View source for MBTA key bus routes

{{Short description|High-frequency bus routes around Boston}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
[[File:MBTA 1 bus at Massachusetts Avenue.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Route 1, which runs on Massachusetts Avenue, is one of the busiest MBTA bus routes, with service every 8 minutes during rush hour]]

'''Key bus routes of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority''' ([[Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority|MBTA]]) system were the 15 routes that had high ridership and higher frequency standards than other bus lines, according to the 2004 MBTA Service Policy.<ref name=2004policy>{{cite web|url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/Documents/Service_Plan/Chapter_3.pdf |title=MBTA Service Delivery Policy – 2004 Update|date=2004 |publisher=MBTA |pages=17–18|access-date=January 16, 2018}}</ref> Together, they accounted for roughly 40% of the MBTA's total bus ridership.<ref name=":3" /> These key bus routes ensured basic geographic coverage with frequent service in the [[Population density|densest]] areas of [[Boston]], and connected to other MBTA services to give access to other areas throughout the region.<ref name=policy>{{cite web |url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/2006%20Service%20Delivery%20Policy(1).pdf |title=Service Delivery Policy |date=2006-07-13 |publisher=MBTA |pages=3, 26–27 |access-date=2008-10-31 |archive-date=2012-03-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331112916/http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/2006%20Service%20Delivery%20Policy(1).pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=FOCUS 40 STATE OF THE SYSTEM REPORT: BUS |url=https://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/49/Docs/Focus40BusReport.pdf |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20151219204112/http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/49/Docs/Focus40BusReport.pdf |archive-date=2015-12-19 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=www.massdot.state.ma.us}}</ref>

In recognition of their function as part of the backbone MBTA service, the key bus routes were added to newer basic route maps installed in subway stations and other public locations. These schematic route maps show the rail rapid transit routes, bus rapid transit routes, commuter rail services, and key bus routes. The key routes had been treated as a distinct category for the purpose of service improvement, such as trial runs of late-night service, and due to the high volume of passenger traffic they carry, both individual routes and the category as a whole have been the subjects of [[urban planning]] and [[transportation engineering]] studies. As part of the implementation of the MBTA's Bus Network Redesign program in 2024, the key bus route terminology is being phased out and replaced by a general high-frequency route network.

==History==
[[File:2013 unofficial MBTA subway map by Michael Kvrivishvili.png|thumb|right|The MBTA began adding the key bus routes to its rapid transit map in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://archive.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/21/MBTAmapwithkeybusroutes/|title=MBTA map with key bus routes|date=2009-09-21|website=[[Boston.com]]|language=en|access-date=2017-12-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.metro-magazine.com/bus/news/283838/mbta-updates-system-maps-signage|title=MBTA updates system maps, signage|date=2009-09-21|work=METRO Magazine|access-date=2017-12-30}}</ref> This is a 2013 draft by Michael Kvrivishvili, modified into the official map in 2014, that shows the key routes as thinner lines on the rapid transit map.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://legacy.wbur.org/2013/10/07/new-t-map|title=The MBTA Has A New System Map|date=2013-10-07|work=[[WBUR]]|access-date=2017-12-30}}</ref>]]
In November 2006, the MBTA launched a concerted effort to improve service quality on key bus routes.<ref name="lsa">{{cite web|url=http://www.livablestreets.info/files/nov06_MBTA_keybusroutesimprovementprogram.pdf|title=Key Bus Routes Improvement Program|date=November 2006|publisher=LivableStreets|access-date=2008-10-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721220829/http://www.livablestreets.info/files/nov06_MBTA_keybusroutesimprovementprogram.pdf|archive-date=2011-07-21}}</ref> The 2008 Service Plan recommended improvements for various lines, including upgrading the 31 bus to key route standards.<ref name=policy08>{{cite web|url=http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/ServicePlan08.pdf|title=Preliminary 2008 Service Plan|date=Fall 2008|publisher=MBTA|page=8|access-date=2008-10-31|archive-date=2008-09-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908100943/http://www.mbta.com/uploadedFiles/About_the_T/T_Projects/T_Projects_List/ServicePlan08.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> A second round of upgrades, entitled the Key Routes Improvement Project and costing $10 million in all, was supported by the [[American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/yourtown/news/east_boston/2011/11/proposed_mbta_bus_route_change.html|title=Proposed MBTA bus route changes face community opposition|last=Fox|first=Jeremy C.|date=2011-11-16|work=[[Boston.com]]|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/17/mbta-working-improve-heavily-used-bus-routes/jL595JEOjjhxqcWK5QvF1M/story.html|title=MBTA working to improve heavily used bus routes|last=Rocheleau|first=Matt|date=2013-06-17|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=2017-12-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622030034/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/06/17/mbta-working-improve-heavily-used-bus-routes/jL595JEOjjhxqcWK5QvF1M/story.html|archive-date=2013-06-22|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcmahonassociates.com/projects/mbta-key-bus-route-improvement-program|title=::McMahon Transport Engineers & Planners|website=www.mcmahonassociates.com|access-date=23 April 2018}}</ref> The [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]] services were originally considered part of this program,<ref>{{Cite thesis|title=Impact analysis of MBTA 2009 Key Bus Route Initiative program|last1=Krysinski|first1=Yann|last2=Luck|first2=Sebastian|date=2011-03-25|last3=Shepard-Ohta|first3=Toshi|last4=Woods|first4=Gregory|publisher=Massachusetts Institute of Technology |hdl = 1721.1/64568|type=Thesis }}</ref> but were later split off into a separate enhancement project. The initial Key Routes Improvement Project was concluded in 2013, with some planned upgrades not being made.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Rosenblum|first1=Jeffrey L.|last2=Allen|first2=Duncan W.|last3=Bennett|first3=Tegin L.|last4=Warade|first4=Ritesh K.|last5=Stoughton|first5=Cleo M.|date=2015-01-01|title=Method for Assessing Bus Delay in Mixed Traffic to Identify Transit Priority Improvement Locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts|journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board|volume=2533|pages=60–67|doi=10.3141/2533-07|s2cid=107827857|issn=0361-1981}}</ref> Due to these changes, the reliability of service (as measured by adherence to posted service frequencies) has been found to be greater on the Key Routes than on others, with 75% versus 61% respectively in June 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2017/07/07/riders-are-yet-to-reap-rewards-from-bakers-focus.html|title=Riders are yet to reap rewards from Baker's focus on the MBTA|last=Seiffert|first=Don|date=2017-07-07|website=[[Boston Business Journal]]|access-date=2017-12-19}}</ref>

