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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox Bus transit
{{Infobox Bus transit
| name = Fresno Area Express
| name = Fresno Area Express
| logo = Fresno Area Express logo.jpg
| logo = Fresno Area Express logo.jpg
| logo_size = 200
| logo_size = 200
| image = Fresno_Area_Express_bus.jpg
| image = Fresno FAX bus.jpg
| image_caption = FAX bus operating on Route 3 in January 2022
| image_size =
| parent = City of Fresno Department of Transportation
| image_caption =
| company_slogan =
| founded = 1887
| service_area = [[Fresno, California|Fresno]] and [[Clovis, California|Clovis]], California
| parent = City of Fresno
| service_type = [[Bus service]], [[paratransit]]
| founded = 1887
| headquarters = [[Fresno, California]]
| routes = [[#Routes|18]]
| stops = 1,606
| locale = [[Central California]]
| hubs = 2 (Downtown, Manchester)
| service_area = [[Fresno, California|Fresno]]
| fleet = [[#Fleet|124 buses]]
| service_type = [[bus service]], [[paratransit]], [[bus rapid transit]]
| ridership = {{American transit ridership|CA Fresno total daily}} ({{American transit ridership|dailydate}}){{American transit ridership|dailycitation}}
| alliance =
| annual ridership = {{American transit ridership|CA Fresno total annual}} ({{American transit ridership|annualdate}}){{American transit ridership|annualcitation}}
| routes = 16
| fuel_type = [[CNG]], [[Battery-electric bus|battery-electric]], [[Fuel cell bus|hydrogen]]
| destinations =
| website = {{URL|https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/|fresno.gov/fax}}
| stops =
| map_name = System map (August 2023)
| hubs =
| map = [[File:Fresno Area Express system map.pdf|250px]]
| stations =
| lounge =
| fleet = 100+
| ridership = 41,993
| fuel_type = Diesel, CNG
| operator = City of Fresno Department of Transportation
| ceo =
| website = [https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/ FAX]
}}
}}
The '''Fresno Area Express''' ('''FAX'''), is a [[public transportation]] operator in [[Fresno, California]]. The line has over 100 buses, 1,606 bus stations, and 16 fixed routes as of December 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fresno.gov/DiscoverFresno/PublicTransportation/default.htm |title=Public Transportation (FAX) |publisher=Fresno.gov |date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2015}}</ref> FAX offers free transfers as well as wheelchair lifts and bike racks on all buses.<ref>[http://www.fresno.gov/DiscoverFresno/PublicTransportation/UsingFresnoAreaExpress/default.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407004105/http://www.fresno.gov/DiscoverFresno/PublicTransportation/UsingFresnoAreaExpress/default.htm|date=April 7, 2009}}</ref>


FAX fixed routes run as far south as [[Malaga, California|Malaga]] to [[Valley Children's Hospital]] in the north. Lines also run as far east as Fowler Avenue in [[Clovis, California|Clovis]], and as far west as Hayes Avenue near Highway 99 in western Fresno.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fresno.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E1B45744-443D-4575-BD2F-286945C54C04/0/FAXSystemMap1108.pdf |format=PDF |title=FAX : System Map |publisher=Fresno.gov |access-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192442/http://www.fresno.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E1B45744-443D-4575-BD2F-286945C54C04/0/FAXSystemMap1108.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
'''Fresno Area Express''' ('''FAX''') is a [[public transportation]] operator in [[Fresno, California]]. The system had over 100 buses, 1,606 bus stops, and 18 routes as of August 2022. In {{American transit ridership|annualdate}}, the system had a ridership of {{American transit ridership|CA Fresno total annual}}, or about {{American transit ridership|CA Fresno total daily}} per weekday as of {{American transit ridership|dailydateasof}}. FAX fixed routes run as far south as [[Malaga, California|Malaga]] to [[Valley Children's Hospital]] in the north. Lines also run as far east as Fowler Avenue in [[Clovis, California|Clovis]], and as far west as Hayes Avenue near Highway 99 in western Fresno.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAX : System Map |url=http://www.fresno.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E1B45744-443D-4575-BD2F-286945C54C04/0/FAXSystemMap1108.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192442/http://www.fresno.gov/NR/rdonlyres/E1B45744-443D-4575-BD2F-286945C54C04/0/FAXSystemMap1108.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |publisher=Fresno.gov }}</ref>


FAX has [[paratransit]] operations called Handy Ride, operated by a private contractor. FAX offers free transfers as well as wheelchair lifts and bike racks on all buses.<ref>[http://www.fresno.gov/DiscoverFresno/PublicTransportation/UsingFresnoAreaExpress/default.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407004105/http://www.fresno.gov/DiscoverFresno/PublicTransportation/UsingFresnoAreaExpress/default.htm|date=April 7, 2009}}</ref>
FAX has [[paratransit]] operations called Handy Ride. Handy Ride is operated by a private contractor.


