The MBTA owns and operates one of the oldest and largest public transportation agencies in the US, serving more than 1.2 million passenger trips each weekday before the COVID-19 pandemic. The MBTA’s services, or modes, include:
Heavy Rail — The MBTA operates three heavy rail lines: the Red Line, Blue Line, and Orange Line. Collectively, these lines provide core subway services.
Light Rail — The MBTA’s primary light rail system, the Green Line, provides services to outlying areas to the west and subway service through the center of the city. The MBTA also operates the Mattapan Trolley, which serves as an extension of the Red Line from Ashmont to Mattapan.
Bus — The MBTA operates more than 170 bus routes directly or via contract, including five bus rapid transit routes via the Silver Line and 15 key routes that offer frequent service to higher-ridership corridors. Local bus routes, commuter or express routes, and supplemental routes comprise the rest of MBTA bus service.
Commuter Rail — The MBTA’s 12 primary commuter rail lines link cities and towns around the state with downtown Boston, while also providing regional connections.
Ferry — The MBTA provides ferry services on two routes between downtown Boston, the South Shore, Logan Airport, and Charlestown.
Paratransit — The MBTA provides paratransit service via The RIDE to eligible customers in 58 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts.
MBTA System Map
MBTA Performance Measurement
The MBTA uses performance measures to track progress toward goals, provide accountability and transparency, and plan for future programs and investments. Several current initiatives and plans include goals and performance measures that align with those included in Tracker. To ensure alignment among these efforts, OPMI has worked closely with MBTA and MassDOT staff and MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) members in the development and presentation of these performance measures and targets. The following plans and performance tools are related to Tracker:
