Frequent Express (FX) is a high-capacity[3] bus service in Portland, Oregon, United States. Operated by TriMet as FX2–Division, the 15-mile (24 km) route runs east–west from 5th & Hoyt on the Portland Transit Mall in downtown Portland to Cleveland Avenue Park and Ride in Gresham via Division Street. It connects Portland City Center, Portland State University (PSU), South Waterfront, Southeast Portland, and central Gresham, with transfers to MAX Light Rail and the Portland Streetcar.
FX2–Division | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overview | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
System | Frequent Express | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operator | TriMet | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Garage | Powell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Vehicle | Nova Bus LFS articulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Status | Operational | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Began service | September 18, 2022[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Predecessors | 2–Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Route | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Locale | Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Start | 5th & Hoyt, Union Station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Via | Portland Transit Mall, Division Street | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
End | Cleveland Park and Ride, Gresham | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Length | 15 mi (24 km) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stations | 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level | Daily | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frequency | 12 minutes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daily ridership | 8,100 (Spring 2024)[2] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
FX features some bus rapid transit (BRT) design elements such as dedicated lanes, transit signal priority, and 60-foot (18 m) buses with all-door boarding. It is the second such service in the Portland metropolitan area after The Vine in Vancouver, Washington. Fares are collected through the Hop Fastpass payment system.
The Portland metropolitan area's regional government, Metro, adopted the Regional High Capacity Transit System Plan in 2009 and initially identified Powell Boulevard between downtown Portland and Gresham as a priority for public transit investment. Subsequent planning ultimately resulted in a bus route alternative farther north along Division Street. Construction of the Division Transit Project began in October 2019, and the FX2–Division route opened on September 18, 2022.
History
editPlanning
editHigh-capacity transit (HCT)[a] planning for the Portland metropolitan area, previously evaluated in the 1982 Light Rail System Plan,[6]: 2–3 was updated by Metro, the regional government, when it adopted the Regional High Capacity Transit System Plan on July 9, 2009.[6]: e [7] The updated plan identified corridors viable for HCT and deemed Powell Boulevard between downtown Portland and the eastern suburb of Gresham a "near-term regional priority".[6]: 22–23 [8] Four years later, Metro and the region's transit agency, TriMet, began studying alignment and mode alternatives for the corridor, as well as for Division Street several blocks farther north, with BRT, light rail, and streetcar under consideration.[9][10] At the time, Powell and Division were served by bus routes 9–Powell Blvd and 4–Division/Fessenden, respectively, which together carried more than 17,000 riders daily.[11]
In 2014, a steering committee for the Powell–Division Transit and Development Project was formed,[12] whose members voted that September to discontinue studying rail alternatives in favor of bus-only options, citing fewer property and roadway impacts and a shorter construction time.[13] Conceptual design work began two months later.[12] The following year, plans for dedicated bus lanes, a key feature of BRT, were abandoned;[14] planners defended this decision by claiming that reducing car lanes would "likely result in traffic diversion to other streets and significant delay".[15] The system would use transit signal priority to move buses quickly instead.[14]
The steering committee initially wanted a route that would use Powell Boulevard on its westernmost section, head north to Division Street somewhere between 52nd and 92nd avenues, and terminate at Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) in Gresham.[13][16] In March 2016, a study conducted by TriMet revealed that this preferred route would take approximately 11 minutes longer to travel than the existing bus service.[17] It was also estimated to exceed $200 million;[18]: 8, 10 to ensure federal funding was acquired, a target cost was set at $175 million.[19] The steering committee recommended a locally preferred alternative (LPA) on November 7, 2016.[20] The LPA dropped the Powell segment in favor of a Division Street-only alignment, with a route through the Portland Transit Mall instead of Columbia and Jefferson streets in downtown Portland. The steering committee had remained undecided on whether the route would use the Hawthorne Bridge or Tilikum Crossing to cross the Willamette River,[18]: 6, 7 but TriMet planners later opted to use Tilikum Crossing.[21] The LPA had also scaled back the route's eastern end to terminate at Gresham Central Transit Center, rather than at MHCC, to lower cost,[18]: 10 [22] but subsequent LPA refinements re-extended the route slightly farther east to the Cleveland Avenue MAX station.[21]
