The Alexandria Transit Company's DASH system provides safe, reliable, and courteous bus service within the City of Alexandria, and connects with Metrobus, Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express, and all local bus systems. DASH serves all of the Alexandria Metrorail Stations and the Pentagon Metrorail station.
Alexandria Transit Company (ATC) is a non-profit service corporation wholly owned by the City of Alexandria and currently operates 124 buses, including the King Street Trolley. ATC provides a fixed-route bus service within the City of Alexandria on nine routes and carries more than four million passengers annually. ATC operates transit services within portions of the City of Alexandria and between the City and the Pentagon Transit Station. ATC's purpose is 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.
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.[7]
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 the 30s or 100s eliminating the AT designations.[8]
RidershipEdit
DASH carries over 12,000 passengers per weekday[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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.
FaresEdit
As of September 5, 2021[update], DASH is fare free.[12] Before the free fares, DASH's base fare is $2.00 for riders paying cash or SmarTrip.[13][14] In 2007, DASH converted its buses to allow the use of the WMATASmarTrip, an electronic debit farecard. DASH continued to accept and issue paper transfers until they were eliminated altogether January 1, 2013.[15]
^"DASH Orion Bus to Make Final Trip on Friday, July 1". dashbus.com - DASH Alexandria Transit Company. 2022-06-28. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
^Malouff, Dan. "DASH is running the first non-WMATA articulated buses in Washington area transit". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
^ abc"DASH to Connect to New Potomac Yard-VT Metrorail Station – Welcome to Alexandria! | DASH". Retrieved 2023-06-13.
^"King Street Trolley service to return next Monday | ALXnow". ALXnow | Alexandria, Va. breaking news, local events and community happenings. 2021-06-29. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
^"DASH to Launch New Bus Network, Go Fare-Free on Sept. 5 | DASH". www.dashbus.com. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
External linksEdit
Official site
October 12, 2023
dash, downtown, area, short, dash, service, angeles, angeles, department, transportation, dash, downtown, area, shuttle, dash, service, hartford, hartford, connecticut, transportation, davidson, avenue, shuttle, dash, service, jersey, somerset, county, jersey,. 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 This article relies excessively on references to primary sources Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources Find sources DASH bus news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2016 Learn how and when to remove this template message Driving Alexandria Safely Home DASH is the public bus system for the city of Alexandria Virginia operated by the Alexandria Transit Company DASHA 2021 New Flyer Xcelsior XE60 DASH bus at Van Dorn St Metro Station ParentCity of AlexandriaFoundedMarch 1984 1 Headquarters3000 Business Center Drive Alexandria VAService areaAlexandria VirginiaService typeBus serviceAllianceWMATARoutes10 and the King Street Trolley 2 FleetGillig New Flyer Proterra 3 4 Daily ridership14 900 Q1 2023 5 Annual ridership4 209 500 2015 6 Fuel typeDiesel Diesel electric Hybrid Battery electricOperatorAlexandria Transit CompanyWebsitedashbus comOld DASH sign on a lamppost on Duke St The Alexandria Transit Company s DASH system provides safe reliable and courteous bus service within the City of Alexandria and connects with Metrobus Metrorail Virginia Railway Express and all local bus systems DASH serves all of the Alexandria Metrorail Stations and the Pentagon Metrorail station Alexandria Transit Company ATC is a non profit service corporation wholly owned by the City of Alexandria and currently operates 124 buses including the King Street Trolley ATC provides a fixed route bus service within the City of Alexandria on nine routes and carries more than four million passengers annually ATC operates transit services within portions of the City of Alexandria and between the City and the Pentagon Transit Station ATC s purpose is 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 