GENERAL FAX FACTS & RIDER CONDUCT STANDARDS

Fresno Area Express (FAX) strives to provide transit service that is safe, reliable, clean, and efficient. To ride FAX, passengers must follow a few basic steps and simple conduct rules to assure the service remains available to all. The FAX Bus Riding Basics, Lost and Found Procedures, Carts and Cargo Policies, and Conduct and Safety Rules are detailed below and presented in a single document here.

FAX Bus Riding Basics

New to riding FAX? Here are some basic steps to get started.

• To plan your trip, review the service map and Schedule Guide in English and Spanish at https://www.fresno.gov/transportation/fax/ .
• Arrive at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early.
• Stand at the bus stop, if physically able, and be ready to board when the bus arrives.
• Have exact fare or pass (with identification if required) ready. Attempting to evade fare payment (PC 640(c)(1)), or intentionally misusing transit passes (PC 640(c)(2)), or tickets (PC 640(c)(3)(a)) are not allowed.
  • Fare boxes accept coins and dollar bills but do not make change.
• Board the bus through the front doors.
• Keep front seats available for senior citizens and persons with disabilities or be prepared to move from a front seat to allow a senior citizen or person with a disability to sit there.
• As your stop approaches, pull the signal cord located along the inside windows this signals the driver to stop at the next bus stop. Be sure to pull the signal cord in sufficient time to allow the driver to stop safely.
• Exit through the rear door unless you have a bike on the bike rack.
• If you have a bike on the bike rack, please inform the driver that you will be removing it.
• Allow small children to exit first.

Lost and Found Procedures

Lost an article on a FAX bus or forgot your bike on the bike rack? Check out our Lost and Found office!

• The Lost and Found office is open Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Call 559-621-RIDE (7433) to see if your item has been turned in.
• You will need to provide a detailed description of the item that was lost, when it was lost, the bus route number, direction you were traveling, and time you boarded the bus.
• If your item is located, staff will provide pickup instructions.

Carts and Cargo Policies

Have a wheeled cart, stroller, or bags of cargo? Here’s how they may safely be brought aboard a FAX bus.

• FAX bus drivers and supervisors will determine if a cart, stroller, or other items are too big or dangerous to be transported safely on the bus.
• Overly bulky carts and cargo that is wet, leaking, or hazardous will not be allowed on the bus under any circumstances.
• Passengers are limited to what they can carry on a single trip without assistance from other people. Loads that require multiple trips or multiple people (loading or management) are prohibited.
• Passengers must stay with their carts, strollers, or cargo during the entire trip and hold onto their belongings firmly.
• Children must be removed from strollers and placed in a bus seat or held in a caretaker’s lap.
• Carriages, strollers, and empty carts should be folded prior to boarding. Items that cannot be folded prior to boarding (walkers, rollators, carts with packages), must be placed on the bus so they do not impede movement of passengers or the driver. Do not block the aisle, doors, step wells, or emergency exits. The wheel-well may not be used for storage.

It is unlawful for any person to possess any of the following items on a bus, or at a transit facility / stop:

Have a wheeled cart, stroller, or bags of cargo? Here’s how they may safely be brought aboard a FAX bus.

• Any firearm.
• Any imitation firearm as defined in Penal Code (PC) Section 417.4.
• Any instrument that expels a metallic projectile, such as a BB or pellet, through the force of air pressure, CO2 pressure, or spring action, or any spot marker gun or paint gun.
• Any metal military practice, (metal or plastic) replica hand grenade.
• Any unauthorized tear gas weapon.
• Any undetectable knife, as described in PC Section 17290.

Violators will be prosecuted to the maximum penalty allowed by law pursuant to PC 171.7(b).

Rider Conduct and Safety Rules

Includes local, state, and federal ordinances, rules, and regulations.

Do your part to keep the FAX system clean, safe, and running smoothly for all passengers by following these Conduct and Safety rules. These rules apply to anyone riding, exiting, or entering a FAX bus, waiting at a FAX bus stop, or visiting a FAX facility. Anyone violating these rules may be removed from the bus or prevented from boarding. Repeated or egregious violations can result in loss of transit privileges.

• Shoes and shirts are required (FMC 5-305(i)).
• Service animals are allowed to accompany persons with disabilities; however, the animal must be under the control of its owner (FMC 5-305(b)).
• No smoking or vaping (PC 640(b)(3); FMC 5-305(a)).
• No eating or drinking (PC 640(b)(1); BP 25620(a); FMC 9-2503(a)).
• Be courteous, and refrain from unruly behavior, unreasonable noise, and using offensive language (PC 415(2); 415(3); 640(d)(1)).
• No loitering on buses, at bus stops, or in bus facilities (FMC 5-308(b)).
• Dispose of all garbage in designated garbage receptacles (FMC 5-305(f)).
• All electronic devices must be used with earphones (PC 640(b)(2); FMC 5-305(c)).
• Do not block the movement of another passenger or bus driver. (PC 640(d)(4))
• Do not remove, deface, destroy, or otherwise tamper with any part of the FAX bus, facility, or bus stop (PC 640(d)(5); FMC 5-308(a) and (f)).
• No skateboarding, roller skating, bicycle riding, roller blading, or operating a motorized scooter or similar device (PC 640(b)(5)).
• No campaigning (FMC 5-306(c)), advertising (FMC 5-306(b)), soliciting, or selling of any kind (PC 640(b)(6); FMC 5-306(a)).
• No gambling (FMC 5-305(e)).
• No filming or picture-taking (FMC 5-306(d)).
• No weapons or explosive, corrosive, or flammable materials allowed (PC 640(d)(2); FMC 5-305(h)).
• No spitting (PC 640(b)(4); FMC 5-305(g)), urinating, or defecating (PC 640(d)(3); FMC 5-305(d)).
• No hitting, kicking, grabbing, or otherwise assaulting another passenger or bus driver (PC 243.3).

A person who violates the Code is subject to a citation and imposition of any and all remedies, fines, criminal sanctions, damages, and penalties available by law.

Citations of Violations are handled by the
Fresno County Court located on 1100 Van Ness
Fresno, California 93724.
559 457-1802
www.fresnocourts.ca.gov

If you fail to appear in court, you may be arrested and punished by 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine regardless of the disposition of the original charge (Vehicle code 40508 or Penal Code 853.7). In addition, any person who fails to appear as provided by law may be deemed to have elected to have a trial by written declaration (in absentia) pursuant to Vehicle Code section
40903(a) upon any alleged infraction, as charged by the arresting/citing officer. FINAL 2/2024