Metro transferred the project to TriMet in December 2016,[23] and TriMet renamed it the "Division Transit Project".[24] The design contract for stations, traffic signals, and civil infrastructure improvements was awarded to WSP USA the following year.[25][26] In September 2018, scheduled service changes split bus route 4–Division/Fessenden into two lines, and a new 2–Division line took over the Division Transit Project route on the east side.[27][28] The following month, TriMet unveiled a mock-up station in Gresham with a borrowed articulated bus from C-Tran, the transit agency serving Clark County, Washington, to simulate boarding.[29][30] In March 2019, TriMet issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the procurement of 60-foot (18 m) articulated buses and received responses from BYD Auto, New Flyer, and Nova Bus. During an initial evaluation process, TriMet noted that the battery electric buses proposed by BYD and New Flyer did not meet the RFP's specifications and eliminated the bus type from further consideration. That August, TriMet selected Nova as the manufacturer and, in the following month, placed an initial order for 31 diesel buses with an option to purchase as many as 159 diesel and hybrid electric bus alternatives.[31][32]
Funding and construction
editThe Division Transit Project was estimated at $175 million,[33] half of which was anticipated to be funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) under the Small Starts program.[34][35] In August 2018, the Portland City Council authorized $17.7 million to cover its share of local funding, sourced through developer fees,[36] and Gresham allocated $500,000 the following month.[37] The project received tentative approval from the FTA for $87.4 million in April 2019,[38] and was formally awarded the grant on January 23, 2020.[39][40] Federal Highway Administration funds contributed another $27.9 million, while $40.7 million from TriMet, $240,000 from Metro, $150,000 from the Oregon Department of Transportation, and $130,000 from Multnomah County covered the remaining local share.[41]
TriMet appointed Portland-based Raimore Construction, a certified disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE), as the Division Transit Project's general contractor.[39] It was the largest contract ever awarded in Oregon to a DBE—a business majority-owned by women or minorities.[42] DBEs ultimately completed at least 84 percent of the overall project.[42] Early construction work began in October 2019. Work was split into three zones on the east side and progressed concurrently from east to west.[43][3] Construction of the first station platforms had begun by June 2020.[44] By October, 19 platforms had been poured, and seven bioswales and five pedestrian safety islands had been built.[45] Crews completed around 40 percent of the project within the first year despite working through the COVID-19 pandemic.[46][47] In April 2021, TriMet opened the first two upgraded stations at 130th Avenue eastbound and 135th Avenue westbound for use by buses on the existing 2–Division route.[48][49] That June, TriMet unveiled the articulated bus that would serve the project and announced that the service would be called "Frequent Express", or "FX".[50][51] Operator training of the new buses started in April 2022.[52][53]
While building the Division Transit Project, TriMet collaborated with the Portland Bureau of Transportation's (PBOT) Outer Division Safety Project, which focused on an area between 80th and 174th avenues, for additional safety improvements; PBOT lowered the speed limit to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h), installed speed cameras and more street lighting, filled in sidewalks, and painted signalized crosswalks.[54][55]
Opening and impact
editIn June 2022, TriMet announced service level reductions for 10 bus routes, including the future FX2–Division route, due to a lack of operators. The operator shortage was the largest in the agency's history,[56] and it was attributed to competition from other transit and delivery services and safety concerns amid an increase in assaults on drivers.[57] In its application for FTA funding, TriMet had promised service frequencies on FX2–Division as often as six minutes;[35]: 1 as a result of the driver shortage, service was reduced to every 12 minutes.[58][59]
TriMet held a grand opening celebration for FX on September 17, 2022. Festival venues included OMSI/Southeast Water station, Portland Community College Southeast campus, and Gresham Central Transit Center. FX rides between the sites were free,[60] and the Portland Streetcar also offered free rides to encourage people to transfer to FX and attend the festivities.[61] FX2–Division began revenue service the following day, on September 18.[4]
