View source for MBTA bus

{{Short description|Greater Boston bus network}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
| name = MBTA bus
| image = MBTA route 80 bus at School Street, March 2022.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| image_caption = A [[New Flyer]] XDE40 bus in Somerville in 2022
| parent = [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]] (MBTA)
| founded = 1964 ([[Boston-area streetcar lines|predecessors]] date to 1856)
| locale = [[Greater Boston]]
| service_area = 
| service_type = Local, limited stop, express, and [[Bus rapid transit|BRT]]
| alliance =
| routes = 152<ref name=roster>{{cite web |url=http://www.transithistory.org/roster/ |title=MBTA Vehicle Inventory |publisher=NETransit |access-date=August 16, 2023}}</ref>
| destinations =
| stops =
| hubs =
| stations =
| lounge =
| fleet = 1,037 (Active)<ref name=roster />
| ridership = {{American transit ridership|MA Boston MB daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| annual_ridership = {{American transit ridership|MA Boston MB annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| fuel_type = [[Diesel fuel|Diesel]], [[Diesel-electric|diesel-electric hybrid]], [[Compressed natural gas|CNG]]
| operator = MBTA; private operators
| website = {{URL|mbta.com}}
| map = [[File:MBTA Bus geographic map.svg|300px]]
| map_state = collapsed
}}

The [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]] (MBTA) operates [[List of MBTA bus routes|152 bus routes]] in the [[Greater Boston]] area. The MBTA has a policy objective to provide transit service within walking distance (defined as {{convert|0.25|mi|km}}) for all residents living in areas with population densities greater than {{convert|5000|PD/sqmi|/km2}} within the MBTA's service district. Much of this service is provided by bus. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|MA Boston MB annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|MA Boston MB daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}.

Most MBTA bus routes are local service operated in [[Boston]] and its inner suburbs and connect to [[MBTA subway]] stations. Fifteen high-ridership local routes are designated as [[List of key MBTA bus routes|key routes]], with higher frequency at all operating hours. The MBTA operates a five-route [[bus rapid transit]] service branded as the [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]], as well as [[MBTA crosstown bus routes|two limited-stop crosstown routes]]. Three smaller local networks are based in the nearby cities of [[Lynn, Massachusetts|Lynn]], [[Waltham, Massachusetts|Waltham]], and [[Quincy, Massachusetts|Quincy]]. Several express routes operate from suburbs to downtown Boston.

The MBTA has an active bus fleet around 1,040 buses with [[Diesel-electric transmission|diesel-electric hybrid]] or [[compressed natural gas]] propulsion. Replacement of the full fleet with [[battery electric bus]]es is planned. The entire bus system is [[accessible]]; all vehicles are [[low-floor bus]]es with fold-out ramps.

Most routes are operated directly by the MBTA. Four suburban routes are run by private operators under contract to the MBTA, while several small circulator systems are run by other operators with partial MBTA subsidy. MBTA-operated buses operate from nine garages, one of which is under reconstruction and a second planned for replacement. Several sections of dedicated right-of-way for MBTA buses have been opened in the 21st century, including two off-street busways for the Silver Line and a number of dedicated bus lanes.

The modern bus system descends from [[Boston-area streetcar lines|a network]] of horsecar and electric streetcar lines built in the 1850s to 1910s, which were consolidated under the [[West End Street Railway]] and later [[Boston Elevated Railway]] (BERy). The BERy introduced buses in 1922 to replace lightly-used streetcar lines and expand into new areas. Over the next four decades under the BERy and Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), all but six streetcar routes were converted to bus or trolleybus. Most trolleybuses were phased out by the 1960s, but four routes lasted until 2022. The MBTA took over the MTA in 1964, and several private suburban bus operators over the following two decades. Many routes have been modified during the MBTA era; the agency introduced crosstown routes in 1994 and the Silver Line in 2002.

==History==
[[File:MBTA Arborway Yard in 1967.jpg|thumb|left|Buses at [[Arborway Yard]] in 1967]]
A number of [[horsecar]] lines were built in Boston and surrounding towns in the second half of the 19th century, beginning with the [[Cambridge Railroad]] in 1856. Several smaller companies were consolidated into the [[West End Street Railway]] in 1887. The West End began electrifying existing lines and constructing new streetcar lines; the last horsecar lines ended in 1900. The West End was purchased in 1897 by the [[Boston Elevated Railway]] (BERy), which had been created to build a [[MBTA subway|rapid transit system]] in Boston. As that system was constructed in the first two decades of the 20th century, many streetcar lines were cut back from downtown Boston to rapid transit stations. Stations like {{bts|Sullivan Square}}, {{bts|Dudley Square}}, {{bts|Forest Hills}}, {{bts|Harvard}}, and {{bts|Andrew}} were built as transfer stations with easy connections between subway and rapid transit.

Some small companies operated buses in Boston as early as the 1910s. BERy bus service began on February 23, 1922, when buses replaced the [[Green Line A branch#North Beacon Street line|North Beacon Street streetcar line]].<ref name=feb23>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/54545466/the-boston-globe/ |title=Extra "L" Service for Watertown and Newton |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=February 22, 1922 |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> Initial bus routes largely replaced lightly-used streetcar lines or expanded service to new areas. The BERy also attempted in the 1920s to make the [[Tremont Street subway|Tremont Street streetcar subway]] operate more like a rapid transit line, using trains of streetcars entering the subway from a small number of feeder lines, rather than single streetcars from numerous surface lines.<ref name=july10>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52267267/the-boston-globe/ |title=New Lechmere Sq Transfer Station, Open for L Traffic |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=July 10, 1922 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} {{open access}}</ref> The [[69 (MBTA bus)|Harvard–Lechmere streetcar line]] was converted to trackless trolley ([[trolleybus]]) on April 11, 1936 – the first route in what would become [[Trolleybuses in Greater Boston|an extensive trackless trolley system]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97094777/the-boston-globe/ |title=El Tries Out New Trolleys |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=April 11, 1936 |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

