List of key MBTA bus routes

Key bus routes of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) system are 15 routes that have high ridership and higher frequency standards than other bus lines, according to the 2006 MBTA Service Policy. These key bus routes ensure basic geographic coverage with frequent service in the densest areas of the city, and connect to other MBTA services to give access to other areas throughout the region.

In recognition of their function as part of the backbone MBTA service, the key bus routes have been 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.

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. As of April 2015^[update], 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.

In November 2006, the MBTA launched a concerted effort to improve service quality on key bus routes, which has since been completed. The 2008 Service Plan recommended improvements for various lines, including upgrading the 31 bus to Key Route standards. A second round of improvements, entitled the Key Routes Improvement Project has been funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Silver Line services were formerly considered part of the program, but were split off into a separate enhancement project.

The key routes are the 1, 15, 22, 23, 28, 32, 39, 57, 66, 71, 73, 77, 111, 116, and 117.

The 1 Harvard/Holyoke Gate - Dudley Station via Massachusetts Avenue runs mostly along Massachusetts Avenue, from Harvard, past the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, over the Charles River via the Harvard Bridge into Boston, past Berklee College of Music to Boston Medical Center, then southwest to Dudley via Albany Street and Melnea Cass Boulevard. Limited stop service over most of the route is provided by the CT1.

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