a special low-service route – a replacement for early morning CT3 service when it was cut back from Logan Airport in 2002. Other numbers in the 170s were previously used for special routes, largely short-lived routes serving industrial areas.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
171	Logan Airport terminals–Nubian station	Link

201–202

The 20 belt route was created by the M.T.A. in 1962 as a combination of the 20 and 21 stub routes inherited from BERy. In 2005, the MBTA redesignated the two directions of the loop as the 201 and 202 to avoid confusion about which way each bus ran.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
201	Fields Corner Loop via Neponset Avenue	Link
202	Fields Corner Loop via Adams Street	Link

210–245

These routes operate in the Quincy area. Routes 210-245 are based on routes originally operated by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway (folded into the MBTA in 1968) which mostly ran into Fields Corner station. When the Red Line's Braintree Branch opened in phases in 1971 and 1980s, these routes were rerouted to terminate at the new rapid transit stations (principally Quincy Center).^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
210	Quincy Center station–Fields Corner station	Link
211	Quincy Center station–Squantum	Link
215	Quincy Center station–Ashmont station via West Quincy	Link
216	Houghs Neck–Quincy Center station via Germantown	Link
217	Quincy Center station–Ashmont station	Link
220	Hingham Depot–Quincy Center station	Link
222	East Weymouth–Quincy Center station	Link
225	Weymouth Landing–Quincy Center station	Link
226	Columbian Square–Braintree station	Link
230	Montello station–Quincy Center station	Link
236	South Shore Plaza–Quincy Center station	Link
238	Holbrook/Randolph station–Quincy Center station	Link
240	Avon Square–Ashmont station	Link
245	Quincy Center station–Mattapan station	Link

350–354

These routes operate in the Burlington and Woburn area. They are the descendants of the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway's Lowell–Boston route, which was inherited intact by the MBTA in 1968 and soon cut back to Burlington.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
350	North Burlington–Alewife station	Link
351	Bedford Woods Drive–Third Avenue	Link
354	North Burlington–State Street, Boston	Link

411–465

These routes operate in the Lynn area and the North Shore. Two routes that run to Haymarket have weekend short-turn variants (labeled with a W suffix) that terminate at Wonderland. The 411 and 430 were Service Bus Lines routes that were acquired by the MBTA in 1975; the other routes are largely Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway routes acquired in 1968.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
411	Kennedy Drive or Jack Satter House–Malden Center station	Link
424	Eastern Avenue & Essex Street–Wonderland station	Link
426	Central Square, Lynn–Haymarket station	Link
426W	Central Square, Lynn–Wonderland station	Link
428	Oaklandvale–Haymarket station	Link
429	Northgate Shopping Center–Central Square, Lynn	Link
430	Saugus Center–Malden Center station	Link
435	Salem Depot–Central Square, Lynn via Peabody Square	Link
436	Liberty Tree Mall–Central Square, Lynn via Goodwin Circle	Link
439	Nahant–Wonderland station	Link
441	Marblehead–Wonderland station via Paradise Road	Link
442	Marblehead–Wonderland station via Humphrey Street	Link
450	Salem Depot–Haymarket station	Link
450W	Salem Depot–Wonderland station	Link
451	North Beverly station–Salem Depot	Link
455	Salem Depot–Wonderland station	Link
456	Salem Depot–Central Square, Lynn	Link

501–558

These routes operate express between Newton and downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The 500 series routes were created by the MBTA in the 1960s to take advantage of the newly constructed turnpike extension into Boston. The 550 series routes were Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes to Newton Corner that were extended to downtown Boston in the 1960s and taken over by the MBTA in 1972. They were cut back to Newton Corner in 2020.^[3]

Route	Description	MBTA link
501	Brighton Center–Federal Street & Franklin Street	Link
504	Watertown Yard–Federal Street & Franklin Street	Link
505	Waltham Center–Federal Street & Franklin Street	Link
553	Roberts–Newton Corner	Link
554	Waverley Square–Newton Corner	Link
556	Waltham Highlands–Newton Corner	Link
558	Riverside station–Newton Corner	Link

Privately operated routes

The MBTA provides partial subsidy for some suburban routes outside its usual service area that connect with MBTA bus, subway, or commuter rail service. Routes 712-716 are radial commuter routes were taken over from various private operators (Rapid Transit Inc. for the 712/713, Nantasket Transportation for the 714, and Hudson Bus Lines for the 716).^[3]

The non-numbered routes (listed here by their designator on MBTA maps) are local circulator services founded by the municipalities with partial MBTA subsidy.^[3] All are operated by private companies under contract, except for the Beverly Shuttle which is operated by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority.