As increased automobile usage reduced ridership and increased congestion, the BERy and its 1947 replacement Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) continued to convert streetcar lines to bus and trolleybus. Most trolleybus lines were replaced by buses in the late 1940s to early 1960s, as buses offered increased flexibility and no need to maintain overhead lines. When the [[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority]] (MBTA) replaced the MTA in 1964, all surface lines were operated by buses except six streetcar lines (the five [[Green Line (MBTA)|Green Line]] branches plus the [[Mattapan Line]]) and four trolleybus lines.<ref name=netransit /> The MBTA rebranded many elements of Boston's public transportation network in its first decade. After being found unsuitable in 1965 for the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]] because it did not show up well on maps, yellow was chosen for the color of bus operations on January 8, 1972.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/boston/downtown/gallery/orange_line_111th_anniversary?pg=11 |title=MBTA Orange Line's 111th anniversary |newspaper=Boston Globe |last=Tran |first=Andrew Ba |date=June 2012 |page=11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170721150920/http://archive.boston.com/yourtown/boston/downtown/gallery/orange_line_111th_anniversary?pg=11 |archive-date=July 21, 2017}}</ref><ref name=chronicle>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/chronicleofbosto00mass |title=A Chronicle of the Boston Transit System |year=1981 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |via=Internet Archive |page=8}}</ref>

The MBTA had primarily been formed to subsidize the [[MBTA Commuter Rail|suburban commuter rail]] network. However, the agency also took over unprofitable suburban bus operations – much of which was former streetcar lines – from several private companies. The MBTA took over the [[Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway]] in 1968, inheriting large networks based in [[Lynn, Massachusetts|Lynn]] and [[Quincy, Massachusetts|Quincy]] plus several lines in [[Norwood, Massachusetts|Norwood]] and [[Melrose, Massachusetts|Melrose]]. (Networks serving [[Lowell, Massachusetts|Lowell]], [[Lawrence, Massachusetts|Lawrence]], and [[Brockton, Massachusetts|Brockton]] outside the MBTA district were briefly operated by the MBTA. They were transferred to new public agencies: the [[Lowell Regional Transit Authority|LRTA]] in Lowell in 1976, a predecessor of the [[Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority|MVRTA]] in Lawrence in 1968, and a predecessor of the [[Brockton Area Transit Authority|BAT]] in Brockton in 1969.) The MBTA began subsidizing [[Middlesex and Boston Street Railway]] service based in [[Newton, Massachusetts|Newton]] and [[Waltham, Massachusetts|Waltham]] in 1964, and took over the remaining routes in 1972. Five former Service Bus Lines routes in northeast suburbs were taken over in 1975, and a single Brush Hill Transportation line in [[Milton, Massachusetts|Milton]] was taken over in 1980.<ref name=netransit />

The geographic scope of the MBTA bus network has remained relatively constant since these additions, though many services have been created, discontinued, and modified during the MBTA era. The openings of new sections of the Red Line (1971, 1980, 1984–85) and the Orange Line (1975–77, 1987) have resulted in significant changes as routes were modified to serve new transfer stations.<ref name=netransit /> Three [[MBTA crosstown bus routes|limited-stop crosstown routes]] were created in 1994 as a prelude to the [[Urban Ring Project (MBTA)|Urban Ring Project]], a never-implemented circumferential [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) corridor. [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]] BRT service began in 2002 with conversion of existing bus service on Washington Street, and was expanded in 2004–05 with new routes serving the [[South Boston Transitway|Waterfront Tunnel]] in the Seaport District. The latter used [[dual-mode bus|dual-mode]] buses that operated as trolleybuses in the Waterfront Tunnel and as diesel buses on the surface. A second Silver Line service using the Washington Street corridor was added in 2009, and service from the Waterfront Tunnel to {{bts|Chelsea}} began in 2018 with a new surface busway in Chelsea.<ref name=netransit />

The BERy and MTA operated overnight [[Night service (public transport)|Owl service]] until 1960. From September 2001 to June 2005, the MBTA operated bus service on 17 routes (7 normal bus routes and 10 routes replicating subway lines) until 2:30am on Friday and Saturday nights. Similar service on the [[List of key MBTA bus routes|key routes]] was operated from March 2013 to March 2014.<ref name=netransit /> In 2017, the MBTA Board rejected a proposal to run all-night service on several routes with pulsed connections at a central hub.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/07/31/mbta-may-test-overnight-bus-service-commuter-rail-trips-foxborough/zLiX8p5cdoutmn1kYJqNbM/story.html |title=MBTA may test overnight buses, Foxborough commuter rail |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 1, 2017 |first=Adam |last=Vaccaro}}</ref>

In 2018, the MBTA began planning for the Bus Network Redesign, a reworking of the entire bus network.<ref name=bbroct2023 /> A draft plan was released in May 2022, with a revised plan in November 2022.<ref name=draftmap>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-05/2022-05-12-bnrd-proposed-regional-map.pdf|title=Draft Bus Network Redesign Map |date=May 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=nov2022map>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/2022-11-3-bnrd-revised-bus-network-map-7-mb.pdf |title=Revised Bus Network Fall 2022 |date=November 3, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> That plan was approved in December 2022. It increases overall service by 25%, with a doubling of the number of routes with high-frequency service.<ref name=bbroct2023 /> {{As of|October 2024}}, the first changes are planned to be made on December 15, 2024, in areas northeast of downtown Boston.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-10-07/phase-1-bus-network-redesign-launches-december-15-bring-more-frequent-service |title=Phase 1 of Bus Network Redesign Launches December 15 to Bring More Frequent Service, Better Routes |date=October 7, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The second phase is planned to cover most of Boston and Brookline; the third and south phases are tentatively planned to cover northern and southern suburbs.<ref name=april2024>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2024-04/12.%20DRAFT%202%20and%20FINAL_BNR%20Board%20Update%20April%202024%20-%2020240422.pdf |title=Better Bus Project and Bus Network Redesign |date=April 25, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Changes will take place through 2028.<ref name=bbroct2023>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-10/Better%20Bus%20Project%20-%20Board%20Update%20October%202023%2010.23.2023%205pm.pdf |title=Better Bus Project Overview |date=October 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/bus-network-redesign/phase-1-service-changes |title=Phase 1 Service Changes |date=April 2024 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