A 2012 statistical analysis found that proximity to key bus routes was inversely correlated to [[taxicab]] trip generation, whereas taxicab trip generation actually increased with proximity to bus routes overall, suggesting that only the routes with highest frequency were able to compete with taxi service among customers with the option to choose.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Austin|first1=Drew|last2=Zegras|first2=P.|date=2012-11-09|title=Taxicabs as Public Transportation in Boston, Massachusetts|journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board|volume=2277|pages=65–74|doi=10.3141/2277-08|s2cid=111350350|issn=0361-1981}}</ref>

In April 2014, extended late-night service on the key bus routes and rapid transit routes was announced, to be operated on a one-year trial basis with service continuation depending on late-night ridership and on corporate sponsorship.<ref name="Annear">{{cite web|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/03/13/late-night-mbta-service-march-28/|title=Date Set For New Late-Night MBTA Service|last=Annear|first=Steve|date=March 13, 2014|work=Boston|publisher=Boston Magazine|access-date=2014-03-15|archive-date=2016-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101073850/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/03/13/late-night-mbta-service-march-28/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americaninno.com/boston/mbta-15-key-bus-routes-for-late-night-weekend-service/|title=All You Need to Know about the Planned MBTA Late-Night Bus Service|last=Boroyan|first=Nate|date=2013-12-03|website=[[BostInno]]|access-date=2017-12-17}}</ref> {{As of|2015|04|df=us}}, late-night service was cut back from 2:30am to 2:00am, and extended hours were dropped from 5 of the 15 key bus routes.<ref name="Dumcius">{{cite web|url=http://www.wbur.org/2015/04/15/mbta-scaling-back-late-night-service|title=MBTA Scaling Back Late-Night Service|last1=Dumcius|first1=Gintautas|website=90.9 WBUR|date=15 April 2015 |access-date=2015-04-20}}</ref> Late-night service was discontinued altogether in March 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.clf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/FTA-Complaint-on-MBTA-Late-Night-Service.pdf|title=Complaint to the Federal Transit Administration|date=2016-07-26|website=[[Conservation Law Foundation]]|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/09/26/could-mbta-run-overnight-bus-routes-some-advocates-say-yes/1Wo9phLrioBL5h29R9lCJO/story.html|title=Could the MBTA run overnight bus routes? Some advocates say yes|last=Dungca|first=Nicole|date=2016-09-26|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=2018-01-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927124225/https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/09/26/could-mbta-run-overnight-bus-routes-some-advocates-say-yes/1Wo9phLrioBL5h29R9lCJO/story.html|archive-date=2016-09-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The category of key bus routes figured into Boston mayor [[Marty Walsh]]'s "Go Boston 2030" initiative, which included the goal of having "every Boston household" within a 10-minute walk from a [[MBTA subway|T station]] or a bus stop on a key route.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2015/1016/With-memories-of-Snowpocalypse-Boston-readies-for-winter|title=With memories of 'Snowpocalypse,' Boston readies for winter|last=Fedde|first=Corey|date=2015-10-16|work=[[Christian Science Monitor]]|access-date=2017-12-30|issn=0882-7729}}</ref> In addition, a new key route was proposed to connect the [[Longwood Medical and Academic Area]] with [[JFK/UMass station]] via [[Roxbury, Boston|Roxbury]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/03/07/the-transportation-projects-boston-wants-tackle/mTGnryBsWIn1EzIGC90vFP/story.html|title=The 58 transportation projects Boston wants to tackle|last=Rocheleau|first=Matt|date=2017-03-07|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=2017-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309120129/http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2017/03/07/the-transportation-projects-boston-wants-tackle/mTGnryBsWIn1EzIGC90vFP/story.html|archive-date=2017-03-09|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In May 2022, the MBTA released a draft plan for a bus network redesign, which included potential changes to most of the key routes. A number of other routes would be upgraded to key bus route frequency, forming a high-frequency bus network complementing the rapid transit network.<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>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/media/2022-05/2022-05-12-bnrd-proposed-high-frequency-map.jpg |title=Proposed Frequent Service |date=May 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> A revised plan was released in November 2022.<ref name=nov2022changes>{{cite web |url=https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/2022-11-7-bnrd-summary-of-changes-english-accessible.pdf |title=What we changed from the May 2022 Proposal |date=November 7, 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>

===Key routes criteria===
The MBTA's Service Delivery Policy uses five criteria when determining if a route is part of the Key Bus Routes program.<ref name="policy"/>
* High ridership demand
* Connectivity within the system
* Geographic coverage
* Accommodation of major new development
* Operation as [[bus rapid transit]]

===Policy standards===
A bus route that has been identified as a key route must adhere to two policy standards: Span of service and frequency of service, both of which mandate service levels well above a standard local route.<ref name="policy"/><ref name=":4" /> The following tables outline these standards as compared to standard local routes.