Contents 1 History 2 Ridership 3 Fares 4 Fleet 4 1 On order 4 2 Retired fleet 5 Routes 5 1 Former Routes 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditIn 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 7 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 the 30s or 100s eliminating the AT designations 8 Ridership EditDASH carries over 12 000 passengers per weekday 9 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 10 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 11 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 EditAs of September 5 2021 update DASH is fare free 12 Before the free fares DASH s base fare is 2 00 for riders paying cash or SmarTrip 13 14 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 15 Fleet EditPhoto Builder andmodel name Model year Length Numbers Total Vehicles in service Fuel type Notes nbsp GilligPhantom 40 2005 40 ft 12 19 m 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 nbsp Motor Coach IndustriesD4500 2002 45 ft 13 72 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 nbsp GilligLow Floor 35 2011 35 ft 10 67 m 200 206 7 buses 7 Diesel hybrid First low floor buses for DASH 10 nbsp 2012 207 211 5 buses 52014 212 216 5 buses 52015 217 229 13 buses 13 225 229 are wrapped in West End livery in early 2020 16 17 2017 230 233 4 buses 4 230 232 are wrapped in West End livery in early 2020 16 17 nbsp 2018 501 514 14 buses 14 Diesel nbsp GilligLow Floor 40 2011 40 ft 12 19 m 300 302 3 buses 3 Diesel hybrid First low floor buses for DASH 10 nbsp 2012 303 307 5 buses 52014 308 309 2 buses 22017 310 311 2 buses 2 These buses are wrapped in West End livery in early 2020 16 17 nbsp GilligLow Floor Trolley 29 2011 29 ft 8 839 m 400 404 5 trolley buses 5 First low floor trolley buses for DASH 10 nbsp GilligLow Floor Trolley 35 2015 35 ft 10 67 m 405 1 trolley bus 1 nbsp New FlyerXcelsior XD35 2019 515 527 13 buses 13 Diesel2020 528 530 3 buses 3 nbsp New FlyerXcelsior XD40 40 ft 12 19 m 701 705 5 buses 5 nbsp New FlyerXcelsior CHARGE XE40 801 803 3 buses 18 3 Battery electric First all electric transit buses for DASH 19 nbsp New FlyerXcelsior CHARGE XE60articulated 2021 60 ft 18 m 901 904 4 buses 4 nbsp ProterraZX5 40 ft 12 19 m 804 810 7 buses 18 7 operates under the King Street Trolley branding On order Edit Builder and model name Length Year Fleet number Fuel type NotesNew FlyerXcelsior XD40 40 ft 12 19 m 2023 706 715 10 buses Diesel To replace some of the 2011 12 Gillig Low Floor buses TBA 60 ft 18 m 2024 25 TBD 2 buses Battery electric To begin in FY25 20 Retired fleet Edit Year Builder and model name Numbers preserved numbers Year Retired Picture Notes1984 Bus Industries of AmericaOrion I 01 502 1 17 20011986 Bus Industries of AmericaOrion I 01 507 18 19 2002 nbsp 1990 91 20 33 2005 Bus 28 is preserved by Commonwealth Coach amp Trolley of Roanoke VA 1996 GilligPhantom 35 34 43 2012 nbsp 1998 44 53 20141999 54 58 20151999 2000 Orion Bus IndustriesOrion V 05 503 59 68 2017 nbsp Bus 59 is preserved by Commonwealth Coach amp Trolley of Roanoke VA 2002 DaimlerChryslerCommercial BusesOrion V 05 503 69 76 2019 20 nbsp 2004 05 77 90 2019 212007 91 99 96 2019 22 Last order of Orion buses for DASH 21 97 is preserved by Friends of the NJ Transportation Heritage CenterGilligPhantom 35 100 103 2019 nbsp Last order of high floor buses for DASH 2001 02 Neoplan USAAN460 articulated 601 614 2020 21 nbsp Ex Westchester County Bee Line acquired in 2019 First non WMATA operated articulated buses in the Washington region 22 Routes EditRoute Name Terminals Streets traveled Service notes30Van 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 amp S Whiting StLandmark Mall Rdwy amp Mall Entrance31NVCC King St King St Metro Old Town Circulator Braddock Rd Metro NVCC Alexandria Braddock Road Metro King StKing Street Metro32Landmark Van Dorn Metro Eisenhower Ave King St Metro Landmark Mall Rdwy amp Mall Entrance King Street Metro Eisenhower Ave S Pickett St Holmes Run Pkwy33King 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 23 34Lee Center S Royal St N Fairfax St Potomac Yard Metro Potomac Yard Metro Lee Center N Fairfax St S Royal St Previously served Braddock Rd Metro until May 21 2023 23 35Van 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 Center36Mark 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 23 102Mark Center Seminary Rd Janneys