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DASH (bus)

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For the Downtown Area Short Hop (DASH) bus service in Los Angeles, see Los Angeles Department of Transportation § DASH. For the Downtown Area Shuttle (DASH) bus service in Hartford, see Hartford, Connecticut § Transportation. For the Davidson Avenue Shuttle (DASH) bus service in New Jersey, see Somerset County, New Jersey § Transportation.
DASH
A 2021 New Flyer Xcelsior XE60 DASH bus at Van Dorn St Metro Station.
ParentCity of Alexandria
FoundedMarch 1984[1]
Headquarters3000 Business Center Drive, Alexandria, VA
Service areaAlexandria, Virginia
Service typeBus service
AllianceWMATA
Routes10 and the King Street Trolley[2]
Fleet
Daily ridership14,900 (Q1 2023)[5]
Annual ridership4,209,500 (2015)[6]
Fuel typeDiesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid, Battery electric
OperatorAlexandria Transit Company
Websitedashbus.com
Old DASH sign on a lamppost on Duke St.

DASH is the public bus system for the city of Alexandria, Virginia. DASH provides bus service within the City of Alexandria, and connects with Metrobus, Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express, Amtrak and other local bus systems. DASH operates 124 buses on eleven routes[7] carrying over five million passengers annually.[8] DASH operates transit services within portions of the City of Alexandria and between the City and the Pentagon Transit Station. DASH serves all of the Alexandria Metrorail Stations and the Pentagon Metrorail station.

DASH is operated by the Alexandria Transit Company (ATC), a non-profit service corporation wholly owned by the City of Alexandria. ATC is governed by an eleven person board of directors elected by the city council.[9] ATC's was formed to supplement the regional rail and bus service provided by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and to provide a local bus service to the City of Alexandria.

History

[edit]

In 1981, in anticipation of the opening of the Metrorail stations and the subsequent reordering of Metrobus service, the City Council authorized a feasibility study for a city-sponsored bus system. In 1982, the study recommended a five-route system, using 18 buses.

In 1983, the City Council developed an RFP (Request For Proposal) for management companies to develop a detailed plan for the operation of transit service in the City of Alexandria. The city chose to establish a non-profit public service cooperation that would be wholly owned by the City. This arrangement provided means by which:

  • The transit system could be run as a business-type enterprise, and
  • City Council could retain overall policy control yet be free from the day-to-day operation of a transit system.

On October 23, 1983, the City Council set up a Transitional Task Force and, on January 24, 1984, instructed the City Attorney to proceed with the incorporation of a non-profit company. The certificate of incorporation was issued by the State Corporation Commission on January 31, and the organizational meeting of the company was held on February 6.

In January 1984, the General Manager employed by the Management Company that was awarded the management contract reported for duty and final preparations began for the opening of revenue service on March 11.

On October 19, 2020, DASH unveiled its first all-electric transit bus at the City Hall of Alexandria.[10]

In September 2021, the entire network was restructured as part of the Alexandra Transit Vision Plan to create a more useful and equitable bus network that encourages more people to get to more places using transit. All Routes were renumbered in either the 30s or 100s eliminating the AT designations.[11]

Ridership

[edit]

DASH carries over 12,000 passengers per weekday[12] within the City of Alexandria, Virginia. The AT8 route, which runs through the Duke Street corridor, is DASH's busiest route with about 3,000 rides per weekday. In 2011, DASH ordered three new 40' Gillig Low Floor diesel-electric hybrid buses, which are 5' longer than the rest of the DASH fleet.[13] These buses went into service in April 2012. Five additional 40' Gillig Low Floor diesel-electric hybrid buses went into service in March 2013. The new 40' buses are used on the AT8 route to reduce crowding. On July 28, 2014, DASH introduced the new AT9 Crosstown Route.[14] The AT9 provides crosstown connections between Mark Center, Southern Towers, Northern Virginia Community College, Bradlee Shopping Center, Shirlington Transit Center in Arlington, Parkfairfax, Arlandria and Potomac Yard.