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ebf5ff;"
! align="left"|Type of Route
! colspan="2" align="left"|Span of service (minimum)
|-
| rowspan="3" align="left"|Local 
| align="left" style="text-align:left;"| Weekday
| style="text-align:center;"| 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
|-
| align="left" style="text-align:left;"| Saturday
| style="text-align:center;"| 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
|-
| align="left" style="text-align:left;"| Sunday
| style="text-align:center;"| 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM 
|-
| rowspan="3" align="left"|Key 
| align="left" style="text-align:left;"| Weekday
| style="text-align:center;"| 6:00 AM – Midnight
|-
| align="left" style="text-align:left;"| Saturday
| style="text-align:center;"| 6:00 AM – Midnight
|-
| align="left" style="text-align:left;"| Sunday
| style="text-align:center;"| 7:00 AM – Midnight
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ebf5ff;"
! align="left"|Type of Route
! colspan="2" align="left"|Frequency of service (minimum)
|-
| rowspan="3" align="left"|Local 
| style="text-align:left;"| AM & PM peak
| style="text-align:center;"| Every 30 mins
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| All other times
| style="text-align:center;"| Every 60 mins
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Saturdays & Sundays
| style="text-align:center;"| Every 60 mins 
|-
| rowspan="3" align="left"|Key 
| style="text-align:left;"| AM & PM peak
| style="text-align:center;"| Every 10 mins
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Middays
| style="text-align:center;"| Every 15 mins
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| Evenings, Saturdays & Sundays
| style="text-align:center;"| Every 20 mins
|}

==Route list==
There were 15 key routes within the MBTA system: 1, 15, 22, 23, 28, 32, 39, 57, 66, 71, 73, 77, 111, 116, and 117.<ref name=":1">{{Cite thesis|last=Kusters Viale|first=Luis Antonio|title=Transit Priority to Improve Bus Running Time: A Specific Case in Boston|date=2010-01-31|degree=Masters|publisher=[[Delft University of Technology]]|url=http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:fa7707cb-0943-40ba-8e57-9d810341e8d4}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal|last1=Pollack|first1=Stephanie|last2=Gartsman|first2=Anna|last3=Reardon|first3=Timothy|last4=Hari|first4=Meghna|date=2015-01-01|title=Reshaping the Region: Transit Proximity and Leverage in Metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts|journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board|volume=2537|pages=33–41|doi=10.3141/2537-04|s2cid=112828844|issn=0361-1981}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://legacy.wbur.org/2013/06/17/mbta-bus-improvement|title=MBTA Begins Work On 15 Of Its Busiest Bus Routes|date=2013-06-17|work=[[WBUR]]|access-date=2018-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2013/06/17/mbta-bus-routes-improvements/|title=MBTA Bus Routes Are Getting a Makeover|last=Annear|first=Steve|date=2013-06-17|work=[[Boston Magazine]]|access-date=2018-01-01|language=en-US}}</ref> Elected officials and members of the public have asked the MBTA for limited-stop or express service along all of these routes.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hart|first=Nicholas|date=2016-01-01|title=Methodology for Evaluating Potential for Limited-Stop Bus Service Along Existing Local Bus Corridors|journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board|volume=2543|pages=91–100|doi=10.3141/2543-10|s2cid=112756786|issn=0361-1981}}</ref>

===1===
The '''1 Harvard Square–Nubian Station''', which connects [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]] with [[Roxbury, Boston|Roxbury]],<ref name=":5">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7iZPAAAAMAAJ|title=Supervision Strategies for Improved Reliability of Bus Routes|last=Levinson|first=Herbert S.|date=1991-01-01|publisher=Transportation Research Board, National Research Council|isbn=9780309049221|language=en}}</ref> was formed in September 1962 when two routes, split at [[Hynes Convention Center/ICA (MBTA station)|Massachusetts Avenue]] (now Hynes Convention Center), were merged – the 76 Harvard–Massachusetts station and the [[Defunct MBTA streetcar lines#47|47]] Massachusetts station–Dudley. In May 1987, the route was realigned from its former alignment on [[Washington Street (Boston)|Washington Street]] southeast several blocks onto Albany Street and [[Melnea Cass Boulevard (Boston)|Melnea Cass Boulevard]] to serve [[Boston Medical Center]]. The route now runs mostly along [[Massachusetts Avenue (Boston)|Massachusetts Avenue]],<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/best-of-boston/1999/the-mbtas-1-bus-harvard-square-to-dudley-station/|title=The MBTA's #1 Bus (Harvard Square to Dudley Station), Best People Watching, in Boston|date=1999|work=[[Boston (magazine)|Boston Magazine]]|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en-US}}</ref> from [[Harvard (MBTA station)|Harvard]], past the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]],<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=O'Sullivan|first1=A.|last2=Pereira|first2=F. C.|last3=Zhao|first3=J.|last4=Koutsopoulos|first4=H. N.|date=November 2016|title=Uncertainty in Bus Arrival Time Predictions: Treating Heteroscedasticity With a Metamodel Approach|journal=IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems|volume=17|issue=11|pages=3286–3296|doi=10.1109/tits.2016.2547184|s2cid=15721090|issn=1524-9050|url=http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1502220/1/QRbus.pdf}}</ref> over the [[Charles River]] via the [[Harvard Bridge]] into Boston, past the [[Berklee College of Music]] to Boston Medical Center, then southwest to [[Nubian station]] via Albany Street and [[Melnea Cass Boulevard (Boston)|Melnea Cass Boulevard]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last1=Mekuria|first1=Maaza|last2=Furth|first2=Peter|last3=Melachrinoudis|first3=Emanuel|date=2012-11-09|title=Optimization of Spacing of Transit Stops on a Realistic Street Network|journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board|volume=2277|pages=29–37|doi=10.3141/2277-04|s2cid=110187422|issn=0361-1981}}</ref>

{{As of|2015}}, the city of Cambridge planned to install [[signal priority]] for route 1 at some intersections.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cambridgeday.com/2015/12/02/fewer-red-lights-for-no-1-bus-commuters-could-be-just-a-start-for-citys-street-transit/ |title=Fewer red lights for No. 1 Bus commuters could be just a start for city's street transit |newspaper=Cambridge Day |last=Levy |first=Marc |date=2 December 2015 |access-date=3 December 2015}}</ref> No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plan.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