Several weeks after opening, the Willamette Week published an article that compared the travel times of FX2–Division with the former 2–Division route. TriMet had estimated that service would be 15 to 20 percent faster than the original route, which took 66 minutes to travel from Gresham to downtown Portland; the article claimed that FX took 67 minutes at peak commute hours for the same trip.[62]
Future plans
editFX routes are planned for 82nd Avenue in Portland and the Tualatin Valley Highway (Oregon Route 8) between Beaverton and Forest Grove. In January 2023, Metro ranked both corridors as "Tier 1" investment priorities, identifying them as "corridors that are ready and where new high capacity transit connections are currently planned for the near-term".[63]
82nd Avenue
edit82nd Avenue is planned to be TriMet's second FX route. The route would run the length of 82nd Avenue from Clackamas Town Center north to a terminus north of Sandy Boulevard,[64] somewhere in the Roseway and Sumner areas of Northeast Portland.[65] Metro established a steering committee for the 82nd Avenue transit project in June 2022.[66] Construction is projected to begin in 2026, and the line is expected to open in 2029.[67]
Route and stations
editFX2–Division begins at the northern end of the Portland Transit Mall on Irving Street and 5th Avenue near Union Station in downtown Portland, with 5th and Hoyt station as its western terminus.[68] Within the transit mall, buses travel in a one-way pair: Portland-bound on 6th Avenue and Gresham-bound on 5th Avenue, except on a segment between Lincoln and Hall streets where Portland-bound buses run along 4th Avenue. From Lincoln Street, the route follows the shared Portland–Milwaukie light rail alignment eastward through Harbor Viaduct and Tilikum Crossing. It diverges from this shared alignment on 7th Avenue and circles a block before entering Division Street on 8th Avenue.[69] The route stays along Division Street through Southeast Portland and Gresham until Roberts Avenue,[70][71] where it turns for 8th Street and terminates at the Cleveland Avenue station park and ride. Portland-bound buses in central Gresham turn from 8th Street back to Division Street via Kelley Avenue.[72]
FX2–Division serves 42 stations within the cities of Portland and Gresham, primarily along Division Street.[73] They are spaced an average 1⁄3 mile (0.54 km) apart, and their locations were selected based on demand, safety, connections to other transit routes, and key destinations.[59] Stops east of Division Street and 11th Avenue were built as part of the Division Transit Project; four station types were designed to accommodate right-of-way restrictions,[74] with stations along the outer parts of the route (east of 82nd Avenue) built larger with more amenities.[3] Station areas vary in length, from 48 to 56 feet (14.6 to 17.1 m),[74] and typically consist of a shelter, station marker, trashcan, and utility cabinet.[75] Shelters also vary in length, from 8 to 20 feet (2.4 to 6.1 m), and are glass-covered.[76] Platforms are long enough to accommodate simultaneous boarding of the three-door buses,[73] and larger stations are wider to incorporate bicycle lanes.[77][78]
Station[68] | Location | Connections and notes[79][80] | |
---|---|---|---|
Eastbound | Westbound | ||
NW 5th & Hoyt | — | Portland Transit Mall |
Connects to Amtrak, MAX (Green, Orange, Yellow) |
NW 5th & Davis | NW 6th & Flanders | Connects to MAX (Green, Orange, Yellow) | |
SW 5th & Washington | SW 6th & Harvey Milk | Connects to MAX (Green, Orange, Yellow) | |
SW 5th & Salmon | SW 6th & Taylor | Connects to MAX (Blue, Green, Orange, Red, Yellow) | |
SW 5th & Columbia | SW 6th & Columbia | Connects to MAX (Green, Orange, Yellow) | |
SW 5th & Hall | SW Hall & 5th | Connects to MAX (Green, Orange, Yellow), Portland Streetcar (A/B, NS) | |
SW Lincoln & 1st | Southwest Portland |
Connects to MAX (Orange) | |
South Waterfront/S Moody | South Portland |
Connects to MAX (Orange), Portland Streetcar (A/B, NS) | |
OMSI/SE Water | Southeast Portland |
Connects to MAX (Orange), Portland Streetcar (A/B) | |
SE 11th/12th Ave | — | ||
SE 20th Ave | — | ||
SE 26th Ave | — | ||
SE 30th Ave | — | ||
SE 34th Ave | — | ||
SE Cesar Chavez Blvd | — | ||
SE 43rd Ave | — | ||
SE 51st Ave | — | ||
SE 59th/60th Ave | — | ||
SE 67th/68th Ave | — | ||
SE 75th/76th Ave | — | ||
SE 82nd Ave | — | ||
SE 85th/87th Ave | — | ||
SE Division St MAX Station | Connects to MAX (Green) | ||
SE 101st Ave | — | ||
11100 Block/SE 113th Ave | — | ||
SE 116th Ave | — | ||
SE 122nd Ave | — | ||
SE 130th Ave | — | ||
SE 135th/136th Ave | — | ||
SE 142nd Ave/14200 Block | — | ||
SE 148th Ave | — | ||
SE 157th Ave | — | ||
SE 162nd Ave | — | ||
SE 168th Ave | — | ||
SE 174th Ave | — | ||
18000/18200 Block | Gresham | — | |
NW Eastwood Ave | — | ||
NW Angeline St | — | ||
NW Civic Dr/Overlook Ave | — | ||
NW Eastman Pkwy/Gresham City Hall Park & Ride | Connects to MAX (Blue) | ||