== History ==
FAX operates a [[bus rapid transit]] system on the Blackstone and Ventura/Kings Canyon transit corridors.
The public transportation system in Fresno started in January 1889 with [[horse-drawn streetcar]]s. By 1901, lines had been established on Fulton, Fresno, and Mariposa Streets, which merged into the Fresno City Railway Company. The company was renamed the [[Fresno Traction Company]] in 1903 as employees began the process of converting the lines to electric streetcars. These electric streetcars operated on approximately 42 miles of track by the mid-1920s.<ref name="FAX History">{{Cite web |title=Fresno Area Express History |url=https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/history/ |access-date=August 29, 2022 |website=[[City of Fresno]] |language=en-US}}</ref>


In 1939, the streetcar system was purchased by [[National City Lines]], known for its role in the [[General Motors streetcar conspiracy]]. The company renamed the system Fresno City Lines, and like the other lines it purchased around the nation, National City Lines started to replace Fresno's rail system with buses and all streetcar operations ended on May 20, 1939.<ref name="FAX History" /><ref name="wrr">{{cite journal |last=Renovich |first=Steve |year=1960 |title=Fresno Traction |journal=The Western Railroader |publisher=Francis A. Guido |volume=23 |issue=248 |pages=3–6}}</ref>
==History==
[[File:Fresno Area Express Q BRT bus.jpg|thumb|left|A Fresno Area Express Q BRT bus stopped at a station]]
The public transportation system in Fresno started in January 1889. This was a horse car line. By 1926 Fulton Street was the hub of Fresno's business section. It had replaced Fresno and Mariposa Streets for commercial buildings and in so doing eliminated Fresno's only Nob Hill, all four feet of it. The streetcar era, which began in May 1887, on J Street, was one of three streetcar lines in the young city. In 1901 the Fresno City Railway Company merged the three and in the spring of 1903 the [[Fresno Traction Company]], then the owners, converted the lines to electricity. These electric streetcars operated on approximately 42 miles of track by the mid-twenties. The electric streetcars were used until 1939, when the transit company replaced them with buses.<ref name="atu2">[http://atu1027.org/localatu.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050828101157/http://atu1027.org/localatu.htm|date=August 28, 2005}}</ref>


The city of Fresno took control of Fresno City Lines in 1961, renaming it Fresno Municipal Lines. The system would be renamed Fresno Transit in 1969 and received its current name, Fresno Area Express or FAX, in 1989.<ref name="FAX History" />
===Timeline<ref name="atu2"/>===
*1887-1901 Fresno City, Belmont & Yosemite Railroad
*1901-1915 Fresno City Railway
*1915-1939 Fresno Traction Co.
*1939 sold to [[National City Lines]]/streetcars discontinued
*1939-1946 Fresno City Lines
*1946-1961 Fresno City Lines, Inc.
*1961 City of Fresno Takes over Municipal Bus Service
*1961-1969 Fresno Municipal Lines
*After 1969 Fresno Transit
*1989 Name Changed to Fresno Area Express or FAX


In 2001, FAX started the process of converting its fleet to be fueled by [[compressed natural gas]] (CNG), a process that was expected to take about 10 years.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=McEwen |first1=Bill |last2=Wasserman |first2=Jim |date=January 31, 2001 |title=Fresno Buses to run on Natural Gas |pages=B1, B4 |work=[[The Fresno Bee]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/709016748 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-08-29 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
==Routes==

Accurate as of March 1, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1= |title=Department of Transportation |url=http://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/routes/ |website=City of Fresno |access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=FAX Newsletter February 2021 ENGLISH FINAL |url=https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/02/FAX-Newsletter-February-2021-ENGLISH-FINAL.pdf |website=City of Fresno |access-date=23 February 2021}}</ref>
In January 2017, the agency introduced FAX15, a frequent bus service, on the Shaw Avenue and Cedar Avenue corridors.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sheehan |first=Tim |date=January 7, 2017 |title=FAX to offer more frequent buses on routes to, from Fresno State |work=[[Fresno Bee]] |url=https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article125018019.html |access-date=August 28, 2022}}</ref> On these lines, buses arrive every 15 minutes on weekdays between 6 am and 6 pm. Bus stops along the FAX15 lines were improved in 2022 and 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 2, 2022 |title=Shaw-Cedar Bus Stop Improvement Project |url=https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2022/06/Shaw-Cedar-Project-Flyer-FINAL_050222.pdf |access-date=August 28, 2022 |website=Fresno Area Express}}</ref> A third FAX15 route along the 1st Street corridor was added in August 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 14, 2023 |title=We're extending our reach and reducing your wait time |url=https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/were-extending-our-reach-reducing-your-wait-time/ |access-date=September 8, 2023 |website=Fresno Area Express}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"