The transit advocacy group Transitmatters rated the 1 bus the slowest and most [[bus bunching|bunched]] MBTA bus route, with a mean speed of 6.55&nbsp;mph and a bunching rate of 17.7% (meaning 1 out of every 6 buses is bunched) during October 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://transitmatters.org/reportsfeed/pokey-schleppie-awards |title=The Pokey/Schleppie Awards|date=11 April 2024|publisher=Transitmatters|access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref>
<!-- sources for history:
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015068187478&view=2up&seq=642 first service over Harvard Bridge in 1892
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52222222/the-boston-globe/ cut to Central in June 1930
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52223878/the-boston-globe/ split into Harvard-Lenox and Massachusetts-Dudley in July 1930
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52223901/the-boston-globe/ Harvard-Dudley again by 1932
split into Harvard-Mass and Mass-Dudley routes between 1938 and 1940 (per maps) -->

===15===
[[File:An MBTA 15 bus at Nubian Station.jpg|thumb|right|A route 15 bus at Nubian station in 2024]]
The '''15 Fields Corner Station or St. Peter's Square–Ruggles Station''' route runs from St. Peter's Square (Coppens Square) in northern Dorchester north on Bowdoin Street, west on Hancock Street, and north on Columbia Street to [[Uphams Corner]]. It continues west on Dudley Street to [[Nubian station]], then west on Malcolm X Boulevard to {{bts|Roxbury Crossing}} and north on [[Tremont Street]] to [[Ruggles station]]. Night and weekend service terminates at [[Fields Corner station]], running on Geneva Avenue and Bowdoin Street to St. Peter's Square.

Buses started running on the 15 Kane Square–Dudley via Uphams Corner and Dudley Street route on April 6, 1962, replacing [[trackless trolley]]s. With the relocation of the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]] to the [[Southwest Corridor (Boston)|Southwest Corridor]] in May 1987, the route was extended to Ruggles.<ref name="netransit">{{NETransit}}</ref> Kane Square service was extended slightly to St. Peter's Square on August 25, 2024.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/service-changes/fall-2024-service-changes |title=Fall 2024 Service Changes |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>

The May 2022 draft network plan proposed an extension westward to [[Oak Square (Brighton)|Oak Square]] (taking over route {{MBTABus|65}}), forming an Oak Square–Fields Corner route.<ref name=draftmap /> The November 2022 draft network plan cut the route back to Ruggles, with route 65 remaining separate.<ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===22===
The '''22 Ashmont Station–Ruggles Station via Talbot Ave''' begins at [[Ashmont (MBTA station)|Ashmont]] and runs on a northwesterly route to the former site of [[Egleston station]]. From there it continues north on [[Columbus Avenue (Boston)|Columbus Avenue]] and [[Tremont Street]] along the course of the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]] before ending at [[Ruggles (MBTA station)|Ruggles]].

Buses replaced [[trackless trolley]]s on the 22 on April 6, 1962, running as the 22 Ashmont–Dudley via Talbot and Warren. This route, rather than turning off Blue Hill Avenue onto Seaver Street, continued north a bit further and then went north on Warren Street to end at {{bts|Dudley Square}}. It was extended to Ruggles in May 1987 along with the relocation of the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]] to the [[Southwest Corridor (Boston)|Southwest Corridor]].<ref name=netransit /> The May and November 2022 network plans proposed that the inner terminal be changed to the Longwood Medical Area.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===23===
The '''23 Ashmont Station–Ruggles Station via Washington Street''' has the same endpoints as the 22, but uses a mostly different route. It starts out of [[Ashmont (MBTA station)|Ashmont]] on Talbot Avenue, but turns north on [[Washington Street (Boston)|Washington Street]], following that onto Warren Street to [[Nubian station]]. From Nubian, the 23 heads west on Malcolm X Boulevard to [[Roxbury Crossing (MBTA station)|Roxbury Crossing]] and north on [[Tremont Street]] to [[Ruggles station]].

Buses replaced [[trackless trolley]]s on April 7, 1962 on the 22 Ashmont–Dudley via Washington Street and Warren. It was extended to Ruggles in May 1987 along with the relocation of the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]] to the [[Southwest Corridor (Boston)|Southwest Corridor]].<ref name=netransit />

A 2017 study of fare-card and vehicle-location data suggested that the 23 and 28 routes were overcrowded, and that this could be ameliorated by extending the 29 route and increasing its service frequency.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Vanderwaart|first1=Catherine|last2=Attanucci|first2=John P.|last3=Salvucci|first3=Frederick P.|date=2017-01-01|title=Applications of Inferred Origins, Destinations, and Interchanges in Bus Service Planning|journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board|volume=2652|pages=70–77|doi=10.3141/2652-08|s2cid=116411826|issn=0361-1981}}</ref> A city-funded program includes fare-free service on routes 23, 28, and 29 from March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2026.<ref name=free232829>{{cite web |url=https://www.mbta.com/projects/fare-free-program-routes-23-28-and-29 |title=Fare-Free Program for Routes 23, 28, and 29 |date=February 9, 2022 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===28===
[[File:MBTA 28 bus at Nubian.jpg|thumb|right|A route 28 bus at Nubian station in 2024 with its headsign advertising the fare-free program]]
The '''28 Mattapan Station–Ruggles Station''' route provides service through the Grove Hall and Mattapan neighborhoods on [[Massachusetts Route 28|Blue Hill Avenue]], a major radial arterial. Blue Hill Avenue has long been a busy trunk route; in 1945, route 29 Mattapan–[[Egleston station|Egleston]] peaked at 1.5 minute headways during the morning rush hour.<ref name=hub>{{cite book |title=Streetcar Lines of the Hub – The 1940s |last=Clarke |first=Bradley H. |year=2003 |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association |isbn=978-0938315056 }}</ref>{{rp|203}} Streetcars formerly had a dedicated right-of-way on Blue Hill Avenue; streetcars were moved into mixed traffic in stages between 1940 and 1950, and replaced with buses in 1955.<ref name=hub />{{rp|54}}<ref name=netransit /> With the May 1987 changes to the bus network, route 28 was established to supplement route 29 service; both ran from Mattapan to Ruggles via different routings. In December 1989, route 28 became the dominant service on Blue Hill Avenue, and route 29 was relegated to a rush-hour-only route running only to Jackson Square.<ref name=netransit /> Shelters were added at some stops in 2001.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101031798/the-boston-globe/ |title=Officials mull compromise on Cambridge truck limits |first=Thomas C. Jr. |last=Palmer |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=December 23, 2001 |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> From December 2006 to June 2010, [[short turn]] service between Franklin Park and Dudley (Ruggles after March 2007) was operated in the morning peak as route 25.<ref name=netransit /><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2006-12-07/upcoming-improvements-bus-routes |title=Upcoming Improvements To Bus Routes |date=December 7, 2007 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation}}</ref>