Gresham Central Transit Center | Connects to MAX (Blue), Sandy Area Metro | ||
Cleveland Ave Park & Ride | Connects to MAX (Blue) |
Design
editFX features BRT design elements such as dedicated bus lanes, transit signal priority, and 60-foot (18 m) buses with all-door boarding.[81] It is the second such service in the Portland metropolitan area after The Vine in Vancouver, Washington.[14]
Dedicated lanes and transit signal priority
editSegments of the FX2–Division route use transit-only lanes, particularly west of 11th Avenue. Along the Portland Transit Mall in downtown Portland, FX buses travel in lanes dedicated to transit buses and light rail vehicles, separated from private vehicle traffic.[82][83] FX2–Division travels the remainder of its route through Division Street in mixed traffic, but it uses transit signal priority to move quickly. TriMet contracted LYT, a firm based in Santa Clara, California that develops solutions for public transit,[84] to implement transit signal priority for the Division Transit Project.[85][86] LYT's cloud-based solution, called "LYT.transit",[87] was installed inside FX buses and at 58 signalized intersections along Division Street. The technology allows each bus to send its speed and location to a cloud server, which then relays the information to the traffic signals; it uses artificial intelligence to track all buses in real-time and adapt the phasing of traffic lights to keep buses moving.[84][88]
Fleet
editFX operates a fleet of 31 60-foot (18.3 m) articulated buses;[50][89] they were manufactured by Nova Bus in Plattsburgh, New York. Each bus can carry up to 115 passengers, 60% more than TriMet's standard 40-foot (12.2 m) bus,[90] and features all-door, right-side boarding via three doors.[91] Up to two bicycles can be stored inside the bus using roll-in racks located near the rear.[92]
On November 2, 2022, TriMet announced that it would replace the articulated Nova Bus fleet with standard 40-foot (12 m) buses following the discovery of mechanical issues. A driver comment about noises while steering prompted an inspection of buses that found loose or missing fasteners.[93] A recall was issued by Nova Bus on November 15 that affected the FX fleet, and the buses were removed from service for repairs and testing.[94][95] The articulated buses were redeployed on January 29, 2023.[96]
-
Rear seats of an FX bus
-
Interior of an FX bus, with Hop Fastpass card reader visible by middle door of vehicle
-
Bicycle racks inside an FX bus
Service and ridership
editFX2–Division operates daily with service from 4:04 am to 2:35 am the following day on weekdays, and 4:26 am to 1:39 am on Saturdays and Sundays. Buses run with a headway of 12 minutes during most of the day; they run more frequently during weekday rush hours and less frequently during the early mornings and late evenings.[56][97] Fares are collected using the Hop Fastpass payment system. Card readers located on board next to each of the bus's three doors. Riders paying with cash must board at the front door, where there is a farebox and a ticket printer.[98]
In Fall 2022, TriMet recorded 5,860 rides during weekdays at a cost per ride of $6.93.[99] The agency had recorded 4,470 weekday rides on the former 2–Division line in Spring 2022, an increase of 23.7 percent.[100] However, ridership remains below pre-pandemic levels with 9,140 weekday rides recorded on the predecessor in Fall 2019.[101]
Note
edit- ^ "High capacity transit" (HCT) is defined by the Portland metropolitan area's regional government, Metro, as "public transit that has an exclusive right of way, a non-exclusive right of way or a combination of both" where "vehicles make fewer stops, travel at higher speeds, have more frequent service and carry more people than local service transit such as typical bus lines".[5]
References
edit- ^ "Introducing Frequent Express". TriMet. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
- ^ "Route Ridership Report Spring 2024" (PDF). trimet.org. June 27, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Division Transit Project (2020)" (PDF). TriMet. January 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ a b York, Tia (August 18, 2022). "TriMet checks off Frequent Express "to do" list with one month until new service starts" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ "Regional Transit Strategy: High Capacity Transit". Metro. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Regional High Capacity Transit System Plan 2035 Summary report" (PDF). Metro. September 15, 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 29, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- ^ "High Capacity Transit System Expansion Policy Implementation Guidance for the Portland metropolitan region: A guidebook for local implementation" (PDF). Metro. July 2011. p. 18. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 7, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
