DASH (bus)

Driving Alexandria Safely Home (DASH) is the public bus system for the city of Alexandria, Virginia, operated by the Alexandria Transit Company.

DASH

A 2018 DASH Gillig Low Floor Advantage Diesel leaving King Street – Old Town station
Slogan	Keeping Alexandria Moving
Parent	City of Alexandria
Founded	March 1984[1]
Headquarters	3000 Business Center Drive, Alexandria, VA
Service area	Alexandria, Virginia
Service type	Bus service
Alliance	WMATA
Routes	10 and the King Street Trolley[2]
Fleet	Orion Gillig Neoplan New Flyer[3][4]
Daily ridership	13,900 (Q2 2016)[5]
Annual ridership	4,209,500 (2015)[6]
Fuel type	Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid, Battery electric
Operator	Alexandria Transit Company
Website	dashbus.com

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 during morning and evening peak periods.

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 Metrorail 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.

History

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 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]

Ridership

DASH carries over 12,000 passengers per weekday[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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

As of September 15, 2019, DASH's current base fare is $2.00 for riders paying cash or SmarTrip.[11][12] 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.[13]

Fleet

Photo	Builder and model name	Model year	Length	Numbers (Total)	Amount in service	Fuel Propulsion	Powertrain (Engine/Transmission)	Notes
	Neoplan USA AN460 articulated	2001–2002	60 ft (18.29 m)	601–614 (14 buses)	3 retiring	Diesel	Detroit Diesel Series 60 Allison B500R	Ex-Westchester County Bee-Line, acquired in 2019, formerly 506-507, 510, 512, 514, 524, 531, 533, 536, 546, 548, 556-557, 573. First non–WMATA operator to operate articulated buses in the Washington area transit.[14] Served as shuttle buses for the WMATA Yellow/Blue Line shutdown for summer 2019.[15] 601, 612, and 614 remains active
	Motor Coach Industries D4500	2002	45 ft (13.72 m)	103–105 (3 buses)	0 sidelined		Detroit Diesel Series 60 Allison B500	Ex-PRTC OmniRide, acquired in 2019, formerly 327, 328, and 336. Originally purchased for use on the WMATA Blue Line Shuttle. Units were renumbered due to newer buses taking their original numbers (703-705).
	DaimlerChrysler North America Orion V	2004–2005	35 ft (10.67 m)	77–90 (14 buses)	4 retiring		Cummins ISM Voith D864.3E	77, 85, 87, and 90 remains active
	Gillig Phantom	2005	40 ft (12.19 m)	101–102 (2 buses)	0 sidelined		Cummins ISL Allison B400R	Ex-PRTC OmniRide, acquired in 2019, formerly 185, and 187. These buses have suburban configuration, and single doors. Served as shuttle buses for the WMATA Yellow/Blue Line shutdown for summer 2019. Units were renumbered due to newer buses taking their original numbers (701-702).
	DaimlerChrysler North America Orion V	2007	35 ft (10.67 m)	91–99 (9 buses)	5 retiring		Cummins ISM Voith D864.3E	91, 95, 96, 97, 98 remains active
	Gillig Low Floor	2011–2017		200–233 (34 buses)	34	Diesel-electric hybrid	Cummins ISB6.7 Allison H 40 EP Hybrid System
			40 ft (12.19 m)	300–311 (12 buses)	12
		2018	35 ft (10.67 m)	501–514 (14 buses)	14	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B3400XFE (501-502) Allison B400R (503-514)
	Gillig Low Floor Trolley^	2011	29 ft (8.839 m)	400–404 (5 trolley buses)	5	Diesel-electric hybrid	Cummins ISB6.7 Allison H 40 EP Hybrid System
		2015	35 ft (10.67 m)	405 (1 trolley bus)	1
	New Flyer Xcelsior XD35	2019	35 ft (10.67 m)	515–527 (13 buses)[4]	13	Diesel	Cummins L9 Allison B400R	Entered in service on March 4, 2019
		2020		528–530 (3 buses)[4]	3		Cummins L9 Allison B3400XFE	Entered in service on February 11, 2020 Replaced some Orion Vs
	New Flyer Xcelsior XD40		40 ft (12.19 m)	701–705 (5 buses)[4]	5		Cummins L9 Allison B3400XFE	Entered in service on February 10, 2020 Replaced some Orion Vs
	New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE XE40[16]			801–803 (3 buses)[7]	3	Battery electric	Siemens ELFA permanent electromagnetic motor rated at 215 hp 200 kilowatt-hours of energy stored in lithium-ion batteries	Entered in service on November 20, 2020. First all-electric transit buses for DASH. Replacing the remaining high floor buses.