A number of [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]] expansion corridors were considered in the 2003 Program for Mass Transportation (PMT); most were given brief consideration but not acted upon. One, a [[bus rapid transit]] (BRT) express overlay for the 28, was briefly revived in 2006 as part of [[Silver Line (MBTA)#Silver Line Phase III plans|Silver Line Phase III]] plans. In 2009, the state proposed to add a limited-stop BRT line called the '''28X''' on the corridor, which was then the busiest bus corridor in New England. The plan called for dedicated bus lanes on Blue Hill Avenue and queue jumps on Warren Avenue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/portals/20/docs/28x_tiger_application_-_narrative.pdf |title=Route 28X Bus Enhancements Project: Discretionary Grant Application |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation |year=2009}}</ref> The project was expected to cost $114 million.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2009-05-05/governor-mayor-announce-silver-line-project |title=Governor, Mayor Announce Silver Line Project |date=May 5, 2008 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> Construction was to begin in April 2010, with initial service at the beginning of 2012.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110108004507/http://www.eot.state.ma.us/downloads/direct_connect/28X_Overview.pdf |archive-date=January 8, 2011 |url=http://www.eot.state.ma.us/downloads/direct_connect/28X_Overview.pdf |title=Transforming Bus Service in Boston: The 28X Corridor |publisher=Massachusetts Executive Office of Transportation |year=2009}}</ref>

However, the proposal quickly drew opposition: it had been announced at a press conference by state officials without local officials having even been informed of the project, leading to accusations that the plan was rushed to qualify for [[Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery|TIGER grant funding]] without community input. Residents also objected because the dedicated bus lanes would require removing parking spots and the median strip, and the construction process would disrupt traffic on Blue Hill Avenue for over a year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dotnews.com/2009/lawmakers-ask-state-withdraw-28x-proposal |title=Lawmakers ask state to withdraw 28x proposal |newspaper=Dorchester Reporter |date=November 12, 2009 |first=Gintautas |last=Dumcius}}</ref> The state withdrew the proposal in late 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2011/08/31/28x-debacle-missed-opportunities/ |title=The MBTA's 28X Debacle, aka, Missed Opportunity |newspaper=Boston Magazine |date=August 31, 2011 |first=Steve |last=Poftak}}</ref> In June 2010, the MBTA replaced 40-foot buses on the route with 60-foot buses; although the swap added capacity on the busy route, residents objected to the removal of some bus stops in hilly Grove Hall to accommodate the longer vehicles.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archive.boston.com/yourtown/news/dorchester/2010/10/grove_hall_residents_pitted_ag.html |title=Tension over bus route pits Grove Hall against Mattapan |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=October 7, 2010 |first=Cara |last=Bayles}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2010-06-25/patrick-murray-administration-announces-improvements-heavily-used-bus-route-28 |title=Patrick-Murray Administration Announces Improvements to Heavily Used Bus Route 28 |date=June 25, 2010 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref> In 2012, the Roxbury–Dorchester–Mattapan Transit Needs Study recommended the 28X bus to be implemented with no new infrastructure as an express bus adding additional trips to the corridor.<ref name=RDM>{{cite web |url=http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Portals/17/docs/RDM/RDMReport_0912.pdf |title=Roxbury–Dorchester–Mattapan Transit Needs Study |date=September 2012 |publisher=Massachusetts Department of Transportation }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In August 2020, the MBTA and the city applied for $15 million in federal funds for a planned $30 million construction of Blue Hill Avenue. The project would include center-running bus lanes and be completed by the end of 2021.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/31/metro/mbta-boston-seek-federal-funds-put-bus-lanes-center-blue-hill-ave/ |title=MBTA, Boston seek federal funds to put bus lanes in center of Blue Hill Ave. |newspaper=Boston Globe |date=August 31, 2020 |first=Adam |last=Vaccaro}}</ref> The federal government rejected the funding request in September 2020.<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> A second $25 million application was submitted in July 2021. A pilot program of [[Free public transport|free fares]] and all-door boarding on route 28 ran from August 29, 2021, to February 28, 2022. The $500,000 pilot, funded by the city using [[American Rescue Plan]] monies, intends to reduce travel times on the frequently-late route.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-07-26/pilot-program-offering-free-fares-route-28-bus-three-months-fall |title=Pilot Program Offering Free Fares on Route 28 Bus for Three Months This Fall |date=July 26, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://mass.streetsblog.org/2021/11/08/mbta-extends-fare-free-28-pilot-in-boston/ |title=City Hall, MBTA Extend Fare-Free 28 Pilot in Boston |first=Christian |last=MilNeil |date=November 8, 2021 |newspaper=Streetsblog Massachusetts}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2021/12/21/metro/wu-extends-fare-free-28-bus-pilot-two-additional-months-talks-with-mbta-continue/ |title=Wu extends fare-free 28 bus pilot for two additional months as talks with MBTA continue |first=Taylor |last=Dolven |date=December 21, 2021 |newspaper=Boston Globe}}</ref> A city-funded program includes fare-free service on routes 23, 28, and 29 from March 1, 2022 to February 28, 2026.<ref name=free232829 /> In November 2021, the city was awarded a $15 million federal grant (out of $39.5 million project cost) for the Blue Hill Avenue reconstruction.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2021-11/RaiseGrants_Capital%20Fact%20Sheets.pdf |page=33 |title=RAISE Grants Capital Awards FY 2021 |publisher=U.S. Department of Transportation}}</ref>