- ^ "The Regional High Capacity Transit Plan (Fall 2009)" (PDF). Metro. September 1, 2009. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ Powell–Division Transit and Development Project—Transit Alternatives Screening Report (PDF) (Report). Metro. September 29, 2014. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
- ^ Manning, Rob (January 25, 2013). "Light Rail On Wheels? Portland Ponders Bus Rapid Transit". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on July 14, 2017. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ "Powell–Division Transit and Development Project Steering Committee Meeting, March 17, 2014" (PDF). Metro. March 17, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ a b "Resolution 16-12-70 of the Tri-County Metropolitan District of Oregon (TriMet) recommending confirmation of the Locally Preferred Alternative for the Powell–Division Transit and Development Project" (PDF). TriMet. December 14, 2016. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ a b Christensen, Nick (September 30, 2014). "Steering committee drops rail, sets course for Powell-Division study's future". Metro. Archived from the original on April 11, 2017. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Njus, Elliot (December 4, 2015). "Portland's next ride: super-sized buses that act like light rail". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ "Division Transit Project Top Five Frequently Asked Questions" (PDF). TriMet. August 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ "Powell–Division Transit and Development Project Steering Committee Meeting, September 29, 2014" (PDF). Metro. September 29, 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 18, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
- ^ Njus, Elliot (March 23, 2016). "Metro, TriMet bus rapid transit goes back to the drawing board". The Oregonian. p. A6.
- ^ a b c "Powell–Division Transit and Development Project Steering Committee meetings, September 26, 2016 │ October 3, 2016" (PDF). Metro. October 3, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
- ^ Beebe, Craig (January 4, 2017). "By the numbers: 11 figures that tell the Powell-Division project story" (Press release). Metro. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ Triana, Guadalupe (November 10, 2016). "Division Street rapid bus transit project passes key milestone with committee vote" (Press release). Metro. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- ^ a b "Community Advisory Committee Meeting, June 15, 2017" (PDF). TriMet. June 15, 2017. p. 11. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 2, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ Beebe, Craig (September 13, 2016). "If Division Street bus rapid transit ends at Gresham Transit Center, could other bus options serve a key destination?" (Press release). Metro. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
- ^ Redden, Jim (February 18, 2022). "TriMet: First Division Transit Project stations open Saturday". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ^ "Division Transit Project (2016)" (PDF). TriMet. December 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 13, 2017. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "WSP USA Designing BRT System in Portland, Oregon" (Press release). WSP USA. July 7, 2017. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ "WSP to design Portland Division Transit". Railway Gazette International. July 10, 2017. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
- ^ York, Tia (August 22, 2018). "When it comes to improving TriMet bus service, two lines are better than one" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ "2–Division". TriMet. Archived from the original on September 1, 2022. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
- ^ Lum, Brian (October 25, 2018). "This Bus Platform Has Room for Bikes, Pedestrians and More". TriMet. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Theen, Andrew (October 18, 2018). "TriMet tests Division plan to keep buses, cyclists from colliding". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ "Resolution No. 19-09-78 of the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) authorizing a contract with Nova Bus, a division of Prevost Car (US), Inc. (Nova) for the purchase of sixty-foot diesel and diesel-hybrid transit buses for the Division Transit Project (DTP) and future service expansion" (PDF). TriMet. September 18, 2019. pp. 1–3. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 19, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ Theen, Andrew (September 18, 2019). "TriMet's Division bus project will be first powered by diesel, despite long-range plan to ditch that fuel". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
- ^ Sparling, Zane (April 9, 2019). "Feds pony up $90M for Division Street rapid bus route". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Diehl, Caleb (December 8, 2017). "The Bus is Back: Division Project Redefines Bus Rapid Transit". Oregon Business. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ a b "Division Transit Project Portland, Oregon Small Starts Project Development (Rating Assigned November 2017)" (PDF). Federal Transit Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2022.
