MBTA Expands Service on 37 Boston Bus Routes

MBTA expands service on 37 bus routes with more frequent trips and extended hours

MBTA Adds Service on 37 Bus Routes Starting April

Boston-area transit riders will see more frequent bus service starting April 5 as the MBTA expands service beyond pre-pandemic levels, officials announced. The changes affect 37 bus routes with more frequent trips and expanded evening and weekend service, particularly in neighborhoods with less rail access. MBTA buses currently carry about 40 percent of the system's riders, with nearly 300,000 passenger trips each weekday.

Context

The service expansion is part of the MBTA's seasonal schedule adjustments aimed at improving convenience for riders as commuting patterns continue to shift following the pandemic's impact on travel behavior. Transit officials said the changes reflect efforts to deploy resources where they're most needed based on ridership data. The improvements come as transit agencies nationwide work to adapt service levels to evolving demand patterns while managing budget constraints and operational capacity.

Key Details

Route 9 and SL2 will become "frequent bus routes" running every 15 minutes or less throughout the day, officials said. The CT2 route will merge into an expanded Route 85, creating more direct connections between Assembly Square, Kendall Square, the Longwood Medical Area, and Ruggles station. The spring schedule also includes subway service adjustments on the Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines to improve consistency and trip times. Orange Line weekday trips will increase by 8 percent, the highest level in recent recorded history, following the rollout of new train cars.

Timeline

The expanded bus service and subway adjustments take effect April 5, 2026. Governor Maura Healey and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng emphasized the improvements show progress toward building a reliable transportation system riders can count on. Officials didn't provide details on how long the expanded service levels will remain in place or whether additional routes might see frequency increases later this year.

Rider Impact

Riders on affected routes will see shorter wait times and more service options during evenings and weekends, particularly benefiting neighborhoods with limited rail access. The route consolidation between CT2 and Route 85 will create more direct connections across key destinations without requiring transfers. Moovit provides real-time updates for all MBTA bus and subway routes, helping riders plan trips with current schedule information and service alerts.