Continue its ongoing facility improvement project which includes catching up deferred maintenance to both the administration and vehicle maintenance buildings as well as much-needed improvements to…

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded the City of Fresno, operating as Fresno Area Express (FAX), $1.58 million under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526) on August 28, 2025. This formula grant will support a comprehensive facility improvement project addressing long-deferred maintenance across FAX's operations and maintenance infrastructure, with completion targeted for January 31, 2027. The funded activities include critical repairs to the administration and vehicle maintenance buildings, upgrades to the bus wash and vault facility, and modernization of mechanical systems and utilities to meet current industry standards.

Beyond deferred maintenance, the grant will finance operational efficiency enhancements within the FAX yard to optimize vehicle movement and workflow, alongside sustainability and resilience upgrades incorporating energy-efficient systems where feasible. These improvements are designed to enhance facility safety, reliability, and functionality while reducing operating costs and strengthening FAX's capacity for future service expansion. The project directly supports FAX's mission to deliver reliable public transit services to the Fresno metropolitan area by establishing a modernized and compliant facility infrastructure foundation.

Activities

Award funds will be used to support a comprehensive set of activities aimed at revitalizing and modernizing faxs aging operations and maintenance facilities. Key activities include:deferred maintenance and repairs: addressing critical maintenance needs that have been postponed due to funding constraints ensuring the facilities are safe functional and compliant with current standards.facility modernization: upgrading infrastructure to meet current industry benchmarks including improvements to mechanical systems utilities and workspaces to enhance safety and efficiency.operational efficiency enhancements: implementing improvements within the FAX yard to streamline vehicle movement reduce congestion and optimize workflow contributing to lower operating costs.sustainability and resilience upgrades: where feasible integrating energy-efficient systems and materials to support long-term sustainability and reduce environmental impact. These activities will collectively improve the reliability efficiency and cost-effectiveness of faxs transit operations while laying the groundwork for future service enhancements.

Expected outcomes

The awarded funds will enable FAX to address long-deferred maintenance and implement critical facility upgrades resulting in a range of impactful outcomes. These include improved operational efficiency through streamlined yard operations reduced vehicle downtime and enhanced workflow. Modernized infrastructure will ensure compliance with current safety and industry regulations while also supporting long-term sustainability goals. Additionally the improvements are expected to lower operating costs extend the useful life of key assets and create a more resilient and reliable transit system that better serves the community.

Intended beneficiaries

The planned facility improvements will directly benefit FAX employees by creating a safer more efficient and modern working environment that supports streamlined operations and reduces maintenance-related disruptions. These enhancements will also indirectly benefit commuters and the broader community by improving the reliability and timeliness of transit services. Increased operational efficiency will enable FAX to allocate resources more effectively potentially expanding service capacity and enhancing the overall rider experience. As a result both internal staff and the public will experience tangible improvements in service quality and system performance.

Subrecipient activities

N/a - the city of fresno/DBA fresno area express (FAX) does not intent to subaward funds from this award.