In 2022, the MBTA started cutting bus service due to a driver shortage resulting from a long-term retirement trend accelerated by the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts]]. Despite paying for training to get a [[commercial driver's license]] and offering a $4,500 signing bonus, it ended the year short about 350 drivers, plus about 400 more needed to increase service to implement a proposed bus network redesign. Experts said the shortage was caused by the failure to raise the starting hourly wage, and offer new hires full-time work instead of forcing all of them to start part-time. Drivers were also unhappy about lack of access to bathrooms and "split shifts" with unpaid time between morning and evening rush hour that was too short to go home.<ref>[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/01/26/metro/mbtas-aggressive-year-long-bus-driver-hiring-campaign-failed-black-hispanic-riders-are-paying-price/ MBTA’s ‘aggressive’ year-long bus driver hiring campaign failed. Black and Hispanic riders are paying the price.]</ref> The MBTA began hiring operators for full-time work in 2023.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-05-25/mbta-announces-summer-2023-bus-service-schedules-update-key-change-bus-operator |title=MBTA Announces Summer 2023 Bus Service Schedules Update, Key Change to Bus Operator Hiring Policy |date=May 25, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The number of bus drivers increased from about 1,350 in mid-2023 to about 1,500 in March 2024.<ref name=april2024 />

{{clear left}}

==Fleet==
{{clear}}
This is the current bus roster for the MBTA {{as of|2024|09|df=us|lc=y}}. All buses are {{convert|102|in|cm}} wide; most buses are {{convert|40|foot|adj=on}} length, while 117 are {{convert|60|foot|adj=on}} [[articulated bus]]es.<ref name=roster /> An additional 80 New Flyer 40-foot battery-electric buses were ordered in July 2023, with the first ten to be delivered in 2024 and the remainder in 2025–26. Thirty-two of those buses will have left-side doors for use in the [[Harvard bus tunnel]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2023-07-27/mbta-board-awards-contract-purchase-battery-electric-buses |title=MBTA Board Awards Contract to Purchase Battery Electric Buses |date=July 27, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-07/7.%20MBTA%20Bus%20Facility%20Modernization%20Program_Boardupdate_07-27-2023_v16.pdf |title=MBTA Battery Electric Bus Procurement Project Context and Award Vote |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=July 27, 2023}}</ref>
<!-- DO NOT add updates on individual buses here. This is a high-level overview intended for a general audience, without the details of the NETransit roster. ALL information added here must be must be supported by the NETransit roster or another reliable published source (i.e, not Facebook).-->
===Current===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Order Year!! Manufacturer!! Model!! class="unsortable" | Picture!! Fleet!! Qty.!! Active !! Propulsion!! Length (ft.)!! class="unsortable" |Notes
|-
| 2008
| rowspan="13" | [[New Flyer]]
| [[New Flyer Low Floor|D40LF]]
| [[File:MBTA route 455 bus on Western Avenue, May 2017.JPG|100px]]
| 0756–0910 
| 155
| 154
| Diesel
| 40
|
*All buses were overhauled in 2017–2020.<ref name=roster />
|-
| 2010
| DE60LFR
|[[File:MBTA New Flyer DE60LFR 1223 at Copley Square.jpg|100px]]
| 1200–1224 
| colspan="2" | 25
| rowspan="2" | [[Hybrid electric bus|Hybrid]]
| 60
|
*All buses were overhauled by Northeastern Bus Rebuilders in 2021–2023<ref name=roster />
|-
| 2014–2015
| [[New Flyer Xcelsior|XDE40]]
| [[File:MBTA route 77 bus in Arlington Center, March 2017.JPG|100px]]
| 1400–1459 
| colspan="2" | 60
| rowspan="3" | 40
|
*Buses being overhauled by Midwest Bus with completion expected in October 2024.<ref name=june2023>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-06/2023-06-07-judge-king-meeting-presentation-final.pdf |title=New Vehicle Procurements |pages=36–41 |date=June 7, 2023 |first=William |last=Wolfgang |work=Accessibility at the MBTA: Update on the MBTA's path towards compliance with the Daniels-Finegold v. MBTA settlement agreement |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
|-
|2016–2017
|XN40
|[[File:MBTA route 8 bus on Massachusetts Avenue, March 2022.JPG|100px]]
|1600–1774
| colspan="2" |175
|CNG
|
|-
|2016–2017
|XDE40
|[[File:MBTA 1845 at Dudley Square station, March 2017.jpg|100px]]
|1775–1924 &<br />3000–3005
| colspan="2" |156
| rowspan="3" |[[Hybrid electric bus|Hybrid]]
|
* 3000–3005 assigned to privately operated routes {{MBTABus|712}} and {{MBTABus|713}}<ref name="roster" />
|-
|2016–2017
| rowspan="2" |XDE60
|[[File:(USA-Massachusetts) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 1283 MA-(T)1283 SL5 2024-06-08.jpg|100px]]
|1250–1293
| colspan="2" |44
| rowspan="3" |60
|
* 1273–1293 used for [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]] Washington Street routes
|-
|2018
|[[File:MBTA_1294 at World Trade Center station, September 2018.jpg|100px]]
|1294
| colspan="2" |1
|
*Includes an extended-range battery.<ref name=roster />
*Used on the [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]].
|-
|2019
|XE60
|[[File:World Trade Center Outbound MBTA Silver Line Platform, July 2024.jpg|100px]]
|1295–1299
| colspan="2" |5
|[[Battery electric bus|Battery-electric]]
|
*Used on the [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]].
*Only buses that do not have bike racks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/bikes/bringing-your-bike-the-bus |title=Bringing Your Bike on the Bus |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |access-date=October 2, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|2019–2020
| rowspan="2" |XDE40
|[[File:MBTA route 89 bus on Broadway, April 2023.JPG|100px]]
|1925–2118
| colspan="2" |194
| rowspan="4" |[[Hybrid electric bus|Hybrid]]
| rowspan="2" |40
|
|-
|2020
|[[File:MBTA New Flyer XDE40 3125 at Lechmere station, March 2023.jpg|100px]]
|3100–3159
| colspan="2" |60
|
|-
|2022–2023
|XDE60
|[[File:MBTA New Flyer XDE60 1305 at Airport Station, August 2024.jpg|100px]]
|1300–1344
| colspan="2"|45
| 60
|
* Includes an extended-range battery.
*Used on the [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]].
|- 
| 2023
| XDE40
| [[File:MBTA 57 bus in Brighton Center August 2024.jpg|100px]]
| 3200–3359
| colspan="2"| 160
| 40
|
* Replaced 2006–2007 New Flyer diesel fleet.<ref name=roster />
|}