Fares

[edit]

As of September 5, 2021, DASH is fare free.[15] Before the free fares, DASH's base fare was $2.00 for riders paying cash or SmarTrip.[16][17] In 2007, DASH converted its buses to allow the use of the WMATA SmarTrip, an electronic debit farecard. DASH continued to accept and issue paper transfers until they were eliminated altogether January 1, 2013.[18]

Fleet

[edit]
Photo Builder and
model name 		Model year Length Numbers
(Total) 		Vehicles in service Fuel type Notes
Gillig
Phantom 35' 		2007 35 ft (10.67 m)[19] 101–102
(2 buses) 		2 Diesel
  • Ex-PRTC OmniRide, acquired in 2019.
  • These buses have suburban configuration and single doors.
  • Originally numbered 701-702; renumbered in early 2020 due to a numbering conflict with new buses.
  • Occasionally used as backup buses.[19]
Motor Coach Industries
D4500 		2002 40 ft (12.19 m) 103–105
(3 buses) 		3
  • Ex-PRTC OmniRide, acquired in 2019.
  • Originally numbered 703-705; renumbered in early 2020 due to a numbering conflict with new buses.
  • Occasionally used as charter bus service, sometimes as backup buses.
Gillig
Low Floor 35' 		2011 35 ft (10.67 m) 200–206
(7 buses) 		7 Diesel hybrid
  • First low floor buses for DASH.[13]
2012 207–211
(5 buses) 		3
retiring
2014 212–216
(5 buses) 		5
2015 217–229
(13 buses) 		13
  • 225-229 are wrapped in West End livery in early 2020.[20][21]
2017 230–233
(4 buses) 		4
  • 230-232 are wrapped in West End livery in early 2020.[20][21]
2018 501–514
(14 buses) 		14 Diesel
Gillig
Low Floor 40' 		2011 40 ft (12.19 m) 300–302
(3 buses) 		3 Diesel hybrid
  • First low floor buses for DASH.[13]
2012 303–307
(5 buses) 		4
2014 308–309
(2 buses) 		2
2017 310–311
(2 buses) 		2
  • These buses are wrapped in West End livery in early 2020.[20][21]
Gillig
Low Floor Trolley 29'^ 		2011 29 ft (8.839 m) 400–404
(5 trolley buses) 		5
  • First low floor trolley buses for DASH.[13]
Gillig
Low Floor Trolley 35'^ 		2015 35 ft (10.67 m) 405
(1 trolley bus) 		1
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD35 		2019 515–527
(13 buses) 		13 Diesel
2020 528–530
(3 buses) 		3
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40 		40 ft (12.19 m) 701–705
(5 buses) 		5
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE XE40 		801–803
(3 buses)[22] 		3 Battery electric
  • First all-electric transit buses for DASH.[23]
New Flyer
Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE60
articulated 		2021 60 ft (18 m) 901–904
(4 buses) 		4
Proterra
ZX5+ 		40 ft (12.19 m) 804–810
(7 buses)[22] 		7
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40 		2023 706–715
(10 buses)[19] 		9 Diesel
  • To replace some of the 2011-2012 Gillig Low Floor buses.
  • 715 entered special service for DASH's 40th Anniversary, and has not entered revenue service at that time.

^operates under the King Street Trolley branding

On order

[edit]
Builder and model name Length Year Fleet number Fuel type Notes
TBA 60 ft (18 m) 2024–25 (2 buses) Battery electric
  • To begin in FY25.[24]
TBD 2025 (13 buses)
  • To begin in FY25.
  • Funded by the FY23 FTA Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant Awards.[25]
2026 (10 buses)
  • Expected to begin in FY26.
(8 buses) Diesel

Retired fleet

[edit]
Year Builder and model name Numbers
(preserved numbers) 		Year Retired Picture Notes
1984 Bus Industries of America
Orion I (01.502) 		1-17 2001
1986 Bus Industries of America
Orion I (01.507) 		18-19 2002
1990–91 20-33 2005
  • Bus #28 is preserved by Commonwealth Coach & Trolley of Roanoke, VA.
1996 Gillig
Phantom 35' 		34-43 2012
1998 44-53 2014
1999 54-58 2015
1999–2000 Orion Bus Industries
Orion V (05.503) 		59-68 2017
  • Bus #59 is preserved by Commonwealth Coach & Trolley of Roanoke, VA.
2002 DaimlerChrysler
Commercial Buses
Orion V (05.503) 		69-76 2019–20
2004–05 77-90 2019–21
2007 91-99
(96) 		2019–22
  • Last order of Orion buses for DASH.[26]
  • 97 is preserved by Friends of the NJ Transportation Heritage Center
Gillig
Phantom 35' 		100-103 2019
  • Last order of high floor buses for DASH.
2001–02 Neoplan USA
AN460 (articulated) 		601-614 2020–21
  • Ex-Westchester County Bee-Line, acquired in 2019.
  • First non-WMATA-operated articulated buses in the Washington region.[27]