[[FAX Q]], a frequent bus service that the agency brands as [[bus rapid transit]], opened on February 19, 2018. The {{Convert|15.7|mi|km|adj=on}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2015 |title=Fresno Area Express "Q" Blackstone/Kings Canyon Bus Rapid Transit |url=https://www.transit.dot.gov/sites/fta.dot.gov/files/docs/CA_Fresno_FAX_blackstone-kings_canyon_bus_rail_transit.pdf |access-date=August 28, 2022 |website=[[Federal Transit Administration]]}}</ref> line operates on the Blackstone and Ventura/Kings Canyon transit corridors and cost {{US$|56 million}} to build.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Jessica |date=February 20, 2018 |title=Fresno's new transit system offers faster service, plush seats and bright blue buses |work=[[Fresno Bee]] |url=https://www.fresnobee.com/article200967104.html |access-date=August 28, 2022}}</ref>

The agency started the process of converting to a zero tailpipe emission fleet in 2021, with the introduction of two [[battery-electric bus]]es in late 2021.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1423433953298419712 |user=FresnoFAX |title=We are on our way to becoming electric! We plan on releasing two zero-emission buses to our fleet, beginning around November 1st, 2021, with seven additional electric buses by mid-2022. This will be a positive change for our city and our riders. |author=Fresno Area Express |date=August 5, 2021 |access-date=August 6, 2021}}</ref> The agency also plans to purchase hydrogen [[fuel cell bus]]es. FAX expects to purchase its last CNG-fueled buses in 2027, and retire them by 2040.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan |url=https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-12/FAX_ICT_ROP_ADA122120.pdf |website=[[California Air Resources Board]] |publisher=Fresno Area Express}}</ref>