===Future===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Order Year!! Manufacturer!! Model!! class="unsortable" | Fleet!! Qty.!! Propulsion!! Length (ft.)!! class="unsortable" |Notes
|-
| 2024–2025
| rowspan="2"| [[New Flyer]]
| rowspan="2"| [[New Flyer Xcelsior|XE40]]
| 4200–4231
| 32
| rowspan="2"| [[Battery electric bus|Battery-electric]]
| rowspan="2"| 40
|
*Buses equipped with left-side doors to be operated out of North Cambridge Garage. First buses expected to be delivered in late November 2024, with the order scheduled for completion in 2025.<ref name=roster /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2024-09/GM%20Report%20to%20the%20Board%2009.26.2024%20v8.pdf |title=GM’s Report to the Board |date=September 26, 2024 |first=Phil |last=Eng |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
|-
| 2024–2026
| 4300–4347
| 48
|
*Five pilot buses expected to be delivered in 2024, with the order scheduled for completion in 2026.<ref name=roster />
|}

==Facilities==
[[File:MBTA bus districts.svg|thumb|right|MBTA bus routes grouped by the facility they operate from at peak hours (2016)
{{legend-col
|{{legend|#FFFF00|Albany}}
|{{legend|#55FF00|Arborway}}
|{{legend|#FFAA00|Cabot}}
|{{legend|#FF00C5|Charlestown}}
|{{legend|#A900D6|Fellsway}}
|{{legend|#FF0000|Lynn}}
|{{legend|#0070FF|Quincy}}
|{{legend|#00FFC5|Somerville}}
|{{legend|#A8A8A8|Southampton}}
|{{legend|#A83800|Private carriers}}
}}
]]
MBTA buses are operated out of eight facilities.<ref name=roster /> 

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Name
! Address
! Routes
! Times of Operation
|-
| Albany Street
| 421 Albany Street, Boston
| 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 43, 44, 45, 47, 55, 57, 59, 60, 65, 66, 171, 191, 193, 501, 504, 505, 553, 554, 556, 558, CT2, CT3
| Weekday rush hours and middays
|-
| Arborway
| 3600 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
| 14, 21, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 34E, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 (evenings), 40, 41, 42, 50, 51, 52
| rowspan="3" | Full-time
|-
| Cabot
| 275 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston
| 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 43, 44, 45, 47, 55, 57, 59, 60, 65, 66, 171, 191, 193, 501, 504, 505, 553, 554, 556, 558, CT2, CT3
|-
| Charlestown / Bennett (Somerville)
| 21 Arlington Avenue, Charlestown
| 61, 62, 64, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, 101, 104, 109, 110, 111, 112, 325, 326, 350, 351, 352<br />Also serves routes 90, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99, 100, 105, 106, 108, 132, 134, 136, 137, 411, and 430 when Fellsway Garage is closed
|-
| Fellsway
| 465 Salem Street, Medford
| 90, 94, 95, 96, 97, 99, 100, 105, 106, 108, 131, 132, 134, 136, 137, 354, 411, 430
| Weekday rush hours and middays
|-
| Lynn
| 985 Western Avenue, Lynn
| 114, 116, 117, 119, 120, 121, 424, 426, 428, 429, 434, 435, 436, 439, 441, 442, 450, 451, 455, 456, 465
| Full-time
|-
| Quincy
| 954 Hancock Street, Quincy
| 201, 202, 210, 211, 212, 214, 215, 216, 217, 220, 221, 222, 225, 226, 230, 236, 238, 240, 245
| rowspan="2" | Full-time
|-
| Southampton
| 230 Southampton Street, Boston
| 28, 39, [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]]
|-
|}

===Replacements===
The [[North Cambridge carhouse|North Cambridge bus facility]], which was used by [[trolleybuses in Greater Boston|trackless trolleys]] until March 2022, is to be modified for battery-electric buses. A $27.3 million contract was issued in October 2023, with completion expected in November 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-10/7.%20Final%20Board%20Deck_R53CN03%20-%20North%20Cambridge%20Battery%20Electric%20Bus%20Facility_2023_10-18.pdf |title=North Cambridge Battery Electric Bus Facility Project: Request for R53CN03 Construction Contract Approval |date=October 24, 2023 |first=Christopher E. |last=Brennan |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

The MBTA plans to replace Quincy Garage with a larger facility near [[Quincy Adams station]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2020-06/2020-01-29-quincy-community-meeting-v2-accessible.pdf |date=January 29, 2020 |title=MBTA Bus Facility Modernization Program: New Quincy Maintenance Facility |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> The parcel was purchased for $38.2 million in March 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-03/2021-03-29-fmcb-13-quincy-parcel-acquisition-accessible.pdf |title=MBTA Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility: Acquisition of Fee interest in Property at 599 Burgin Parkway, Quincy |date=March 29, 2021 |first=Richard |last=Henderson |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Early work, including demolition of an existing building at the site, was completed in mid-2022.<ref name=quincyoct2023 /> Bids in May 2022 came in higher than expected – $360 million versus $280 million – prompting the MBTA to switch to Construction Management at Risk bidding for the project.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-12/16.%20Quincy%20Bus%20Maintenance%20Facility%20-%20Board%20Presentation%20December%202022%20-%20Final%20Draft2.pdf |title=Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility Project Update |date=December 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> {{As of|October 2023}}, the work is expected to cost $299 million, with substantial completion in March 2027.<ref name=quincyoct2023>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-10/6.%20Board%20Deck_R17CN06-Quincy%20Bus%20Maintenance%20Facility%20Final%20GMP_2023-10-19.pdf |title=MBTA Contract No. R17CN06 – Construction Manager at Risk Services for the MBTA Quincy Bus Maintenance Facility Project: Final Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment |date=October 24, 2023 |pages=12, 15 |first=Christopher E. |last=Brennan |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

A replacement of Arborway Garage on-site is planned to be completed in 2028. It will expand the fleet at that garage from 118 CNG buses to 200 battery-electric buses, including articulated buses for routes 28, 32, and 39.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2023-07/2023-6-22-arborway-public-meeting-15-percent-design-update.pdf |title=New Arborway Bus Maintenance Facility and MBTA Bus Electrification Project: 15% Design Public Meeting |date=June 22, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> 