Ln King St Metro Mark Center Station King Street Metro Seminary Rd Janneys Ln Weekday service only103Braddock 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 only104Braddock 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 onlyKing Street Trolley King Street Metro Market Square King St Service to the Potomac River Waterfront was eliminated on July 5 2021 24 Former Routes Edit Route Name Terminals Major streets NotesAT1 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 25 AT2 Braddock Metro Old Town Mark Center Lincolnia Lincolnia Braddock Road Metro Seminary Rd King StAT2X Mark Center King Street Metro Express Mark Center Station King Street Metro Seminary Rd Duke StAT3 Pentagon Metro Parkfairfax Old Town Hunting Point Hunting Point Pentagon Metro W Glebe Rd Russel Rd W Braddock Rd Pendleton StAT4 Pentagon Metro Parkfairfax Old Town City Hall via Old Town Pentagon Metro W Braddock Rd Madison St Montgomery StAT3 4 Old Town Parkfairfax Loop City Hall via Old Town Pendleton St W Braddock Rd Russel Rd W Glebe RdAT5 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 StAT6 NVCC Alexandria King Street Metro NVCC Alexandria King Street Metro King StAT7 Lee Center King Street Metro Van Dorn Metro Landmark Mall Landmark Mall Rdwy amp Mall Entrance Nannie J Lee Center Eisenhower Ave King StAT8 Braddock Metro Old Town Landmark Mall Van Dorn Metro Van Dorn Metro Braddock Road Metro Duke St King StAT9 Mark Center Bradlee Shopping Center Shirlington Potomac Yard Mark Center Station Potomac YardShopping Center Seminary Rd King St Glebe RdAT10 King Street Metro Del Ray Potomac Yard King Street Metro Potomac YardShopping Center Commonwealth Ave Mount Vernon Ave102X Mark Center Express Mark Center Station King Street Metro Seminary Rd Janneys Ln Suspended as of December 1 2021References Edit Alexandria Transit Development Plan PDF City of Alexandria Virginia January 1 2014 Retrieved 6 March 2019 DASH Schedules amp Maps January 1 2017 Retrieved 22 February 2019 FY 2023 FY 2028 Alexandria Transit Company DASH Transit Development Plan PDF Alexandria Transit Company March 14 2022 Retrieved 12 June 2022 Dash 35th Anniversary Celebration Alexandria Living Magazine Retrieved 4 March 2019 Transit Ridership Report March 2023 PDF Dash Bus March 2023 Retrieved 30 May 2023 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 DASH Unveils Two of its New Electric Buses Alexandria Living Magazine Retrieved 20 October 2020 The New DASH Network DASH www dashbus com 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 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 DASH Announces New AT9 Crosstown Route in Alexandria Port City Wire July 22 2014 Retrieved 2019 03 06 Fares DASH www dashbus com Retrieved 2021 12 20 DASH Fares Alexandria Transit Company October 17 2012 Retrieved 2016 07 17 DASH 2019 Fare Change Alexandria Transit Company October 17 2012 Retrieved 2016 07 17 Important DASH Pass News Alexandria Transit Company October 17 2012 Archived from the original on August 7 2016 Retrieved 2016 07 17 a b c DASH Buses Get New West End Look to Promote Service Enhancements ALXnow Alexandria Now 2020 01 08 Retrieved 2022 06 03 a b c DASH Celebrates Enhancements on the AT1 PLUS Welcome to Alexandria DASH Retrieved 2022 10 11 a b BREAKING NEWS DASH Adding Six Electric Buses to Fleet Retrieved 3 January 2021 Alexandria Gets New Electric Buses A First For Northern Virginia Transit DCist Archived from the original on 2022 09 14 Retrieved 2022 09 14 DASH Awarded I 395 Commuter Choice Funding Welcome to Alexandria DASH Retrieved 2023 10 08 DASH Orion Bus to Make Final Trip on Friday July 1 dashbus com DASH Alexandria Transit Company 2022 06 28 Retrieved 2022 06 30 Malouff Dan DASH is running the first non WMATA articulated buses in Washington area transit Greater Greater Washington Retrieved 15 August 2019 a b c DASH to Connect to New Potomac Yard VT Metrorail Station Welcome to Alexandria DASH Retrieved 2023 06 13 King Street Trolley service to return next Monday ALXnow ALXnow Alexandria Va breaking news local events and community happenings 2021 06 29 Retrieved 2023 06 13 DASH to Launch New Bus Network Go Fare Free on Sept 5 DASH www dashbus com Retrieved 7 October 2022 External links EditOfficial site Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title DASH bus amp oldid 1179698303, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