Route	Description	MBTA link	Operator
712	Point Shirley, Winthrop–Orient Heights station via Revere Street	Link	Paul Revere Transportation
713	Point Shirley, Winthrop–Orient Heights station via Winthrop Center	Link	Paul Revere Transportation
714	Pemberton Point, Hull–Station Street, Hingham	Link	DPV Transportation
716	Cobbs Corner–Mattapan station	Link	DPV Transportation
BED	Bedford Local Transit	Link	Town of Bedford
BEV	City of Beverly Shuttle	Link	CATA
LEX	Lexington Lexpress (4 routes)	Link	Town of Lexington
MIS	Mission Hill LINK	Link	Volunteers

Related Research Articles

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is the public agency responsible for operating most public transportation services in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. The MBTA transit network includes the MBTA subway with three metro lines, two light rail lines, and a five-line bus rapid transit system ; MBTA bus local and express service; the twelve-line MBTA Commuter Rail system, and several ferry routes. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 239,981,700, or about 731,200 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024, of which the rapid transit lines averaged 255,800 and the light rail lines 63,600, making it the fourth-busiest rapid transit system and the third-busiest light rail system in the United States. As of the first quarter of 2024, average weekday ridership of the commuter rail system was 100,400, making it the fifth-busiest commuter rail system in the U.S.

The Silver Line is a system of bus routes in Boston and Chelsea, Massachusetts, operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). It is operated as part of the MBTA bus system, but branded as bus rapid transit (BRT) as part of the MBTA subway system. Six routes are operated as part of two disconnected corridors. As of 2019, weekday ridership on the Silver Line was 39,000.

Airport station is a rapid transit station in Boston, Massachusetts. It serves the MBTA Blue Line and the SL3 branch of the Silver Line. It is located in East Boston under the interchange between Interstate 90 and Massachusetts Route 1A. The station provides one of two mass transit connections to the nearby Logan International Airport, as well as serving local residents in East Boston. Shuttle buses connect the station with the airport terminals and other facilities.

Harvard station is a rapid transit and bus transfer station in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Located at Harvard Square, it serves the MBTA's Red Line subway system as well as MBTA buses. Harvard averaged 18,528 entries each weekday in FY2019, making it the third-busiest MBTA station after Downtown Crossing and South Station. Five of the fifteen key MBTA bus routes stop at the station.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) operates 152 bus routes in the Greater Boston area. The MBTA has a policy objective to provide transit service within walking distance for all residents living in areas with population densities greater than 5,000 inhabitants per square mile (1,900/km²) within the MBTA's service district. Much of this service is provided by bus. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 91,459,700, or about 310,700 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

Lechmere station is a Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line light rail station in Lechmere Square in East Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is located on the east side of Monsignor O'Brien Highway near First Street, adjacent to the NorthPoint development. The accessible elevated station has a single island platform, with headhouses at both ends. It opened on March 21, 2022, as part of the Green Line Extension (GLX). Lechmere station is served by Green Line D branch and E branch service.

Hynes Convention Center station is an underground light rail station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line. It is located at the intersection of Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue near the western end of the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The station is named for the Hynes Convention Center, which is located about 700 feet (210 m) to the east along Boylston Street. It has two side platforms serving the two tracks of the Boylston Street subway, which are used by the Green Line B branch, C branch, and D branch. The main entrance to the station from Massachusetts Avenue leads to a fare lobby under the 360 Newbury Street building.

Nubian station is a ground-level Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus station located in Nubian Square in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is a transfer point between MBTA bus routes, including two Silver Line bus rapid transit lines and 14 local routes. Like all MBTA bus stops, Nubian is fully accessible.

The B branch, also called the Commonwealth Avenue branch or Boston College branch, is a branch of the MBTA Green Line light rail system which operates on Commonwealth Avenue west of downtown Boston, Massachusetts. One of four branches of the Green Line, the B branch runs from Boston College station down the median of Commonwealth Avenue to Blandford Street. There, it enters Blandford Street portal into Kenmore station, where it merges with the C and D branches. The combined services run into the Boylston Street subway and Tremont Street subway to downtown Boston. B branch service has terminated at Government Center since October 2021. Unlike the other branches, B branch service runs solely through the city limits of Boston. The Green Line Rivalry between Boston College and Boston University is named in reference to the B branch, which runs to both universities.