Routes

[edit]
Route/Name Terminals Streets traveled Service notes
30
Van Dorn Metro – S Whiting St – Duke St – King St Metro – Old Town Circulator – Braddock Rd Metro 		Van Dorn Metro Braddock Road Metro
  • Duke St
  • S Van Dorn St
  • Some AM Eastbound peak trips begin at Edsall Rd & S Whiting St
Landmark Mall Rdwy & Mall Entrance
31
NVCC – King St – King St Metro – Old Town Circulator – Braddock Rd Metro 		NVCC-Alexandria Braddock Road Metro
  • King St
King Street Metro
32
Landmark – Van Dorn Metro – Eisenhower Ave – King St Metro 		Landmark Mall Rdwy & Mall Entrance King Street Metro
  • Eisenhower Ave
  • S Pickett St
  • Holmes Run Pkwy
33
King St Metro – Commonwealth Ave – Mt Vernon Ave – Potomac Yard Metro 		Potomac Yard Metro King Street Metro
  • Mount Vernon Ave
  • Began serving Potomac Yard Metro on May 19, 2023[28]
34
Lee Center – S Royal St – N Fairfax St – Potomac Yard Metro 		Potomac Yard Metro Lee Center
  • N Fairfax St
  • S Royal St
  • Originally served Braddock Rd Metro until May 21, 2023[28]
35
Van Dorn Metro – Yoakum Pkwy – N Beauregard St – Pentagon Metro 		Pentagon Metro Van Dorn Metro
  • S Van Dorn St
  • N Beauregard St
  • Interstate 395
  • Some late night trips terminate/begin at Park Center
36
Mark Center – Menokin Dr/Park Place – Shirlington – W Glebe Rd – Potomac Yard Metro 		Potomac Yard Metro Mark Center Station
  • Seminary Rd
  • Menokin Dr
  • King St
  • Valley Dr
  • W Glebe Rd
  • Runs as 36A (via Menokin Dr/Martha Custis Dr) or 36B (via N Van Dorn St/Valley Dr)
  • Began serving Potomac Yard Metro on May 19, 2023[28]
102
Mark Center – Seminary Rd – Janneys Ln – King St Metro 		Mark Center Station King Street Metro
  • Seminary Rd
  • Janneys Ln
  • Weekday service only
103
Braddock Rd Metro – Russell Rd – W Glebe Rd – Pentagon Metro 		Pentagon Metro Braddock Road Metro
  • W Braddock Rd
  • W Glebe Rd
  • Interstate 395
  • Weekday peak hour service only
104
Braddock Rd Metro – Cameron Mills Rd – Parkfairfax – Pentagon Metro 		Pentagon Metro Braddock Road Metro
  • W Braddock Rd
  • Cameron Mills Rd
  • Interstate 395
  • Weekday peak hour service only
King Street Trolley King Street Metro Market Square
  • King St
  • Service to the Potomac River Waterfront was eliminated on July 5, 2021[29]