== Routes ==
Accurate {{As of|2023|08|14|lc=y|df=US}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Department of Transportation |url=http://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/routes/ |access-date=23 February 2021 |website=City of Fresno}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2021 |title=FAX Newsletter |url=https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2021/02/FAX-Newsletter-February-2021-ENGLISH-FINAL.pdf |access-date=23 February 2021 |website=City of Fresno}}</ref>
{{Sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header"
|-
|-
! Route !! Service type !! North or west terminal !! Destinations served !! South or east terminal
!Route
!Service type!!North or West Terminal
!Destinations Served
!South or East Terminal
|-
|-
| [[FAX Q|1 – Q Bus Rapid Transit]] || [[FAX Q|Q BRT]] || [[Woodward Park (Fresno)|Woodward Park]]<br />(Fresno & Friant) || [[River Park (Fresno, California)|River Park]], Manchester Transit Center, [[Fresno City College]], Downtown Transit Center, [[The Big Fresno Fair|Fresno Fairgrounds]] || Sunnyside<br />(Kings Canyon & Clovis)
|1 – Q Bus Rapid Transit
|Q BRT
|North Fresno (Fresno & Friant)
|[[River Park (Fresno, California)|River Park]], Manchester Transit Center, [[Fresno City College]], Downtown Transit Center, [[The Big Fresno Fair|Fresno Fairgrounds]]
|Sunnyside (Kings Canyon & Clovis)
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|3}} 3 – Herndon || Regular || Marketplace at El Paseo<br />(Herndon & Riverside) || [[Sierra Sky Park Airport]], Saint Agnes Medical Center, [[Clovis North Educational Center]] || [[Clovis Community College (California)|Clovis Community College]]<br />(Willow & International)
|3 – Herndon
|Regular
|Riverside & Herndon
|Marketplace at El Paseo, [[Sierra Sky Park Airport]], Saint Agnes Medical Center, [[Clovis Community College (California)|Clovis Community College Herndon Campus]]
|Willow & Herndon
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|9}} 9 – Shaw || FAX 15 || Shaw & Brawley || Fig Garden Shopping Center, [[Fashion Fair]], [[California State University, Fresno|Fresno State]], [[Sierra Vista Mall]] || Shaw & Cole<br />Shaw & Willow {{small|(short turn)}}
|9 – Shaw
|FAX 15
|Brawley & Shaw
|Fig Garden Shopping Center, [[Fashion Fair]], [[California State University, Fresno|Fresno State University]]
|Shaw & Cole
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|12}} 12 – Brawley || Regular || Shaw & Brawley || [[Central High School (Fresno, California)|Central High School East Campus]], Inspiration Park, [[Forestiere Underground Gardens]] || Brawley & Shields
|12 – Brawley
|Regular
|Brawley & Shaw
|[[Central High School (Fresno, California)|Central High School East Campus]], Inspiration Park, [[Forestiere Underground Gardens]]
|Brawley & Shields
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|20}} 20 – Hughes/McKinley || Regular || Marketplace at El Paseo<br />(Herndon & Riverside) || [[Fresno High School]], Fresno City College || VA Medical Center<br />(Fresno Street & Clinton)
|20 – Hughes/McKinley
|Regular
|Riverside & Herndon
|Marketplace at El Paseo, Fresno High School, Fresno City College, VA Medical Center
|Fresno Street & Clinton
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|22}} 22 – West Ave/Tulare || Regular || West & Bullard || Fig Garden Library, Downtown Transit Center, {{Rint|us|amtrak}}{{nbsp}}[[Santa Fe Passenger Depot (Fresno, California)|Santa Fe Passenger Depot]] || Clovis & Kings Canyon<br />Burgan & Butler {{small|(peak hours)}}
|22 – West Ave/Tulare
|Regular
|West & Bullard
|Fig Garden Library, Downtown Transit Center, [[Santa Fe Passenger Depot (Fresno, California)|Santa Fe Passenger Depot]]
|Clovis & Kings Canyon
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|26}} 26 – Palm/Butler || Regular || Nees & Blackstone || [[Bullard High School (Fresno, California)|Bullard High School]], Fresno High School, Tower District, Downtown Transit Center, [[Fresno Fairgrounds]], Mosqueda Community Center, [[Fresno Pacific University]] || {{Rint|air|link=Fresno Yosemite International Airport}} [[Fresno Yosemite International Airport]]
|26 – Palm/Butler
|Regular
|Nees & Blackstone
|Bullard High School, Fresno High School, Tower District, Downtown Transit Center, Fresno Fairgrounds, Mosqueda Community Center, [[Fresno Pacific University]]
|[[Fresno Yosemite International Airport]]
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|28}} 28 – DSS/Manchester Center/West Fresno || Regular || County of Fresno Clovis Campus<br />(Dakota & Peach) || Manchester Transit Center, Fresno City College, Fresno High School, [[Fresno Chandler Executive Airport]] || Crystal & Kearney
|28 – DSS/Manchester Center/West Fresno
|Regular
|Dakota & Peach
|Department of Social Services (DSS), Manchester Transit Center, Fresno City College, Fresno High School, FAX Offices, [[Fresno Chandler Executive Airport]]
|Crystal & Kearney
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|32}} 32 – Fresno St || Regular || [[River Park (Fresno, California)|River Park]]<br />(El Paso & Blackstone)<br />Downtown Transit Center {{small|(late nights)}} || Kaiser Hospital, VA Medical Center, [[Community Regional Medical Center]], Downtown Transit Center || North & Elm
|32 – Fresno St
|Regular
|El Paso & Blackstone
|River Park, Kaiser Hospital, VA Medical Center, Community Regional Medical Center, Downtown Transit Center
|North & Elm
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|33}} 33 – Belmont || Regular || Belmont & Delno || [[Roeding Park]], [[Fresno Chaffee Zoo]] || Maple & Butler
|33 – Belmont
|Regular
|Belmont & Delno
|Roeding Park, [[Fresno Chaffee Zoo]]
|Maple & Butler
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|34}} 34 – 1st St || FAX 15 || River Park<br />(El Paso & Blackstone) || River Park, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Politi Library, Hoover High School, Fashion Fair, Downtown Transit Center || North Pointe Business Park
|34 – 1st St
|Regular
|El Paso & Blackstone
|River Park, Politi Library, Hoover High School, Fashion Fair, Downtown Transit Center
|Jensen & Cherry
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|35}} 35 – Olive || Regular || Brawley & Shields || Roeding Park, Tower District || Olive & Peach
|35 – Olive
|Regular
|Brawley & Shields
|Roeding Park, Tower District
|Olive & Peach
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|38}} 38 – Cedar || FAX 15 || River Park<br />(El Paso & Blackstone) || River Park, Fresno State University, Duncan Polytechnical High School, [[McLane High School]], Roosevelt High School || Downtown Transit Center
|38 – Cedar
|FAX 15
|El Paso & Blackstone
|River Park, Fresno State University, Duncan Polytechnical High School, McLane High School, Roosevelt High School
|Downtown Transit Center
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|39}} 39 – FYI/Clinton || Regular || Shields & Brawley || VA Medical Center, McLane High School || {{Rint|air|link=Fresno Yosemite International Airport}} [[Fresno Yosemite International Airport]]
|39 – FYI/Clinton
|Regular
|Shields & Brawley
|VA Medical Center, McLane High School, Cedar Clinton Library
|Fresno Yosemite International Airport
|-
|-
|41 – Malaga/Shields/Chestnut
| {{Anchor|41}} 41 – Malaga/Shields/Chestnut || Regular || Marks & Shaw || Manchester Transit Center, Fresno Pacific University || Grand & Harding
|Regular
|Marks & Shaw
|Manchester Transit Center, Fresno Pacific University
|Grand & Harding
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|45}} 45 – Ashlan || Regular || [[Justin Garza High School]]|| Central High School East Campus || Shields & Stanford
|45 – Ashlan
|Regular
|Ashlan & Cornelia
|Central High School East Campus
|Shields & Stanford
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|58}} 58 – NE Fresno || Regular || River Park<br />(El Paso & Blackstone) || [[Clovis West High School]], Woodward Park Regional Library || Champlain & Perrin
|58 – NE Fresno
|Regular
|El Paso & Blackstone
|Kaiser Hospital, Clovis West High School, Woodward Park Regional Library
|Champlain & Perrin
|-
|-
| {{Anchor|58E}} 58E – Children's Hospital || Express || [[Valley Children's Hospital]] || (no stops; connects to [[Madera County Connection]] at Valley Children's Hospital) || River Park<br />(El Paso & Blackstone)
|58E – Children's Hospital
|Express
|[[Valley Children's Hospital]]
|(no stops)
|El Paso & Blackstone
|}
|}