The May and November 2022 network plans proposed that route 28 be extended from Roxbury Crossing to {{bts|Kenmore}} via the Longwood Medical Area; the Roxbury Crossing–Ruggles segment would be discontinued.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map /> In February 2024, the city announced plans for a $44 million reconstruction of Blue Hill Avenue including center bus lane, with construction expected to start in 2026.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/28/metro/blue-hill-avenue-getting-center-bus-lanes/ |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228194154/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/28/metro/blue-hill-avenue-getting-center-bus-lanes/ |date=February 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Boston Globe |first=Taylor |last=Dolven |title='Transformational' bus system is coming to traffic-choked Blue Hill Avenue, city says}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.boston.gov/news/mayor-wu-announces-44-million-investment-transform-blue-hill-avenue |title=Mayor Wu Announces $44 Million Investment to Transform Blue Hill Avenue |publisher=City of Boston |date=February 28, 2024}}</ref>

===32===
The '''32 Wolcott or Cleary Square–Forest Hills Station''' route runs along Hyde Park Avenue from Forest Hills to Readville, serving Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and Hyde Park.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.clf.org/blog/trans-frustration-one-boston-natives-experience-on-public-transit/|title=Trans-frustration: One Boston native's experience on public transit {{!}} Conservation Law Foundation|date=2010-07-09|work=[[Conservation Law Foundation]]|access-date=2017-12-30|language=en-US}}</ref>  It parallels the commuter rail tracks from Forest Hills to Readville for its entire route.

Up until 1953, Route 32 was a full-service trolley route from Forest Hills to Cleary Square, until it converted to trackless trolleys.  In 1958, all trackless trolley services south of Forest Hills were discontinued and replaced by diesel buses.  (The trolleys ended in the middle of Hyde Park Ave; however, a loop for the trackless trolleys to turn around was placed on Hyde Park Avenue and Pine St.)

In 1981, the former Route 31 bus route between Mattapan Square and Wolcott Square was consolidated with Route 32 at Cleary Square to become Route 32 Forest Hills–Wolcott Square.  Route 50, which served Cleary Square and Forest Hills via Roslindale, was rerouted onto River St, Gordon Avenue, Summer St (inbound) and Austin St (outbound) to serve the Summer St Elderly Housing Area (aka Malone Elderly Housing). No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />
[[File:MBTA route 39 bus on Centre Street, April 2017.JPG|thumb|Route 39 bus on Centre Street in 2017]]

===39===
{{Main|Green Line E branch#Arborway restoration controversy}}
The '''39 Forest Hills Station–Back Bay Station''' route is the replacement (described as "temporary" from 1985 until 2011) for [[Green Line E branch]] service from Heath Street to Arborway which has run since December 1985.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://jamaicaplaingazette.com/2011/08/26/trolley-comeback-killed-by-court/|title=Trolley comeback killed by court|last=Ruch|first=John|date=2011-08-26|website=Jamaica Plain Gazette|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-20}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite thesis|last=Sindel|first=David A.|title=Strategies for Meeting Future Capacity Needs on the Light Rail MBTA Green Line|date=2017-05-23|degree=Masters|publisher=[[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]|hdl=1721.1/111263}}</ref> Aside from paralleling the Green Line from Heath Street to Copley, there are connections to the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]] and [[MBTA Commuter Rail|commuter rail]] at both ends (and [[Amtrak]] at the [[Back Bay station|latter]]).<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Furth|first1=Peter|last2=Rahbee|first2=Adam|date=2000-01-01|title=Optimal Bus Stop Spacing Through Dynamic Programming and Geographic Modeling|journal=Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board|volume=1731|pages=15–22|doi=10.3141/1731-03|s2cid=109947841|issn=0361-1981}}</ref> Route 39 was the first MBTA route to regularly use [[articulated bus]]es, which were later introduced to several other routes (including the 28) in late 2005. {{As of|2013}}, the 39 was the second most heavily used bus line in the city.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2013/01/26/quick-fixes-for-mbta-buses-cut-out-redundant-stops/2nxOgmHpD3ve71hcqjLtJK/story.html|title=Quick fixes for MBTA buses: Cut out redundant stops|date=2013-01-26|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=2017-12-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201135806/http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2013/01/26/quick-fixes-for-mbta-buses-cut-out-redundant-stops/2nxOgmHpD3ve71hcqjLtJK/story.html|archive-date=2013-02-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> The high ridership of the 39 was one motivation for expanding the Forest Hills station during the [[Arborway|Casey Arborway]] overhaul.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Godfrey|first=Paul|date=September 2014|title=Re-stringing the Necklace: Boston's Arborway project brings neighborhoods back together|url=https://www.roadsbridges.com/sites/rb/files/50_boston%20arborway_0914RB.pdf|journal=Roads and Bridges|pages=50&ndash;53}}</ref>