Former Routes

[edit]
Route Name Terminals Major streets Notes
AT1 Plus Seminary Plaza – Beauregard – Landmark Plaza – Van Dorn Metro Van Dorn Metro Seminary Plaza
  • Duke St
  • N Beauregard St
  • Seminary Rd
 All routes were eliminated on September 5, 2021, replaced by new 30- and 100-series routes.[30]
AT2 Braddock Metro – Old Town – Mark Center – Lincolnia Lincolnia Braddock Road Metro
  • Seminary Rd
  • King St
AT2X Mark Center – King Street Metro Express Mark Center Station King Street Metro
  • Seminary Rd
  • Duke St
AT3 Pentagon Metro – Parkfairfax – Old Town – Hunting Point Hunting Point Pentagon Metro
  • W Glebe Rd
  • Russel Rd
  • W Braddock Rd
  • Pendleton St
AT4 Pentagon Metro – Parkfairfax – Old Town City Hall via Old Town Pentagon Metro
  • W Braddock Rd
  • Madison St
  • Montgomery St
AT3/4 Old Town – Parkfairfax Loop City Hall via Old Town
  • Pendleton St
  • W Braddock Rd
  • Russel Rd
  • W Glebe Rd
AT5 Braddock Metro – Old Town – Bradlee Shopping Center – Van Dorn Metro Van Dorn Metro (weekdays)
Eisenhower Ave Metro (weekends) 		Braddock Road Metro
  • Van Dorn St
  • King St
AT6 NVCC Alexandria – King Street Metro NVCC Alexandria King Street Metro
  • King St
AT7 Lee Center – King Street Metro – Van Dorn Metro – Landmark Mall Landmark Mall Rdwy & Mall Entrance Nannie J. Lee Center
  • Eisenhower Ave
  • King St
AT8 Braddock Metro – Old Town – Landmark Mall – Van Dorn Metro Van Dorn Metro Braddock Road Metro
  • Duke St
  • King St
AT9 Mark Center – Bradlee Shopping Center – Shirlington – Potomac Yard Mark Center Station Potomac Yard
Shopping Center
  • Seminary Rd
  • King St
  • Glebe Rd
AT10 King Street Metro – Del Ray – Potomac Yard King Street Metro Potomac Yard
Shopping Center
  • Commonwealth Ave
  • Mount Vernon Ave
102X Mark Center Express Mark Center Station King Street Metro
  • Seminary Rd
  • Janneys Ln
 Suspended as of December 1, 2021

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Alexandria Transit Development Plan" (PDF). City of Alexandria Virginia. January 1, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  2. ^ "DASH Schedules & Maps". January 1, 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  3. ^ "FY 2023 – FY 2028 Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) Transit Development Plan" (PDF). Alexandria Transit Company. March 14, 2022. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Dash 35th Anniversary Celebration - Alexandria Living Magazine". Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Transit Ridership Report March 2023" (PDF). Dash Bus. March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2015" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 2, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-04-11. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  7. ^ "FY2022 Transit Development Plan & New DASH Network". DashBus. 2022.
  8. ^ Miled, Vernon. "Alexandria bus network celebrating new ridership record with block party". ALXnow. Retrieved October 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Board of Directors".
  10. ^ "DASH Unveils Two of its New Electric Buses - Alexandria Living Magazine". Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  11. ^ "The New DASH Network". www.dashbus.com.
  12. ^ "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2016" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 19, 2016. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
  13. ^ a b c d "DASH To Preview New Hybrid Low-Floor Bus And Trolley » AlexandriaNews". 2015-09-19. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
  14. ^ "DASH Announces New AT9 Crosstown Route in Alexandria". Port City Wire. July 22, 2014. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  15. ^ "Fares | DASH". www.dashbus.com. Retrieved 2021-12-20.
  16. ^ "DASH Fares". Alexandria Transit Company. October 17, 2012. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  17. ^ "DASH 2019 Fare Change". Alexandria Transit Company. October 17, 2012. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  18. ^ "Important DASH Pass News!". Alexandria Transit Company. October 17, 2012. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  19. ^ a b c "FY 2025 – FY 2034 Alexandria Transit Strategic Plan (ATSP)" (PDF). Alexandria Transit Company (DASH). May 1, 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c "DASH Buses Get New 'West End' Look to Promote Service Enhancements". ALXnow. 2020-01-08. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  21. ^ a b c "DASH Celebrates Enhancements on the AT1 PLUS – Welcome to Alexandria!". Retrieved 2022-10-11.
  22. ^ a b "Breaking News: DASH Adding Six Electric Buses to Fleet". Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  23. ^ "Alexandria Gets New Electric Buses — A First For Northern Virginia Transit". DCist. Archived from the original on 2022-09-14. Retrieved 2022-09-14.
  24. ^ "DASH Awarded I-395 Commuter Choice Funding – Welcome to Alexandria!". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  25. ^ "FY23 FTA Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant Awards".
  26. ^ "DASH Orion Bus to Make Final Trip on Friday, July 1". dashbus.com - DASH Alexandria Transit Company. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  27. ^ Malouff, Dan. "DASH is running the first non-WMATA articulated buses in Washington area transit". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  28. ^ a b c "DASH to Connect to New Potomac Yard-VT Metrorail Station – Welcome to Alexandria!". Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  29. ^ "King Street Trolley service to return next Monday". ALXnow. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  30. ^ "DASH to Launch New Bus Network, Go Fare-Free on Sept. 5". www.dashbus.com. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
[edit]
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