In July 2022, the MBTA indicated plans to purchase an adjacent parcel to expand Southampton Garage.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-07/10.%20202%20Southampton%20Street%20Parcel%20Acquisition%20Board%20Presentation-Short%20Version%207-14.pdf |title=Acquisition of Fee interest in Property at 202 Southampton Street, Boston |date=July 19, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

==Private operators==
[[File:Blue Hill Bus Lines 24 at Mattapan Terminal in 1967.jpg|thumb|right|A Blue Hill Bus Lines vehicle on the Canton–Mattapan route, now the #716 route, in 1967]]
{{see also|List of MBTA bus routes#Privately operated routes}}
Most local bus routes in Massachusetts outside the immediate MBTA operating area are operated by the state's other regional transit authorities (RTAs). However, some routes that connect with MBTA bus or subway service are operated by outside private contractors with partial subsidy by the MBTA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/private_bus/ |title=Private Bus |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726221339/http://mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/private_bus/ |archive-date=July 26, 2014}}</ref>

Four routes – the {{MBTABus|712}}, {{MBTABus|713}}, {{MBTABus|714}}, and {{MBTABus|716}} – are numbered like other MBTA buses. The four routes are primarily commuter routes which connect with other MBTA services at their inbound terminals.  They 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).<ref name="netransit">{{NETransit}}</ref> The 712 and 713 use MBTA-provided buses; the other routes do not.

Four suburban municipalities contract with outside operators for local circulator routes, most with partial MBTA subsidy. [[Bedford, Massachusetts|Bedford]] and [[Beverly, Massachusetts|Beverly]] run single routes, [[Burlington, Massachusetts|Burlington]] runs five routes, and [[Lexington, Massachusetts|Lexington]] runs six.<ref name=netransit />  Most are run by private operators, except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is part of the [[Cape Ann Transportation Authority]] system.  Additionally, a nonprofit shuttle is run in Boston's [[Mission Hill, Boston|Mission Hill]] neighborhood.<ref name=netransit />  Those routes appear on MBTA system maps and connect with MBTA services at designated transfer points, but are numbered separately and do not accept MBTA passes.