=== Transit centers ===
==Roster==
Fresno Area Express has two primary [[Transport hub|transit center]]s, hubs where passengers can transfer between several routes. The Manchester Transit Center is located on the west side of Blackstone Avenue and is served by routes 1, 28 and 41, additionally, it is the location of the FAX Customer Service Center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=FAX Offices – Hours and Services |url=https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/hours-and-facilities/ |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=City of Fresno |language=en-US}}</ref> The Downtown Transit Center is located at Courthouse Park and is served by routes 1, 22, 26, 28, 32, 34 and 38, along with the [[Fresno County Rural Transit Agency]]'s [[Fresno County Rural Transit Agency#Coalinga|Coalinga]], [[Fresno County Rural Transit Agency#Orange Cove|Orange Cove]], [[Fresno County Rural Transit Agency#Southeast|Southeast]] and [[Fresno County Rural Transit Agency#Westside|Westside]] routes, along with [[Visalia Transit]]'s [[V-LINE]] service.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2022 |title=Downtown Transit Center Map |url=https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2022/01/Downtown-Transit-Map.pdf |access-date=August 22, 2022 |website=City of Fresno}}</ref>


===Current Fleet===
== Fleet ==
{{As of|2024|8||df=us}}, Fresno Area Express has a fleet of 136 buses, with 110 needed for service on weekdays and 77 on weekends. The buses in the spare fleet are used when necessary to cover for buses that need to be taken out of service for maintenance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 8, 2024 |title=FAX Designated Bus Assignments |url=https://atu1027.org/main/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/3.11.24_RunGuide.pdf |access-date=June 21, 2024 |page=35}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"

The fleet primarily consists of 40-foot buses powered by CNG-fueled engines, but there are also three 29-foot buses for use on low-ridership routes and nine battery electric buses as the agency begins its transition to a zero tailpipe emissions fleet.
{{sticky header}}
{| class="wikitable sticky-header" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
!Model number
!Fleet<br/>Number Range
!Length
!{{Abbr|Fleet #|Fleet number range}}
!{{Abbr|Qty.|Quantity}}
!Year
!Year
!Manufacturer
!Model Number
!Power type
!Power type
!Notes
!Notes
|-
| [[New Flyer Low Floor|New Flyer C40LF]] || rowspan=3 | 40' || 0508–0510 || 3 || 2005 || rowspan=3 | [[CNG]] || align="left" |Spare fleet, 0501–0507 retired
|-
| rowspan=2 | [[New Flyer Low Floor|New Flyer C40LFR]] || 0601–0615 || 14 || 2006 || align="left" |Spare fleet, 0607 retired
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 0901–0916 || 16 || 2009 || align="left" |
|0501-0510
|- l
|2005
| rowspan=4 | [[Gillig Low Floor|Gillig Low Floor BRT]] || 40' || 1101–1109 || 9 || 2011 || rowspan=4 | CNG || align="left" |
|[[New Flyer Industries|New Flyer]]
|[[New Flyer Low Floor|C40LF]]
|[[CNG]]
|
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 29' || 1201–1203 || 3 || 2012 || align="left" |
|0601-0615
|-
|2006
| rowspan=2 | 40' || 1401–1410 || 10 || 2014 || align="left" |
|New Flyer
|-
|C40LFR
| 1612–1617 || 6 || 2016 || align="left" |
|CNG
|
|-
| rowspan="7" |[[Gillig Low Floor|Gillig Low Floor BRT Plus]] || rowspan="7" | 40' || 1601–1611 || 11 || 2016 || rowspan="7" | CNG || align="left"|Used on FAX15 routes.
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 1701–1726 || 26 || 2017 || align="left" |1701–1708 used on FAX15 routes.<br />1709–1726 used on FAX Q route.
|0901-0916
|-
|2009
| 1801 || 1 || 2018 || align="left"|
|New Flyer
|-
|C40LFR
| 1905–1906 || 2 || 2019 || align="left" |
|CNG
|
|-
| 2001–2008 || 8 || 2020 || align="left" |
|- style="text-align:center;"
|-
|0917
| 2103–2108 || 6 || 2021 || align="left" |
|2009
|-
|New Flyer
| 2403–2414 || 12 || 2024 ||
|GE40LFR
|-
|[[Gasoline-electric hybrid|Gasoline–Electric Hybrid]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Proterra ZX5]] || rowspan="2" | 40' || 2101–2102 || 2 || 2021 || rowspan="2" | [[Battery electric bus|Battery electric]] || rowspan="2" align="left" |
| align="left" |Used as back up, not in regular service.
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1101-1109
|2011-2012
|[[Gillig]]
|[[Gillig Low Floor|BRT CNG 40']]<br/>(G27D102N4)
|CNG
|
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| 2201–2207 || 7 || 2022
|1201-1203
|2012
|Gillig
|BRT CNG 29'<br/>(G27E102N2)
|CNG
|
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1401-1410
|2014
|Gillig
|BRT CNG 40'<br/>(G27D102N4)
|CNG
|
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1601-1611
|2016
|Gillig
|BRT Plus CNG 40'<br/>(G27D102N4)
|CNG
| align="left" |Used on FAX15 routes.
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1612-1617
|2016
|Gillig
|BRT CNG 40'<br/>(G27D102N4)
|CNG
|
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1701-1726
|2017
|Gillig
|BRT Plus CNG 40'<br/>(G31D102N4)
|CNG
| align="left" |1701-1709 are used on FAX15 routes.<br/>1710-1726 are used on FAX Q BRT route.
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1801
|2018
|Gillig
|BRT Plus CNG 40'<br/>(G31D102N4)
|CNG
| align="left" |First bus to feature updated FAX livery.
|- style="text-align:center;"
|1905-1906
|2019
|Gillig
|BRT Plus CNG 40'<br/>(G31D102N4)
|CNG
| align="left" |Additional FAX15 buses.
|- style="text-align:center;"
|2001-2008
|2020
|Gillig
|BRT Plus CNG 40'<br/>(G31D102N4)
|CNG
| align="left" |Entered service in September 2020.
|- style="text-align:center;"
|2101–2102
|2021
|[[Proterra (bus manufacturer)|Proterra]]
|[[Proterra_(bus_manufacturer)#ZX5|ZX5]]
|[[Battery electric bus|Battery electric]]
| align="left" |Scheduled to enter service on November 1st, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=@Fresno FAX on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/FresnoFAX/status/1423433953298419712 |website=Twitter |publisher=@Fresno FAX |access-date=6 August 2021}}</ref>
|- style="text-align:center;"
|2103-2108
|2021
|Gillig
|BRT Plus CNG 40' <br/>(G31D102N4)
|CNG
|
|}
|}