^operates under the King Street Trolley branding

On order

Builder and model name	Length	Year	Fleet number	Fuel type	Engine/Transmission	Notes
Proterra Catalyst BE40 E2	40 ft (12 m)	2020	804–806 (3 buses)[17]	Battery electric	TBA	To replace the remaining high floor buses.
New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE XE40	40 ft (12 m)	2021	TBA (8 buses)[16]	Battery electric	TBA	To replace the remaining high floor buses.

Retired fleet

Year	Builder and model name	Numbers (preserved numbers)	Year Retired	Picture	Powertrain (engine and transmission)	Notes
1984	Bus Industries of America Orion I (01.502)	1–17			Detroit Diesel 6V71N Allison MT-644
1986	Bus Industries of America Orion I (01.507)	18–19			Detroit Diesel 6V92TA Allison HT-747
1990–1991		20–33	2007		Cummins L10 Voith D863.2	28 is preserved by Commonwealth Coach & Trolley of Roanoke, VA.
1996	Gillig Phantom	34–43	2012		Cummins C8.3 Allison B400R	A few buses were repainted to an updated scheme, and have its destination sign upgraded.
1998		44–53	2014		Cummins ISC Voith D863.3
1999		54–58	2015		Cummins ISM Voith D863.3
1999–2000	Orion Bus Industries Orion V (05.503)	59–68	2017		Cummins ISM Voith D863.3E	Bus 68 remained on property as a training bus.
2002	DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses Orion V (05.503)	69–76	2019–2020		Cummins ISM Voith D863.3E	All buses retired on November 2, 2020, replaced by the 2020 New Flyer Xcelsiors
2007	Gillig Phantom	100–103	2019		Cummins ISM Allison B400R	All buses retired on October 3, 2019

Routes

Route	Name	Terminals		Major streets	History	Notes
AT1 Plus	Seminary Plaza – Beauregard – Landmark Plaza – Van Dorn Metro	Van Dorn Street station	Seminary Plaza	Duke Street, North Beauregard Street, Seminary Road	Originally ran as Route AT1[18]	Does not serve Mark Center on weekends.[19][20]
AT2	Braddock Metro – Old Town – Mark Center – Lincolnia	Lincolnia	Braddock Road station	Seminary Road, King Street	This route operates via Old Town Alexandria	[21][22]
AT2X	Mark Center – King Street Metro Express	Mark Center Station	King Street – Old Town	Seminary Road, Duke Street	This route operates non stop between the two terminals.	Express route. weekday peak hour service only.
AT3	Pentagon Metro – Parkfairfax – Old Town – Hunting Point	Hunting Point	Pentagon Station	West Glebe Road, Russel Road, West Braddock Road, Pendleton Street		weekday peak hour service only.[23][24]
AT4	Pentagon Metro – Parkfairfax – Old Town	City Hall via Old Town, Alexandria	Pentagon station	West Braddock Road, Madison Street, Montgomery Street		weekday peak hour service only.[25][26]
AT3/4	Old Town – Parkfairfax Loop	City Hall via Old Town Alexandria		Pendleton Street, West Braddock Road, Russel Street, West Glebe Road	This route operates on a loop around Parkfairfax	Off-peak hour and weekend service only.[27]
AT5	Braddock Metro – Old Town – Bradlee Shopping Center – Van Dorn Metro	Van Dorn Street station (Weekdays) & Eisenhower Avenue station (Weekends)	Braddock Road station	Van Dorn Street, King Street	This route operates via Old Town Alexandria	[28][29]
AT6	Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) Alexandria – King Street Metro	Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC)	King Street – Old Town	King Street	Route AT6 replaced Metrobus 28C in mid 2002.	weekdays only[30][31]
AT7	Lee Center – King Street Metro – Van Dorn Metro – Landmark Mall	Landmark Mall	Nannie J. Lee Center	Eisenhower Avenue, King Street	This route operates via Eisenhower Avenue station	weekdays only[32][33]
AT8	Braddock Metro – Old Town – Van Dorn Metro – Landmark Mall	Van Dorn Street station	Braddock Road station	Duke Street, King Street	This route operates via Old Town Alexandria	[34][35]
AT9	Mark Center – Bradlee Shopping Center – Shirlington – Potomac Yard	Mark Center Station	Potomac Yard Shopping Center	Seminary Road, King Street, Glebe Road	This route serves Shirlington station in Arlington County. Sunday Service began on October 13, 2019.[18]	[36][37]
AT10	King Street Metro – Del Ray – Potomac Yard	King Street – Old Town	Potomac Yard Shopping Center	Commonwealth Avenue, Mount Vernon Avenue	Route AT10 replaced Metrobus 9B and 10P on June 25, 2006.[38]	[39][40]
KST	King Street Trolley	King Street – Old Town	Potomac River Waterfront	King Street		This route is free[41]