The Boston-area trolleybus system formed part of the public transportation network serving Greater Boston in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It opened on April 11, 1936, with a large network operating for the next quarter-century. Measured by fleet size, the Boston-area system was the second-largest trolleybus system in the United States at its peak, with only the Chicago system having more trolleybuses than Boston's 463. After 1963, the only remaining portion was a four-route cluster operating from the Harvard bus tunnel at Harvard station, running through Cambridge, Belmont, and Watertown. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority took over the routes in 1964.

As with many large cities, a large number of Boston-area streetcar lines once existed, and many continued operating into the 1950s. However, only a few now remain, namely the four branches of the Green Line and the Ashmont–Mattapan High-Speed Line, with only one running regular service on an undivided street.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) maintains a large public transit system in the Boston, Massachusetts area, and uses various methods to name and number their services for the convenience of users.

World Trade Center station is an underground bus rapid transit station on the MBTA's Silver Line, located south of Congress Street on the South Boston Waterfront. The station is situated between the World Trade Center and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center; it also serves Commonwealth Pier and nearby residential and commercial development. Like all Silver Line stations, World Trade Center station is accessible.

Chinatown station is a rapid transit station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange Line, located at the edge of the Chinatown neighborhood in the downtown core of Boston, Massachusetts. The station has two offset side platforms, which run under Washington Street from Hayward Place to Lagrange Street. The three entrances are located at the intersection of Washington Street with Essex and Boylston streets. Like all Orange Line stations, both the subway platforms and all bus connections are fully accessible.

Suffolk Downs station is a rapid transit station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Blue Line, located on the east side of Orient Heights in East Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It is named for the now-defunct Suffolk Downs racetrack, located just to the north. Suffolk Downs station has two side platforms, with a footbridge structure of brick, concrete, and steel connecting them. The station is accessible. With just 521 daily boardings in FY 2019, Suffolk Downs is the least-used fare-controlled station on the MBTA subway system.

Silver Line Way station is a surface bus rapid transit station on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Silver Line, located on Silver Line Way at Pumphouse Road between Massport Haul Road and D Street near the South Boston Waterfront. The station is a block south of the Boston Fish Pier; it also serves the Boston Renaissance Waterfront Hotel and the Leader Bank Pavilion.

Courthouse station is an underground bus rapid transit station on the MBTA's Silver Line, located under Seaport Boulevard at Thomson Street on the South Boston Waterfront. It is named for the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse which is one block to the north on Fan Pier. The station also serves the Fort Point neighborhood, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, and nearby residential and commercial development. Like all Silver Line stations, Courthouse station is accessible.

Northampton station was an elevated rapid transit station located above Washington Street at Massachusetts Avenue in the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It served the Washington Street Elevated, part of the MBTA's Orange Line, from 1901 until 1987.

Dover station was an elevated rapid transit station located above Washington Street at Dover Street in the South End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It served the Washington Street Elevated, part of the MBTA's Orange Line, from 1901 until 1987.

The Ipswich Street line was a streetcar line in Boston and Brookline, Massachusetts. The line ran on Boylston Street and Ipswich Street in the Fenway–Kenmore neighborhood, and on Brookline Avenue through what is now the Longwood Medical Area to Brookline Village.

References

↑ Beginner's Guide to the Bus, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, retrieved August 2, 2024
↑ "Bus Network Redesign". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Belcher, Jonathan. "Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district" (PDF). Boston Street Railway Association.
↑ "Service Delivery Policy" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. July 13, 2006. pp. 3, 26–27. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

External links

MBTA – Bus schedules and maps

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] Beginner's Guide to the Bus, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, retrieved August 2, 2024

[2] "Bus Network Redesign". Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Retrieved August 5, 2022.

[netransit-3] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Belcher, Jonathan. "Changes to Transit Service in the MBTA district" (PDF). Boston Street Railway Association.

[policy-4] "Service Delivery Policy" (PDF). Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. July 13, 2006. pp. 3, 26–27. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 31, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2014.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]