<!-- ===On Order===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|+Future fleet
|-
|-
!Model number
!Fleet<br/>Number Range
!Length
!{{Abbr|Fleet #|Fleet number range}}
!{{Abbr|Qty.|Quantity}}
!Year
!Year
!Manufacturer
!Model Number
!Power type
!Power type
!Engine
!Transmission
!Notes
!Notes
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| [[New Flyer Xcelsior|New Flyer XHE40]] || 40' || 2401–2402 || 2 || 2024 || [[Fuel cell bus|Hydrogen]] || align="left" | In testing<ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Fresno - File #: ID 23-653 |url=https://fresno.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=6197054&GUID=F1DAFA82-6FB1-42F0-818B-AED8C95F08BF&FullText=1 |access-date=2024-05-05 |website=fresno.legistar.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Taub |first=David |date=2024-05-03 |title=Fresno Approves Hydrogen Contract for New Buses. How Far is the Filling Station? |url=https://gvwire.com/2024/05/03/fresno-approves-hydrogen-contract-for-new-buses-how-far-is-the-filling-station/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=GV Wire |language=en-US}}</ref>
|7 Units
|}
|2022
|Unknown
|Unknown
|[[Battery electric
| align="left" |7 additional Battery Electric Units scheduled to be delivered in mid-2022. Unknown Manufacurer, Unknown Fleet Numbers.<ref>{{cite web |title=@Fresno FAX on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/FresnoFAX/status/1423433953298419712 |website=Twitter |publisher=@Fresno FAX |access-date=6 August 2021}}</ref>
|} -->


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

{{Valley Transit}}


[[Category:Bus transportation in California]]
[[Category:Bus transportation in California]]
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[[Category:Transportation in Fresno, California]]
[[Category:Transportation in Fresno, California]]
[[Category:Transit agencies in California]]
[[Category:Transit agencies in California]]
[[Category:1889 establishments in California]]

Latest revision as of 20:56, 9 January 2025

Fresno Area Express
FAX bus operating on Route 3 in January 2022
ParentCity of Fresno Department of Transportation
Founded1887
Service areaFresno and Clovis, California
Service typeBus service, paratransit
Routes18
Stops1,606
Hubs2 (Downtown, Manchester)
Fleet124 buses
Daily ridership40,300 (weekdays, Q3 2024)[1]
Annual ridership8,973,000 (2023)[2]
Fuel typeCNG, battery-electric, hydrogen
Websitefresno.gov/fax
System map (August 2023)

Fresno Area Express (FAX) is a public transportation operator in Fresno, California. The system had over 100 buses, 1,606 bus stops, and 18 routes as of August 2022. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 8,973,000, or about 40,300 per weekday as of the third quarter of 2024. FAX fixed routes run as far south as Malaga to Valley Children's Hospital in the north. Lines also run as far east as Fowler Avenue in Clovis, and as far west as Hayes Avenue near Highway 99 in western Fresno.[3]