References

1. "Alexandria Transit Development Plan" (PDF). City of Alexandria Virginia. January 1, 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
2. "DASH Schedules & Maps". January 1, 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
3. "FY 2021 – FY 2026 Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) Transit Development Plan" (PDF). Alexandria Transit Company. March 14, 2020. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
4. "Dash 35th Anniversary Celebration - Alexandria Living Magazine". Retrieved 4 March 2019.
5. "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2016" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. August 22, 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx.
6. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2015" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. March 2, 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2016 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx.
7. "DASH Unveils Two of its New Electric Buses - Alexandria Living Magazine". Retrieved 20 October 2020.
8. "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2016" (pdf). American Public Transportation Association. May 19, 2016. Retrieved 2016-09-17 – via http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/ridershipreport.aspx.
9. "DASH To Preview New Hybrid Low-Floor Bus And Trolley". Alexandria News. December 7, 2011. Retrieved 2016-09-17.
10. "DASH Announces New AT9 Crosstown Route in Alexandria". Port City Wire. July 22, 2014. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
11. "DASH Fares". Alexandria Transit Company. October 17, 2012. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
12. "DASH 2019 Fare Change". Alexandria Transit Company. October 17, 2012. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
13. "Important DASH Pass News!". Alexandria Transit Company. October 17, 2012. Archived from the original on August 7, 2016. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
14. Malouff, Dan. "DASH is running the first non-WMATA articulated buses in Washington area transit". Greater Greater Washington. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
15. "Metro Closure Overview DASH". Retrieved 25 May 2019.
16. "Alexandria Gets New Electric Buses — A First For Northern Virginia Transit". Retrieved 27 January 2021.
17. "BREAKING NEWS: DASH Adding Six Electric Buses to Fleet". Retrieved 3 January 2021.
18. "Major Service Changes Effective October 13, 2019". October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
19. "DASH AT1 Plus Northbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
20. "DASH AT1 Plus Southbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
21. "DASH AT2 Eastbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
22. "DASH AT2 Westbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
23. "DASH AT3 Northbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
24. "DASH AT3 Southbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
25. "DASH AT4 Northbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
26. "DASH AT4 Southbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
27. "DASH AT3/4 Loop" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
28. "DASH AT5 Eastbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
29. "DASH AT5 Westbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
30. "DASH AT6 Eastbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
31. "DASH AT6 Westbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
32. "DASH AT7 Eastbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
33. "DASH AT7 Westbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
34. "DASH AT8 Eastbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
35. "DASH AT8 Westbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
36. "DASH AT9 Eastbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
37. "DASH AT9 Westbound" (PDF). October 1, 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
38. "Two Metrobus routes discontinued". June 23, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 11, 2020.
39. "DASH AT10 Northbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
40. "DASH AT10 Southbound" (PDF). February 3, 2019. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
41. "King Street Trolley Rackcard" (PDF). August 31, 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2019.

External links

• Official site