Beginner's Guide to the Bus
Whether you’re getting to work, catching a meeting, or catching up with friends, MBTA buses can help get you around Boston and its surrounding communities.
If you need assistance during your trip, don’t hesitate to ask your bus operator or MBTA staff for help.
Getting to Know MBTA Bus Service
Wherever you’re going in Greater Boston, buses can help get you there. Here are some basics of the system to help you get the most out of your trip.
Bus schedules are available in several formats:
- On schedule pages on our website: Simply click on any route to see pick-up times and real-time bus locations.
- As PDFs: Select your route online, and download a PDF on the right side of the page.
- Paper printouts: Schedules for all lines are available at Aquarium, Back Bay, Harvard, North Station, Park Street, and South Station. Schedules for nearby routes are available at most subway stations, municipal buildings, libraries, and malls. You can also request regular and large-print schedules from Customer Support.
On the busy streets of Boston, delays and traffic can impact bus arrival times. We recommend using a real-time app, like the MBTA-endorsed Transit app, or the website as your departure time approaches to track the location of your bus.
On PDF and paper schedules, there are several letter designations that give more information about certain trips. For example:
- Times marked with an “s” indicate buses that DO NOT run during school vacations.
- Times marked with a “w” indicate buses that wait at T stations for the last train to arrive before departing.
If you have questions about a route or schedule, call Customer Service at 617-222-3200.
Did you know? Many streetcar lines that once ran through Boston’s streets exist as bus routes today. Bus service began on Route 9 from City Point in place of streetcars in 1953. And the 77 to Harvard from Arlington Heights was converted from streetcar to bus in 1955.
Local Buses only travel within Boston and the communities in the immediate area. Express buses make stops in suburbs and communities outside the city and then drive directly to downtown Boston.
If you are riding an Express Bus locally (you board and exit the bus before it reaches the highway), you can pay the Local Bus fare. Let the driver know your exit stop to pay the lower fare.
You might be confused to find the Silver Line listed with train routes sometimes, but it's actually a bus! Technically, it's a bus rapid transit system, which means part of its route is on its own dedicated lane or road. There are 5 routes, and fares vary depending on which route you take.
Passengers traveling on SL1, SL2, and SL3 buses pay the standard MBTA subway fare.
Passengers traveling on SL4 and SL5 buses pay the standard MBTA bus fare.
Some Silver Line stops are underground and use fare gates, just like subway stations.
The SL1 picks up and drops off at every Logan Airport terminal, with connections to the Red Line and Commuter Rail at South Station in downtown Boston.
Service from Logan Airport is always free.
If you're headed to Logan Airport, transfers from the Red Line to the SL1 are free.
The SL3 has a stop at Airport Station, which connects to every airport terminal with the Massport Shuttle.
Learn more about getting to Logan Airport
Choosing Your Bus and Payment Method
Local Buses make up the majority of the T's bus service, but there are also Express bus routes.
A 1-way trip costs between $1.70 – $4.25 depending on the route. Several pass options are available. Reduced fares are available for eligible riders.
At Your Stop
There are a few things to remember when you’re finding your stop and catching the bus. Here’s what to look for and expect at an MBTA bus stop.
Most bus stops are labeled with white, black, red, and yellow signs with a large “T” logo. Signs include a list of the bus routes that serve that particular stop. Many bus stops also have shelters.
Stops at hub stations are a little bit different. Some are located on busways, which are busier than street stops because multiple routes access the same area. And some have fare vending machines and digital arrival and departure signs. You can wait for your bus near the sign that has your route number on it.
On the Bus
We hope your journey on the bus is comfortable and convenient. Once you’re onboard, there are some things to keep in mind.
Local Bus and Silver Line fares are paid at the onboard fare box at the front of the bus. At underground Silver Line stops, you pay at a fare gate to access the platform.
CharlieCard
Tap your card on the fare box target to pay your fare. The display will show how much value remains on your card.
CharlieTicket
With the orange arrow facing up and away from you, insert your ticket into the fare box ticket slot to pay your fare. Your ticket will be returned after the machine reads it. The display will show how much value remains on your ticket.
Did you know? If you're not sure if your fare payment went through, listen for the beeps: 1 long beep means your payment was successful, 3 quick beeps means the machine wasn't able to process your payment. You may need to try again or load more money on your pass.
Cash
The fare amount is displayed on the fare box. Insert bills and coins into the marked slots on the fare box.
If you expect to pay more than the required one-way fare, you can load value and keep your change on a CharlieCard provided onboard.
Stops may be requested by pressing the yellow or gray strips located near the windows of the bus, or the red “Stop” buttons located on vertical handrails. If you need help finding your stop, ask the operator for assistance.
Planning an Accessible Trip
The entire MBTA bus fleet is accessible to people with disabilities, and we offer trip planning assistance to help you get the most out of your journey.
