The MBTA's Control Board approved a $1.2 million plan Monday to provide late night and early morning bus trips.
State House News Service said the pilot program would serve Boston's Dorchester, Mattapan and East Boston neighborhoods, in addition to the cities of Chelsea, Malden and Revere.
The increased trips will not result in any fare hikes, the MBTA said.
"There were times when the T was a little discouraged about whether there was a version of late night that would meet the various constraints that were being put on it," Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack said. "I think this is a great idea."
The pilot, set to begin in September, will require the hiring of six bus drivers and will add more than 100 new bus trips each week. A second phase is also possible.
"It's really being driven by where we've seen demand on our existing late night trips, and also by the board's recognition that we really wanted to focus service on serving the needs of low-income workers," said Laurel Paget-Seekins, the MBTA's director of fare policy and analytics. "There's definitely room - since we have a second phase and we'll potentially continue this - for other areas to see additional service as well."