==Bus lanes==
[[File:MBTA route SL2 bus at World Trade Center station, December 2019.JPG|thumb|right|World Trade Center station in the South Boston Piers Transitway|alt=A bus in an underground bus station]]
Several sections of dedicated right-of-way for MBTA buses have been opened in the 21st century. Two sections of the Silver Line have off-street busways: The 2004-opened {{convert|1.2|miles|adj=on}} [[Silver Line (MBTA)#Waterfront|South Boston Piers Transitway]] tunnel in the Seaport (used by the {{MBTABus|SL1}}, {{MBTABus|SL2}}, {{MBTABus|SL3}}, and {{MBTABus|SLW}}), and a 2018-opened {{convert|1.1|miles|adj=on}} surface busway in [[Chelsea, Massachusetts|Chelsea]] used by the SL3. A direct ramp to the [[Ted Williams Tunnel]] is [[Silver Line (MBTA)#ramp|proposed for use]] by the SL1 and SL3.
[[File:MBTA route 87 bus at Davis Square, November 2020.jpg|thumb|right|Route 87 bus at the Holland Avenue queue jump at Davis Square in 2020|alt=A bus on a red bus lane in an urban square]]
[[File:MBTA 29 bus at Bray St.jpg|thumb|An MBTA 29 bus, followed by another bus, arrives at the Bray St stop on Columbus Avenue, on the center-running bus lanes there.]]
A number of dedicated bus lanes on surface streets are also in use:
*[[Washington Street (Boston)|Washington Street, Boston]]: 
**{{convert|1.6|miles}} between [[Melnea Cass Boulevard]] and Kneeland Street (including a short southbound contraflow section), with an additional {{convert|0.3|miles}} northbound-only between Stuart Street and Temple Place. The lanes are used by Silver Line routes {{MBTABus|SL4}} and {{MBTABus|SL5}}, as well as local routes {{MBTABus|8}}, {{MBTABus|10}}, and {{MBTABus|11}}. The southern section was opened in 2002 with the introduction of Silver Line service; the portion north of Herald Street (northbound) and Marginal Street (southbound) was added in mid-2020 along with a lane on Temple Place.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-07-06/new-bus-and-bike-lanes-established-washington-street-downtown-boston-and-chinatown |title=New Bus and Bike Lanes Established on Washington Street in Downtown Boston and Chinatown To Improve Silver Line and Traffic Safety |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |date=July 6, 2020}}</ref>
**{{convert|0.9|miles}} of northbound morning-peak-only bus/bike lane between Roslindale and {{bts|Forest Hills}} was added in June 2018 following a test that May. The section is used by routes {{MBTABus|30}}, {{MBTABus|34}}, {{MBTABus|34E}}, {{MBTABus|35}}, {{MBTABus|36}}, {{MBTABus|37}}, {{MBTABus|40}}, {{MBTABus|50}}, and {{MBTABus|51}}.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.boston.gov/news/permanent-bus-lane-be-established-washington-street-roslindale |title=PERMANENT BUS LANE TO BE ESTABLISHED ON WASHINGTON STREET IN ROSLINDALE |date=June 7, 2018 |publisher=City of Boston Transportation Department}}</ref> {{convert|1.5|miles}} of southbound evening-peak-only lane was added in early 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://walkuproslindale.org/weblog/2021/06/08/roslindale-bus-improvements/ |title=Roslindale Bus Improvements |publisher=WalkUP Roslindale |date=June 8, 2021}}</ref>
*Essex Street, Boston: Two eastbound segments totaling {{convert|0.2|miles}}, opened in 2009 for use by the SL4.<ref name=directconnect>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2009-10-13/patrick-murray-administration-mayor-menino-launch-silver-line-direct-connect |title=PATRICK-MURRAY ADMINISTRATION, MAYOR MENINO LAUNCH SILVER LINE DIRECT CONNECT SERVICE TO SOUTH STATION |date=October 13, 2009 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*Broadway, Sweetser Circle, and Main Street, Everett: A {{convert|1.1|miles|adj=on}} morning-peak-only southbound bus lane on Broadway from Henry Street to Sweetser Circle (routes {{MBTABus|97}}, 104, 109, {{MBTABus|110}}, {{MBTABus|112}}) was opened in 2017 after a 2016 test.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/bus-lane-everett-just-did-it/ |title=Bus lane: Everett just did it |first=Bruce |last=Mohl |date=September 17, 2018 |newspaper=CommonWealth Magazine}}</ref> A {{convert|0.4|miles|adj=on}} northbound evening-peak-only lane on Broadway from Sweetser Circle to Chelsea Street, a {{convert|0.15|miles|adj=on}} northbound evening-peak-only lane on Main Street from Sweetser Circle to Oakes Street (routes {{MBTABus|99}}, 105, {{MBTABus|106}}), and an all-day lane around Sweetser Circle were added in October 2020.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-09-25/groundbreaking-network-bus-lanes-everett-improve-transit-nearly-ten-thousand-riders |title=Groundbreaking for Network of Bus Lanes in Everett to Improve Transit for Nearly Ten Thousand Riders |date=September 25, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/10/30/metro/chaotic-rotary-gets-bus-lane/ |title=A once-chaotic rotary gets a bus lane |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 30, 2020 |first=Adam |last=Vaccaro}}</ref>
*Prospect Street, Somerville: a {{convert|0.1|mile|adj=on}} northbound bus/bike lane (routes {{MBTABus|91}}, {{MBTABus|CT2}}) opened in 2017.<ref name=quick />
*Mount Auburn Street and Belmont Street, Cambridge and Watertown: Three segments totaling {{convert|0.6|miles}}, installed in October 2018 for routes {{MBTABus|71}} and {{MBTABus|73}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Transportation/mtauburnstreetbusprioritydemonstration |title=Mt. Auburn Street Bus Priority Pilot |publisher=Cambridge Community Development Department |date=2020}}</ref>
*[[Massachusetts Avenue (metropolitan Boston)|Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge and Arlington]]: {{convert|0.5|miles}} of southbound bus lane from Sidney Street to Memorial Drive for route {{MBTABus|1}}, opened in November 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/11/29/big-change-for-bikes-and-buses-comes-mass-ave-cambridge/McTWNFteDBkrh1OQYEin4K/story.html |title='Big change' for bikes, buses comes to Mass. Ave. in Cambridge |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=November 29, 2018 |first=Steve |last=Annear}}</ref> {{convert|0.3|miles}} of southbound morning-peak-only bus/bike lane from Varnum Street to [[Alewife Brook Parkway]] for route {{MBTABus|77}} was installed in October 2019 after a successful test a year before.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/News/News/9712/16 |title=Priority Bus Lane Is Now Operational |publisher=Town of Arlington, Massachusetts |date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> {{convert|0.5|miles|1}} of bus lanes between Dudley Street and Alewife Brook Parkway (route 1) opened in November 2021.<ref name=dec2021 />
*Sullivan Square, Boston: Three short sections of bus-only turn lane on Beacham Street (routes {{MBTABus|86}}, 91, CT2), Maffa Way ({{MBTABus|89}}, {{MBTABus|90}}, {{MBTABus|95}}, {{MBTABus|101}}), and Main Street ({{MBTABus|92}}, {{MBTABus|93}}, {{MBTABus|104}}, {{MBTABus|105}}, {{MBTABus|109}}) for buses entering [[Sullivan Square station]], installed as part of a 2018–2019 reconfiguration of the station.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/sullivan-square-busway-and-parking-lot-reconstruction |title=Sullivan Square Busway and Parking Lot Reconstruction |date=2019 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*Brighton Avenue, Boston: {{convert|0.6|miles}} of bus/bike lanes between Commonwealth Avenue ({{bts|Packards Corner}}) and Union Square, used by routes {{MBTABus|57}}, {{MBTABus|57A}}, and {{MBTABus|66}}. The eastbound lane was opened in June 2019, followed by the westbound lane that October.<ref name=priority />
*Broadway, Somerville: {{convert|0.9|miles}} of bus/bike lanes between [[Magoun Square]] and Fellsway West for routes {{MBTABus|89}} and {{MBTABus|101}}, opened in August 2019.<ref name=priority />
*North Washington Street, Boston: {{convert|0.15|miles}} of southbound bus/bike lane (route 92, 93, {{MBTABus|111}}, {{MBTABus|426}}, and {{MBTABus|428}}) from Causeway Street to Beverly Street opened in August 2019.<ref name=priority /> A {{convert|0.3|mile|adj=on}} northbound bus lane from Sudbury Street to Causeway Street opened in August 2021.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-08-24/massdot-mbta-and-city-boston-announce-the-completion-new-outbound-bus-lane-north |title=MassDOT, MBTA, and City of Boston Announce The Completion of a New Outbound Bus Lane on North Washington Street To Improve Commutes for Thousands of Riders as The Region Re-opens |date=August 24, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*Summer Street, Boston: {{convert|0.14|miles}} of westbound bus lane between Dorchester Avenue and Atlantic Avenue for routes {{MBTABus|4}} and {{MBTABus|7}}, opened in October 2019.<ref name=priority>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/bus-transit-priority |title=Bus Transit Priority |access-date=November 24, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> An additional {{convert|1.4|miles}} of bus/truck lanes between Dorchester Avenue and East First Street opened as a six-month pilot in September 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2023/08/Summer%20Street%20Pilot%20Program_brochure.pdf |title=Summer Street Bus/Truck Lane Pilot |date=September 2023 |publisher=Boston Transportation Department}}</ref> In September 2024, the city indicated that the pilot had been unsuccessful and that the bus/truck lanes were to be removed. Transit travel times did not improve due to large numbers of private vehicles illegally using the lanes. Transit lanes on the corridor would be considered later with the planned frequency increase and extension of route 7 as part of the bus network redesign, as well as the potential for automated bus lane enforcement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2024/09/BTD_TTOC_Summer%20Street%20Report%202024%20Final.pdf |title=Summer Street Bus/Truck Lane Pilot Program |date=September 2024 |publisher= City of Boston Streets Cabinet}}</ref>