- ^ Redden, Jim (August 16, 2018). "Council approves $17.7 million for Division Transit Project". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved March 20, 2019.
- ^ Andersen, Derek (October 14, 2018). "Contractor Selected for Division Transit Project". Mid-County Memo. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Theen, Andrew (April 9, 2019). "TriMet gets $87.4 million federal blessing for Division Street transit project". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ a b Theen, Andrew (January 23, 2020). "TriMet celebrates $175 million Division bus project's beginning; leaders pledge 'it will pay off'". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
- ^ Deutsch, Marilyn (January 23, 2020). "Federal Transit Administration announces $87.4 million grant for Division Transit Project". KPTV. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Altstadt, Roberta (January 23, 2020). "VIDEO: FTA officially awards TriMet $87.4 million, puts the Division Transit Project on the road to high-capacity bus service" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ a b York, Tia (August 25, 2022). "TriMet's Division Transit Project sets record for participation by minority and women-owned businesses" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "Community Advisory Meeting, November 21, 2019" (PDF). TriMet. November 21, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ McGinness, Chris (June 5, 2020). "Division Transit Project kicks into high gear". KGW. Archived from the original on February 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ York, Tia (October 28, 2020). "Division Transit Project Construction Rolls Ahead" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ York, Tia (January 4, 2021). "(VIDEO) Construction accomplishments in 2020 keep TriMet's Division Transit Project right on track" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Redden, Jim (January 5, 2021). "TriMet: First bus rapid transit project moving forward". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
- ^ York, Tia. "TriMet riders to start using new type of station built for Division Transit Project" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on March 25, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Gordon, Tim (April 4, 2021). "Two new bike-friendly bus stops are the first of many to come on Division Street". KGW. Archived from the original on April 5, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ a b "TriMet unveils new look coming with better bus service in the Division Street corridor" (Press release). TriMet. June 25, 2021. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
- ^ York, Tia (October 15, 2021). "(VIDEO) TriMet's proposed service improvements help make way for FX-Division, a new and better bus service, arriving in 2022" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
- ^ Steele, Tim (April 4, 2022). "FX bus line to make Portland-to-Gresham faster". KOIN. Archived from the original on April 4, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Operator training for TriMet's big, green buses begins April 4". Mass Transit. April 4, 2022. Archived from the original on April 5, 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
- ^ "Division Transit Project Safety Improvements". Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ "Outer Division Safety Project (SE 80th to 174th avenues)". City of Portland. Archived from the original on February 4, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ a b Graf, Tyler (June 22, 2022). "TriMet to temporarily reduce service levels this fall due to historic operator shortage" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ Ramakrishnan, Jayati (May 12, 2022). "TriMet apologizes for canceled MAX and bus trips amid renewed calls for new drivers". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ Ramakrishnan, Jayati (June 22, 2022). "TriMet to cut service on 10 routes, including new rapid transit bus line". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Garcia, Isabella (August 29, 2022). "TriMet Unveils a New Frequent Bus Line Following Historic Service Cuts". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ "FX2-Division Grand Opening Celebration". TriMet. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2022.
- ^ @PDXStreetcar (September 17, 2022). "We're giving free rides all day today to celebrate the grand opening of @trimet's FX2-Division! Transfer to that line and check out a festival from our stop at OMSI" (Tweet). Retrieved September 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Manfield, Lucas (September 28, 2022). "Portland's New Bus Rapid Transit Line Is Many Things. But Is It Faster?". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
- ^ "High capacity transit vision & corridor investment priorities" (PDF). Metro. January 9, 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 10, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Improving transit on 82nd Avenue (82nd Avenue transit project overview and update – spring 2023)" (PDF). Metro. May 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "82nd Avenue transit project (Overview)". Metro. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
Planning is underway to improve safe access and transit travel time while connecting people to essential jobs, education facilities, shopping and community services from Clackamas Town Center to the Roseway/Sumner area in Northeast Portland.