The May 2022 draft network plan proposed that route 39 be extended to {{bts|Porter}} via {{bts|Central}} and {{bts|Fenway}}, taking over portions of routes {{MBTABus|47}}, {{MBTABus|91}}, and {{MBTABus|87}}. The portion from Longwood Avenue to Back Bay would be discontinued.<ref name=draftmap /> The November 2022 draft network plan reverted route 39 to its existing routing, with a more frequent route 47 instead extended to [[Union Square, Somerville|Union Square]].<ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===57===
{{Main|Green Line A branch#Route 57}}
The '''57 Watertown Yard–Kenmore Station''' route passes through Boston, Newton and Watertown.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":5" /> It is the replacement for the [[Green Line A branch]] service which was discontinued in 1969.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://buquad.com/2013/02/18/carla-harvard-phd-student-edited-18/|title=A Streetcar Named "A"|last=Lucas|first=Jake|date=2013-02-18|work=The Quad: Boston University's Independent Online Magazine|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/property/2017/04/16/brighton-development/|title=The Future Is Brighton|last=Clauss|first=Kyle Scott|date=2017-04-16|work=[[Boston (magazine)|Boston Magazine]]|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/2016/08/25/mbta-color-history/|title=Throwback Thursday: When the T Was Color-Coded|last=Bilis|first=Madeline|date=2016-08-25|work=[[Boston (magazine)|Boston Magazine]]|access-date=2017-12-20|language=en-US}}</ref> Route 57 was formerly one of the few routes that ran limited-stop service in the Boston city limits (no pickups were made on [[Commonwealth Avenue, Boston|Commonwealth Avenue]] between [[Packard's Corner]] and [[Kenmore Square|Kenmore]]), but this practice was discontinued in December 2006. No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===66===
[[File:Pair of bunched MBTA 66 buses in Allston.jpg|thumb|A [[Bus bunching|bunched]] pair of route 66 buses in Allston]]
The '''66 Harvard Square–Nubian Station via Allston''' route, formerly a trolley line,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonstreetcars.com/trolley-remnants.html|title=Trolley Remnants|last=Propp|first=Gil|website=Boston Streetcars|access-date=2017-12-20}}</ref> begins at Nubian Square in Roxbury, and crosses the [[Southwest Corridor Park]] at Roxbury Crossing. The route follows Route 39 and the Green Line E branch on a short segment from Brigham Circle to the Boston city limits. Traveling via Harvard Street, this bus serves Brookline and Allston, diverting to Union Square (Allston) before following Cambridge Street and North Harvard Street and terminating at Harvard Square, Cambridge.  It connects [[Nubian station]] on the [[Silver Line (MBTA)|Silver Line]] to [[Roxbury Crossing (MBTA station)|Roxbury Crossing]] on the [[Orange Line (MBTA)|Orange Line]]; as well as [[Fenwood Road (MBTA station)|Fenwood Rd]], [[Mission Park (MBTA station)|Mission Park]], and [[Riverway (MBTA station)|Riverway]] on the [[Green Line E branch]]; [[Brookline Village (MBTA station)|Brookline Village]] on the [[Green Line D branch]]; [[Coolidge Corner (MBTA station)|Coolidge Corner]] on the [[Green Line C branch]]; [[Harvard Avenue (MBTA station)|Harvard Ave]] on the [[Green Line B branch]]; and [[Harvard (MBTA station)|Harvard]] on the [[Red Line (MBTA)|Red Line]]. No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map /> In August 2024, northbound buses were rerouted into the [[Harvard Bus Tunnel]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2024-08-28/mbta-fall-service-changes-introduce-new-routing-route-66-through-harvard-bus-tunnel |title=MBTA Fall Service Changes Introduce New Routing for Route 66 through Harvard Bus Tunnel |date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref>
<!-- source for 1938 bus conversion decision: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/52223582/the-boston-globe/ -->

===71===
The '''71 Watertown Square–Harvard station''' begins at the [[Harvard bus tunnel]] lower level and leaves via the south exit onto Mount Auburn Street. It heads west into [[Watertown, Massachusetts|Watertown]], ending at [[Watertown Square station|Watertown Square]].

At the Harvard end, to turn around, the bus exits the tunnel and makes a hard left onto Massachusetts Avenue and a right on Garden Street, and then turns right on Waterhouse Street and right on Massachusetts Avenue to return to the tunnel. The Watertown end has a loop on private [[Right-of-way (railroad)|right-of-way]] for turning around and picking up/dropping off passengers.

September 4, 1958, was the last day of streetcar service on the 71. Trackless trolleys ran from then until March 13, 2022.

In 2017, the 71 and 73 were selected for a [[bus rapid transit]] pilot program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/News/2017/12/cambridgesecuresgranttotestbusrapidtransitfeatures.aspx|title=Cambridge Secures Grant to Test Bus Rapid Transit Features – CDD – City of Cambridge, Massachusetts|website=[[Cambridge, Massachusetts|City of Cambridge]]|language=en|access-date=2017-12-30}}</ref>

Routes 71 and 73, along with the adjacent routes {{MBTABus|72}} and {{MBTABus|77A}}, ran with [[trolleybus]]es (locally referred to as "trackless trolleys") for decades after all such other routes in the MBTA system had been eliminated, representing some of the last vestiges of Boston's once-extensive [[Trolleybuses in Greater Boston|trackless trolley]] network.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bostonstreetcars.com/trackless-trolleys.html|title=Trackless Trolleys|last=Propp|first=Gil|website=Boston Streetcars|access-date=2017-12-20}}</ref> They were finally converted to diesel bus operation on March 13, 2022.<ref name=netransit/> No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map /> However, the city of Watertown plans to extend the route slightly to [[Watertown Yard]] as part of a reconfiguration of Watertown Square.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://watertownsquareimprovements.com/s/2024-04-04_Public-Presentation-lowres-ez88.pdf |title=Watertown Square Area Plan Project Update |page=96 |date=April 4, 2024 |publisher=City of Watertown}}</ref>

===73===
[[File:(USA-Massachusetts) Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 2093 MA-(T)2093 73 2024-06-06.jpg|thumb|A route 73 bus near Harvard Square in 2024]]
The '''73 Waverley Square–Harvard Station''' begins in the Harvard bus tunnel and runs concurrent with the 71 bus along Mount Auburn Street in Cambridge and Watertown. It leaves Mount Auburn Street to follow Belmont Street, which forms a border between [[Belmont, Massachusetts|Belmont]] and [[Watertown, Massachusetts|Watertown]], then continues on Trapelo Road in Belmont to end at Waverley Square, looping at the [[Waverley (MBTA station)|Waverley commuter rail station]] on the [[Fitchburg Railroad|Fitchburg Line]].