*[[Davis Square]], Somerville: queue jumps on Holland Street (routes {{MBTABus|87}} and {{MBTABus|88}}) and College Avenue (89, {{MBTABus|94}}, {{MBTABus|96}}) opened in 2020.<ref name=quick />
*Broadway, Chelsea: a {{convert|0.2|miles|adj=on}} westbound bus lane from 5th Street to 3rd Street for routes {{MBTABus|111}}, {{MBTABus|114}}, {{MBTABus|116}}, and {{MBTABus|117}} opened in November 2020.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-11-12/first-mbta-bus-lane-broadway-chelsea-will-improve-commutes-thousands-riders-and |title=First MBTA Bus Lane on Broadway in Chelsea will Improve Commutes for Thousands of Riders and Essential Workers |date=November 12, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*[[Tobin Memorial Bridge]]: {{convert|1.1|miles}} of westbound bus lane for route 111 (a 12-month pilot) opened in December 2020.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-12-08/mbta-and-massdot-announce-tobin-bridge-bus-lane-pilot |title=MBTA and MassDOT Announce Tobin Bridge Bus Lane Pilot |date=December 8, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*Malden: a {{convert|0.2|mile|adj=on}} westbound bus/bike lane opened on Florence Street (routes {{MBTABus|99}}, {{MBTABus|104}}, {{MBTABus|105}}) in December 2020, followed by bidirectional lanes on [[Massachusetts Route 60|Centre Street]] (routes 99, 104, 105, {{MBTABus|106}}, {{MBTABus|108}}, {{MBTABus|131}}, {{MBTABus|137}}, {{MBTABus|411}}, {{MBTABus|430}}) in 2022.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-12-10/massdot-mbta-and-city-malden-collaborate-implement-new-bus-lanes-bus-network-and |title=MassDOT, MBTA, and City of Malden Collaborate to Implement New Bus Lanes, Bus Network, and Roadway Safety Improvements through Shared Streets & Spaces Program |date=December 10, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916031636/https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/09/09/bike-bus-lanes-increasing-in-greater-boston-malden-city-council-says-no-to-ban/ |archive-date=September 16, 2023 |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/09/09/bike-bus-lanes-increasing-in-greater-boston-malden-city-council-says-no-to-ban/ |title=Bike, bus lanes increasing in Greater Boston; Malden City Council says no to ban |newspaper=Boston Herald |date=September 9, 2023 |first=Lance |last=Reynolds}}</ref>
*Washington Street, Somerville: several queue jumps and sections of bus/bike lanes (routes {{MBTABus|86}}, {{MBTABus|91}}, {{MBTABus|CT2}}) were added in 2020-21, with further additions in 2024.<ref name=quick>{{cite web |url=https://somervoice.somervillema.gov/quick-build-bus-lanes |title=COVID-19 Mobility Response: Quick-Build Bus Lanes |publisher=City of Somerville}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-06-20/mbta-and-city-somerville-announce-bus-lane-improvements-washington-street |title=MBTA and City of Somerville Announce Bus Lane Improvements on Washington Street |date=June 20, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*North Common Street, South Common Street, and Market Street, Lynn: {{convert|0.75|miles}} of bus/bike lanes for routes {{MBTABus|426}}/{{MBTABus|426W}} and {{MBTABus|455}} opened in April 2021.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-04-15/city-lynn-massdot-and-mbta-announce-completion-first-ever-bus-lane-lynn-and-network |title=City of Lynn, MassDOT, and MBTA Announce Completion of First-ever Bus Lane in Lynn and a Network of Bike Lanes to Improve Commutes for Thousands of Essential Workers |date=April 15, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*[[Massachusetts Route 38|Mystic Avenue, Somerville and Medford]]: a {{convert|1.9|mile|adj=on}} pilot of a morning-peak-only southbound bus lane for route 95 opened in June 2021.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/dedicated-bus-lane-pilot-program-on-mystic-avenue-to-begin-on-monday-june-21-2021/ |title=Dedicated Bus Lane Pilot Program on Mystic Avenue to Begin on Monday, June 21, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |date=June 16, 2021}}</ref>
*[[Columbus Avenue (Boston)|Columbus Avenue]], Boston: {{convert|0.7|miles}} of center-running lanes between Walnut Street and {{bts|Jackson Square}} (routes {{MBTABus|22}}, {{MBTABus|29}}, {{MBTABus|44}}) with boarding islands opened in October 2021 – the first center bus lanes in New England.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2021/10/29/mbta-columbus-avenue-center-bus-lane |title='A faster, more reliable ride': MBTA debuts 1st center-running bus lane |date=October 29, 2021 |first=Dan |last=Guzman |newspaper=WBUR}}</ref>
*[[Massachusetts Route 107|Broadway]], [[Revere, Massachusetts|Revere]]: {{convert|1.0|mile}} pilot of southbound morning peak bus/bike lane from Revere Street to near [[Revere Beach Parkway]] for routes {{MBTABus|116}}, {{MBTABus|117}}, {{MBTABus|119}}, and 411 opened in November 2021.<ref>{{cite press release |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301225625/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/massdot-announces-2-8-million-in-shared-winter-streets-and-spaces-program-funding-awards/ |archive-date=March 1, 2021 |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/massdot-announces-2-8-million-in-shared-winter-streets-and-spaces-program-funding-awards/ |title=MassDOT announces $2.8 million in Shared Winter Streets and Spaces Program funding awards |date=March 1, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-10-21/mbta-and-city-revere-announce-start-southbound-am-peak-bus-lane-pilot-broadway |title=MBTA and City of Revere Announce Start of Southbound AM Peak Bus Lane Pilot on Broadway, First-ever Bus Lane in The City, To Improve Commutes for Thousands of Essential Workers |date=October 21, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> It was made permanent in August 2022, with additional markings installed in September 2023. The lane was extended south under Revere Beach Parkway to the Chelsea border in June 2024.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-06-10/mbta-and-city-revere-announce-extension-bus-lane-broadway-revere-beach-parkway |title=MBTA and City of Revere Announce Extension of Bus Lane on Broadway to Revere Beach Parkway Interchange |date=June 10, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*[[Massachusetts Route 107|Western Avenue]] in Lynn: {{convert|0.4|miles}} of bus lanes between Ida Street and the [[Belden Bly Bridge]] (routes {{MBTABus|424}}, {{MBTABus|450}}/{{MBTABus|450W}}, 455) opened in 2021–22.<ref name=feb2021 />
*[[Massachusetts Route 2|Route 2]] eastbound ramp to [[Alewife station]]: {{convert|0.25|miles}} of bus lane for routes {{MBTABus|62}}, {{MBTABus|67}}, {{MBTABus|76}}, and {{MBTABus|78}} was opened in November 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/arlington/massdot-installing-bus-lane-route-2-ramp-arlington |title=MassDOT Installing Bus Lane On Route 2 Ramp In Arlington |first=Alex |last=Newman |date=November 9, 2021 |newspaper=Arlington Patch}}</ref><ref name=dec2021>{{cite web |url=https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Transit-Bulletin---December-2021-transit-news-and-updates.html?soid=1118232230775&aid=GIXnGkN4ipo |title=Transit Bulletin |date=December 2021 |publisher=City of Cambridge Community Development Department}}</ref>
*[[Interstate 93 in Massachusetts|Interstate 93]] north of Boston: A two-year pilot began in December 2021 for use of the [[breakdown lane]] by MBTA buses (routes {{MBTABus|325}}, {{MBTABus|326}},  {{MBTABus|352}}, and {{MBTABus|354}}), [[MVRTA]] buses, and [[Logan Express]] buses between Somerville and I-95. The lanes can be used during peak periods when traffic speeds are below {{convert|35|mph}}.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/massdot-highway/two-year-bus-on-shoulder-travel-pilot-beginning-week-of-december-20th/ |title=Two-Year Bus-on-Shoulder Travel Pilot Beginning Week of December 20th |date=December 9, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref>
*Dedicated lanes were added on several streets in Boston during the August–September 2022 closure of the Orange Line, of which four were made permanent: Boylston Street from Ring Road to Clarendon Street (routes {{MBTABus|9}}, {{MBTABus|39}}, and {{MBTABus|55}}), Clarendon from Boylston to Columbus Avenue (39 and 55), St. James Avenue from near Berkeley Street to Dartmouth Street (9, {{MBTABus|10}}, 39, 55, {{MBTABus|501}}, and {{MBTABus|504}}), and Huntington Avenue from Brigham Circle to Gainsborough Street (39 and {{MBTABus|66}}).<ref name=afterOL>{{cite press release |url=https://www.boston.gov/news/city-boston-announces-permanent-street-changes-following-orange-line-shutdown |title=City of Boston Announces Permanent Street Changes Following Orange Line Shutdown |publisher=City of Boston |date=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
*Washington Street, Brookline: {{convert|0.25|miles}} of bus lanes at Brookline Village (routes {{MBTABus|60}}, {{MBTABus|65}}, {{MBTABus|66}}) were installed in June 2024 as a one-year pilot.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-06-20/mbta-and-town-brookline-announce-launch-dedicated-bus-lane-pilot-gateway-east |title=MBTA and Town of Brookline Announce Launch of Dedicated Bus Lane Pilot in Gateway East |date=June 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
*2nd Street, Everett and Chelsea: {{convert|0.9|miles}} of westbound bus lane and a shorter eastbound bus lane for route {{MBTABus|104}} were added in October–November 2024.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-10-21/mbta-begins-bus-lane-work-new-route-104-bus-service-through-everett-and-chelsea |title=
MBTA Begins Bus Lane Work for NEW Route 104 Bus Service through Everett and Chelsea |date=October 21, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