- ^ "82nd Avenue Transit Project Steering Committee meeting (September 2022)". Metro. September 22, 2022. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "82nd Avenue transit project (Background)". Metro. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ a b FX2-Division route (Map). TriMet. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ "Segment 1: Downtown" (PDF). TriMet. November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ "Segment 2: West" (PDF). TriMet. November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Segment 3: Central" (PDF). TriMet. November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Segment 4: East" (PDF). TriMet. November 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Open House Fall 2019". TriMet. 2019. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ a b "Station Designs". TriMet. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Pedestrian Bypass Station" (PDF). TriMet. November 14, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Shelter" (PDF). TriMet. November 14, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Shared Bicycle and Pedestrian Station" (PDF). TriMet. November 14, 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ "Island Station" (PDF). TriMet. November 14, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
- ^ TriMet System (Map). TriMet. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ^ Portland City Center and Transit Mall (Map). TriMet. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 18, 2022. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
- ^ York, Tia. "Bus rapid transit projects included in Metro's proposed Measure 26-218" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
- ^ Rose, Joseph (January 23, 2009). "Weave through TriMet's work in downtown Portland". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ Rose, Joseph (May 14, 2009). "Stay left: Police patrols on Portland transit mall next week". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
- ^ a b Rogers, Jules (September 2, 2022). "Lyt tech provides signal upgrades for TriMet FX project". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ "Resolution No. 21-06-36 of the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) authorizing a contract with LYT for Next Generation Transit Signal Priority (TSP) Implementation Services" (PDF). TriMet. June 23, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 15, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ Graf, Tyler (July 15, 2022). "(VIDEO) Green lights ahead for TriMet's Division Transit Project, with new advances to speed up buses" (Press release). TriMet. Archived from the original on July 18, 2022. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
- ^ "TriMet Deploys LYT Intelligent Transit Signal Priority Software in Portland Area for Improved Bus and Traffic Flow" (Press release). LYT. July 20, 2022. Archived from the original on July 24, 2022. Retrieved August 20, 2022.
- ^ "Transit signal priority 101: Technology keeps buses out of traffic". September 8, 2022. Archived from the original on September 8, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022.
- ^ Gordon, Tim (September 3, 2022). "TriMet gets ready to launch FX2-Division bus line, running between downtown Portland and Gresham". KGW. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "The return of the bendy bus". TriMet. August 26, 2022. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ "Introducing Frequent Express – The bus and station". TriMet. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ How to load your bike on an FX bus. TriMet. August 8, 2022. Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved September 7, 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ De Dios, Austin (November 6, 2022). "TriMet pulls FX2 rapid buses off the street in 'abundance of caution'". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ Redden, Jim (November 21, 2022). "All new TriMet 'green buses' recalled for safety reasons". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ "TriMet FX articulated buses update". TriMet. November 18, 2022. Archived from the original on November 23, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
- ^ De Dios, Austin (January 29, 2023). "TriMet FX2 rapid buses return to Division route". The Oregonian. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ FX2–Division schedules:
- For weekday, to Portland City Center: "FX2–Division, Weekday To Portland City Center" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- For weekday, to Gresham: "FX2–Division, Weekday To Gresham" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- For Saturday, to Portland City Center: "FX2–Division, Saturday To Portland City Center" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- For Saturday, to Gresham: "FX2–Division, Saturday To Gresham" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- For Sunday, to Portland City Center: "FX2–Division, Sunday To Portland City Center" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- For Sunday, to Gresham: "FX2–Division, Sunday To Gresham" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ Boarding and paying your fare on FX. TriMet. August 8, 2022. Archived from the original on August 30, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Route Ridership Report Weekdays Fall 2022" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 21, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ "Route Ridership Report Weekdays Spring 2022" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
- ^ "Route Ridership Report Weekdays Fall 2019" (PDF). TriMet. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
External links
edit- Media related to TriMet FX at Wikimedia Commons
- "Division Transit Project". TriMet.
- "Introducing Frequent Express". TriMet.
- "FX2–Division". TriMet.