FAX has paratransit operations called Handy Ride, operated by a private contractor. FAX offers free transfers as well as wheelchair lifts and bike racks on all buses.[4]

History

[edit]

The public transportation system in Fresno started in January 1889 with horse-drawn streetcars. By 1901, lines had been established on Fulton, Fresno, and Mariposa Streets, which merged into the Fresno City Railway Company. The company was renamed the Fresno Traction Company in 1903 as employees began the process of converting the lines to electric streetcars. These electric streetcars operated on approximately 42 miles of track by the mid-1920s.[5]

In 1939, the streetcar system was purchased by National City Lines, known for its role in the General Motors streetcar conspiracy. The company renamed the system Fresno City Lines, and like the other lines it purchased around the nation, National City Lines started to replace Fresno's rail system with buses and all streetcar operations ended on May 20, 1939.[5][6]

The city of Fresno took control of Fresno City Lines in 1961, renaming it Fresno Municipal Lines. The system would be renamed Fresno Transit in 1969 and received its current name, Fresno Area Express or FAX, in 1989.[5]

In 2001, FAX started the process of converting its fleet to be fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), a process that was expected to take about 10 years.[7]

In January 2017, the agency introduced FAX15, a frequent bus service, on the Shaw Avenue and Cedar Avenue corridors.[8] On these lines, buses arrive every 15 minutes on weekdays between 6 am and 6 pm. Bus stops along the FAX15 lines were improved in 2022 and 2023.[9] A third FAX15 route along the 1st Street corridor was added in August 2023.[10]

FAX Q, a frequent bus service that the agency brands as bus rapid transit, opened on February 19, 2018. The 15.7-mile (25.3 km)[11] line operates on the Blackstone and Ventura/Kings Canyon transit corridors and cost US$56 million to build.[12]

The agency started the process of converting to a zero tailpipe emission fleet in 2021, with the introduction of two battery-electric buses in late 2021.[13] The agency also plans to purchase hydrogen fuel cell buses. FAX expects to purchase its last CNG-fueled buses in 2027, and retire them by 2040.[14]

Routes

[edit]

Accurate as of August 14, 2023.[15][16]

Route Service type North or west terminal Destinations served South or east terminal
1 – Q Bus Rapid Transit Q BRT Woodward Park
(Fresno & Friant)		 River Park, Manchester Transit Center, Fresno City College, Downtown Transit Center, Fresno Fairgrounds Sunnyside
(Kings Canyon & Clovis)
3 – Herndon Regular Marketplace at El Paseo
(Herndon & Riverside)		 Sierra Sky Park Airport, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Clovis North Educational Center Clovis Community College
(Willow & International)
9 – Shaw FAX 15 Shaw & Brawley Fig Garden Shopping Center, Fashion Fair, Fresno State, Sierra Vista Mall Shaw & Cole
Shaw & Willow (short turn)
12 – Brawley Regular Shaw & Brawley Central High School East Campus, Inspiration Park, Forestiere Underground Gardens Brawley & Shields
20 – Hughes/McKinley Regular Marketplace at El Paseo
(Herndon & Riverside)		 Fresno High School, Fresno City College VA Medical Center
(Fresno Street & Clinton)
22 – West Ave/Tulare Regular West & Bullard Fig Garden Library, Downtown Transit Center, Amtrak Santa Fe Passenger Depot Clovis & Kings Canyon
Burgan & Butler (peak hours)
26 – Palm/Butler Regular Nees & Blackstone Bullard High School, Fresno High School, Tower District, Downtown Transit Center, Fresno Fairgrounds, Mosqueda Community Center, Fresno Pacific University Fresno Yosemite International Airport Fresno Yosemite International Airport
28 – DSS/Manchester Center/West Fresno Regular County of Fresno Clovis Campus
(Dakota & Peach)		 Manchester Transit Center, Fresno City College, Fresno High School, Fresno Chandler Executive Airport Crystal & Kearney
32 – Fresno St Regular River Park
(El Paso & Blackstone)
Downtown Transit Center (late nights)		 Kaiser Hospital, VA Medical Center, Community Regional Medical Center, Downtown Transit Center North & Elm
33 – Belmont Regular Belmont & Delno Roeding Park, Fresno Chaffee Zoo Maple & Butler
34 – 1st St FAX 15 River Park
(El Paso & Blackstone)		 River Park, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Politi Library, Hoover High School, Fashion Fair, Downtown Transit Center North Pointe Business Park
35 – Olive Regular Brawley & Shields Roeding Park, Tower District Olive & Peach
38 – Cedar FAX 15 River Park
(El Paso & Blackstone)		 River Park, Fresno State University, Duncan Polytechnical High School, McLane High School, Roosevelt High School Downtown Transit Center
39 – FYI/Clinton Regular Shields & Brawley VA Medical Center, McLane High School Fresno Yosemite International Airport Fresno Yosemite International Airport
41 – Malaga/Shields/Chestnut Regular Marks & Shaw Manchester Transit Center, Fresno Pacific University Grand & Harding
45 – Ashlan Regular Justin Garza High School Central High School East Campus Shields & Stanford
58 – NE Fresno Regular River Park
(El Paso & Blackstone)		 Clovis West High School, Woodward Park Regional Library Champlain & Perrin
58E – Children's Hospital Express Valley Children's Hospital (no stops; connects to Madera County Connection at Valley Children's Hospital) River Park
(El Paso & Blackstone)