An additional {{convert|1.0|mile}} of center lanes on Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street between Jackson Square and {{bts|Ruggles}} is planned for construction in 2025–26.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/columbus-avenue-bus-lanes/update/phase-2-tremontcolumbus-bus-lanes-30-design |title=Phase 2 of Tremont/Columbus Bus Lanes at 30% Design |date=December 14, 2023 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Center bus lanes are also funded for [[Massachusetts Route 1A|Lynnway]] in Lynn, and proposed for [[Massachusetts Route 28|Blue Hill Avenue]] in Boston between Grove Hall and {{bts|Mattapan}}.<ref name=feb2021>{{cite press release |url=http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/massdot-announces-3-million-in-shared-winter-streets-and-spaces-program-awards/ |title=MassDOT announces $3 Million in Shared Winter Streets and Spaces Program awards |date=December 28, 2020 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228002422/http://blog.mass.gov/transportation/uncategorized/massdot-announces-3-million-in-shared-winter-streets-and-spaces-program-awards/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://mass.streetsblog.org/2021/07/14/state-agencies-seek-to-transform-the-lynnway-with-new-bike-path-and-bus-rapid-transit/ |title=State Agencies Seek to Transform the Lynnway With New Bike Path and Bus Rapid Transit |newspaper=Streetsblog |date=July 14, 2021 |first=Christian |last=MilNeil}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mass.gov/news/federal-funding-approved-for-lynnway-multimodal-corridor-project |title=Federal Funding Approved for Lynnway Multimodal Corridor Project |date=August 11, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/09/27/metro/federal-government-rejected-funding-major-blue-hill-avenue-bus-project-now-what/ |title=The federal government rejected funding for a major Blue Hill Avenue bus project. Now what? |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=September 27, 2020 |first=Adam |last=Vaccaro}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/28/metro/who-should-own-road-seaport-trucks-or-buses/ |title=Who should own the road in the Seaport, trucks or buses? |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 28, 2020 |first1=Adam |last1=Vaccaro |first2=Tim |last2=Logan}}</ref> Additional lanes in Boston announced in 2020 but not yet implemented include Malcolm X Boulevard between {{bts|Roxbury Crossing}} and {{bts|Nubian Square}}, Warren Street between Nubian Square and Grove Hall, and Hyde Park Avenue between Forest Hills and Metropolitan Avenue.<ref name=14miles>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-08-27/mbta-and-cities-boston-somerville-everett-chelsea-rapidly-construct-14-miles-bus |title=MBTA and Cities of Boston, Somerville, Everett, Chelsea to Rapidly Construct 14 Miles of Bus Lanes in Unprecedented Regional Effort to Improve Public Health, Transit Reliability, Multimodal Access in the Wake of COVID-19 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|MBTA Bus}}
* [http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/ MBTA – bus schedules and maps]
* [https://mbta.com/projects/better-bus-project MBTA – Better Bus Project]

{{MBTA}}
{{Massachusetts-Rhode Island transit agencies}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:MBTA bus]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in the Boston area]]