Until the 1950s, streetcars served this route. Starting in 1957, trackless trolleys provided short-turn service from Harvard to Benton Square, and the entirety of Route 73 was converted from streetcars to trackless trolleys in 1958.<ref name="clarke1970">{{cite book|last1=Clarke|first1=Bradley H.|title=The Trackless Trolleys of Boston|date=1970|publisher=[[Boston Street Railway Association]]|lccn=74014950}}</ref> Trackless trolleys ran from then until March 13, 2022.<ref name=netransit/> No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===77===
The '''77 Arlington Heights–Harvard Station''' route provides service between the town of [[Arlington, Massachusetts|Arlington]] and [[Harvard (MBTA station)|Harvard]] station along [[Massachusetts Avenue (Boston)|Massachusetts Avenue]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Hickman|first1=Mark D.|last2=Wilson|first2=Nigel H.M.|title=Passenger travel time and path choice implications of real-time transit information|journal=Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies|volume=3|issue=4|pages=211–226|doi=10.1016/0968-090x(95)00007-6|year=1995}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/yourtown/news/arlington/2011/05/mbta_eyes_changes_for_77_bus_t.html |title=MBTA eyes changes for 77 Bus through Arlington and Cambridge |last=Parker |first=Brock |date=May 25, 2011 |work=Boston Globe |access-date=January 5, 2018 |language=en}}</ref>

Until the [[Red Line (MBTA)|Red Line Northwest Extension]] opened in the 1980s, routes 77/77A provided the bulk of transit service northwest of Harvard, with combined streetcar headways under one minute during rush hours in 1945.<ref name=hub />{{rp|203}} Route 77 was converted to diesel bus in 1955; route 77A (Harvard–[[North Cambridge carhouse]] short-turn service) was converted to trolleybus in 1958 to free up streetcars for the upcoming [[Green Line D branch|Highland branch conversion]], and so that boarding islands on Massachusetts Avenue could be removed to benefit automobiles.<ref name=netransit /><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Mount Auburn Trackless Trolleys Celebrate Silver Anniversary |first=Richard L. |last=Barber |pages=8–9 |magazine=Rollsign |date=November–December 1983 |publisher=Boston Street Railway Association}}</ref> Route 77A formerly provided all local service south of the carhouse, with route 77 making limited stops on that segment; however, it was largely replaced by route 77 service in stages from 1998 to 2005, and eliminated entirely in 2022.<ref name=netransit /> In 2017, Arlington applied for a private grant to add signal priority, queue jumps, and possibly bus lanes on their section of the route.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://arlington.wickedlocal.com/news/20170602/arlington-looking-to-pilot-bus-rapid-transit-on-mass-ave |title=Arlington looking to pilot Bus Rapid Transit on Mass. Ave. |newspaper=Wicked Local Arlington |date=June 2, 2017 |first=Bram |last=Berkowitz}}</ref> No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===111===
[[File:MBTA route 111 bus on Fay Square, June 2017.JPG|thumb|right|A route 111 bus near Fay Square in 2017]]
The '''111 Woodlawn–Haymarket Station''' provides a route between downtown Boston and parts of Chelsea, via the  [[Charlestown Bridge]] and the [[Tobin Bridge]]. (Some trips formerly continued east as far as Revere.) When the [[Boston Elevated Railway]] bought the route in 1936, it ran as streetcars between Chelsea Square and Woodlawn. On October 10, 1936, the line was replaced by an extension of the [[City Square station|City Square]]–Chelsea Square bus route. The line was extended in April 1975 to Haymarket after the closure of the [[Charlestown Elevated]]; the partial extension beyond Woodlawn was done in January 2001.<ref name=netransit /> Service past Woodlawn was discontinued in September 2019, while Cary Square short turns were replaced by Woodlawn trips in December 2021.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2021-12-07/winter-service-changes-effect-december-19-2021 |title=Winter Service Changes in Effect on December 19, 2021 |date=December 7, 2021 |publisher=Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}</ref><ref name=netransit />

The 111 is among the most frequent numbered MBTA bus routes, with service running every 5 minutes during rush hour.<ref name=bluebook>{{MBTA Bluebook 2014}}</ref> No changes to the route were proposed in the May and November 2022 network plans.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map />

===116/117===
The '''116 Wonderland Station–Maverick Station via Revere Street''' and '''117 Wonderland station–Maverick station via Beach Street''' served East Boston and the cities of Chelsea and Revere.<ref name=":6" /> The 116 and 117 shared most of their routes through East Boston and Revere, differing only on the northern end near [[Wonderland station|Wonderland]]. The May and November 2022 network plans proposed to discontinue route 117. The segment between Broadway and Wonderland station was to become an extension of route {{MBTABus|110}} at key bus route frequency.<ref name=draftmap /><ref name=nov2022changes /><ref name=nov2022map /> The change occurred  on December 15, 2024.<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>

==See also==
{{Attached KML}}
* [[List of MBTA bus routes]]
* [[MBTA crosstown bus routes]]
* [[MBTA Silver Line]] (formerly considered part of the key routes)
* [[Free public transport in Boston]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline|MBTA key bus routes}}
*MBTA – routes {{MBTA bus EL|1|text=1}}, {{MBTA bus EL|15|text=15}}, {{MBTA bus EL|22|text=22}}, {{MBTA bus EL|23|text=23}}, {{MBTA bus EL|28|text=28}}, {{MBTA bus EL|32|text=32}}, {{MBTA bus EL|39|text=39}}, {{MBTA bus EL|57|text=57}}, {{MBTA bus EL|66|text=66}}, {{MBTA bus EL|71|text=71}}, {{MBTA bus EL|73|text=73}}, {{MBTA bus EL|77|text=77}}, {{MBTA bus EL|111|text=111}}, {{MBTA bus EL|116|text=116}}, {{MBTA bus EL|117|text=117}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170208193301/http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/t_projects/default.asp?id=19047 MBTA - Key Bus Route Improvement Program]

{{MBTA}}

[[Category:MBTA bus routes]]
[[Category:Massachusetts transportation-related lists|MBTA bus routes]]
[[Category:Boston-related lists|MBTA]]