Transit centers

[edit]

Fresno Area Express has two primary transit centers, hubs where passengers can transfer between several routes. The Manchester Transit Center is located on the west side of Blackstone Avenue and is served by routes 1, 28 and 41, additionally, it is the location of the FAX Customer Service Center.[17] The Downtown Transit Center is located at Courthouse Park and is served by routes 1, 22, 26, 28, 32, 34 and 38, along with the Fresno County Rural Transit Agency's Coalinga, Orange Cove, Southeast and Westside routes, along with Visalia Transit's V-LINE service.[18]

Fleet

[edit]

As of August 2024, Fresno Area Express has a fleet of 136 buses, with 110 needed for service on weekdays and 77 on weekends. The buses in the spare fleet are used when necessary to cover for buses that need to be taken out of service for maintenance.[19]

The fleet primarily consists of 40-foot buses powered by CNG-fueled engines, but there are also three 29-foot buses for use on low-ridership routes and nine battery electric buses as the agency begins its transition to a zero tailpipe emissions fleet.

Model number Length Fleet # Qty. Year Power type Notes
New Flyer C40LF 40' 0508–0510 3 2005 CNG Spare fleet, 0501–0507 retired
New Flyer C40LFR 0601–0615 14 2006 Spare fleet, 0607 retired
0901–0916 16 2009
Gillig Low Floor BRT 40' 1101–1109 9 2011 CNG
29' 1201–1203 3 2012
40' 1401–1410 10 2014
1612–1617 6 2016
Gillig Low Floor BRT Plus 40' 1601–1611 11 2016 CNG Used on FAX15 routes.
1701–1726 26 2017 1701–1708 used on FAX15 routes.
1709–1726 used on FAX Q route.
1801 1 2018
1905–1906 2 2019
2001–2008 8 2020
2103–2108 6 2021
2403–2414 12 2024
Proterra ZX5 40' 2101–2102 2 2021 Battery electric
2201–2207 7 2022
Future fleet
Model number Length Fleet # Qty. Year Power type Notes
New Flyer XHE40 40' 2401–2402 2 2024 Hydrogen In testing[20][21]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Third Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. November 20, 2024. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. ^ "FAX : System Map" (PDF). Fresno.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2015.
  4. ^ [1] Archived April 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b c "Fresno Area Express History". City of Fresno. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
  6. ^ Renovich, Steve (1960). "Fresno Traction". The Western Railroader. 23 (248). Francis A. Guido: 3–6.
  7. ^ McEwen, Bill; Wasserman, Jim (January 31, 2001). "Fresno Buses to run on Natural Gas". The Fresno Bee. pp. B1, B4. Retrieved August 29, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Sheehan, Tim (January 7, 2017). "FAX to offer more frequent buses on routes to, from Fresno State". Fresno Bee. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  9. ^ "Shaw-Cedar Bus Stop Improvement Project" (PDF). Fresno Area Express. May 2, 2022. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  10. ^ "We're extending our reach and reducing your wait time". Fresno Area Express. August 14, 2023. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  11. ^ "Fresno Area Express "Q" Blackstone/Kings Canyon Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). Federal Transit Administration. November 2015. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Johnson, Jessica (February 20, 2018). "Fresno's new transit system offers faster service, plush seats and bright blue buses". Fresno Bee. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  13. ^ Fresno Area Express [@FresnoFAX] (August 5, 2021). "We are on our way to becoming electric! We plan on releasing two zero-emission buses to our fleet, beginning around November 1st, 2021, with seven additional electric buses by mid-2022. This will be a positive change for our city and our riders" (Tweet). Retrieved August 6, 2021 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ "Zero Emission Bus Rollout Plan" (PDF). California Air Resources Board. Fresno Area Express.
  15. ^ "Department of Transportation". City of Fresno. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  16. ^ "FAX Newsletter" (PDF). City of Fresno. February 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  17. ^ "FAX Offices – Hours and Services". City of Fresno. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "Downtown Transit Center Map" (PDF). City of Fresno. January 13, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  19. ^ "FAX Designated Bus Assignments" (PDF). February 8, 2024. p. 35. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  20. ^ "City of Fresno - File #: ID 23-653". fresno.legistar.com. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Taub, David (May 3, 2024). "Fresno Approves Hydrogen Contract for New Buses. How Far is the Filling Station?". GV Wire. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
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