FX2-Division - Huh? What The Heck Is The FX?

FX2-Division - Huh? What The Heck Is The FX?

A lot of you who have been following my blog since it's very beginning know that I haven't yet posted an information post on a bus line yet... so here is the first one! Today we'll be talking about the FX2-Division, a bus line that is even more frequent than your average frequent service bus line, as it runs every 12 minutes. One thing that I wondered when I first saw it was: "Why is it FX2, even though there is no FX1?" The answer to that is that the 2 in FX2 is labeling the over all bus line, not the FX bus line, there is only one FX bus line. The FX2 replaced the 2-Division bus line when the line became so popular that it needed more frequent service and more room on the bus, which is my second topic. The FX2 has a special green bus that has room for 60% more riders, and has 3 doors each with a hop reader, so that you can get on quick and pay quick. A picture is included to show what the FX looks like. Another is included that shows what the sign and station looks like.

Today, like my most recent streetcar post, I'll be giving everyone some basic information on riding and making sense of the system. Here goes!

Riding Information

To ride, first you'll need to make sure you have a valid fare, as TriMet is not free. If you do not have a hop card, which you can tap in the bus when it gets there, to purchase your ticket, you will need to either go to the nearest MAX or WES station and purchase your ticket there, or more simply, you can purchase a ticket in the bus. If you are going to take that route, make sure you board at the front door where the driver is so that they can give you your ticket. After you have tapped your ticket in the bus, you can take a seat until the bus arrives at your stop. The driver doesn't stop at every stop, though, so when the next stop is yours, press the stop request button. If you brought any personal belongings, don't leave them! Take them off of the bus with you.

Making Sense Of The FX2-Division System

The FX2-Division system is pretty typical, you get where you need to get on, you get off where you need to get off. One tricky thing about the system is that in downtown, the line splits up onto two streets, 5th and 6th avenue, and loops around into the other direction. This behavior is similar to the MAX in downtown, so if you are ever confused, refer to that knowledge.

Thank you for reading today's blog post! I'll be back soon with more TriMet Insider.

Photo Credits:

FX Stop: Landscape Forms

FX Bus: Wikipedia