DASH (bus)

---

title: "DASH (bus)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["bus-transportation-in-virginia", "transit-agencies-in-virginia", "transportation-in-alexandria,-virginia"] description: "Public bus system" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DASH_(bus)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Public bus system ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox Bus transit"]

Field	Value
name	DASH
logo	ATC DASH Bus Logo 2025.png
logo_size	125
image	DASH 2021 New Flyer Xcelsior XE60 901.jpg
image_caption	DASH bus at Van Dorn Street station
parent	City of Alexandria
founded	March 1984
headquarters	3000 Business Center Drive, Alexandria, VA
service_area	Alexandria, Virginia
service_type	Bus service
alliance	WMATA
routes	11
fleet	{{flatlist
* Proterra<ref name	":5"
ridership	14,900 (Q1 2023)
annual_ridership	4,209,500 (2015)
fuel_type	Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid, Battery electric
operator	Alexandria Transit Company
website
image_size	300px
::

::callout[type=note] the bus operator in Alexandria, Virginia ::

| name = DASH | logo = ATC DASH Bus Logo 2025.png | logo_size = 125 | image = DASH 2021 New Flyer Xcelsior XE60 901.jpg | image_caption = DASH bus at Van Dorn Street station | parent = City of Alexandria | founded = March 1984 | headquarters = 3000 Business Center Drive, Alexandria, VA | locale = | service_area = Alexandria, Virginia | service_type = Bus service | alliance = WMATA | routes = 11 | destinations = | stops = | hubs = | stations = | lounge = | fleet = {{flatlist|

• Gillig
• New Flyer
• Proterra | ridership = 14,900 (Q1 2023) | annual_ridership = 4,209,500 (2015) | fuel_type = Diesel, Diesel-electric Hybrid, Battery electric | operator = Alexandria Transit Company | website = | image_size = 300px

DASH is the main public transit bus operator in the Northern Virginia city of Alexandria. DASH provides bus service within the City of Alexandria, connecting to local and regional public transit services in the Washington metropolitan area. DASH operates throughout the city of Alexandria, with 124 buses on eleven routes. DASH buses serve all five Washington Metro stations within Alexandria city limits, with additional hubs at the Mark Center Building, the former Landmark Mall, and The Pentagon. DASH buses carry over five million passengers annually .

DASH is operated by the Alexandria Transit Company (ATC), a non-profit corporation wholly owned by the City of Alexandria. ATC is governed by an eleven-person board of directors elected by the city council. The Alexandria Transit Company 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

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.

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.

Fares

, DASH is fare free. Before the free fares, DASH's base fare was $2.00 for riders paying cash or SmarTrip. 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.

Fleet

DASH operates a fleet of 101 buses as of 2021.

Active

::data[format=table] | Photo | Builder and model name | Model year | Length | Numbers (Total) | Vehicles in service | Fuel type | Engine | Transmission | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | [[File:DASH 2005 Gillig Phantom -102 on Lincolnia Road..jpg|150px]] | Gillig Phantom 40' | 2005 | 40 ft | 101–102 (2 buses) | 1 retiring | Diesel | Cummins ISL | Allison B400R | Ex-PRTC OmniRide, acquired in 2019. | | [[File:Alexandria DASH 206.jpg|150x150px]] | Gillig Low Floor 35' | 2011 | 35 ft | 200–206 (7 buses) | 7 | Diesel hybrid | Cummins ISL9 | Allison H 40 EP | date=2015-09-19 |title=DASH To Preview New Hybrid Low-Floor Bus And Trolley » AlexandriaNews |url=https://www.alexandrianews.org/2011/2011/12/dash-to-preview-new-hybrid-low-floor-bus-and-trolley/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919195910/https://www.alexandrianews.org/2011/2011/12/dash-to-preview-new-hybrid-low-floor-bus-and-trolley/ |archive-date=19 September 2015 |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=}} | | [[File:Alexandria DASH 233.jpg|150x150px]] | 2012 | 207–211 (5 buses) | 2 retiring | | | | | | | | 2014 | 212–216 (5 buses) | 5 | | | | | | | | | 2015 | 217–229 (13 buses) | 13 | | | | | | | | | 2017 | 230–233 (4 buses) | 4 | Cummins L9 | | | | | | | | [[File:DASH 2018 Gillig LF Advantage Diesel.jpg|150px]] | 2018 | 501–514 (14 buses) | 14 | Diesel | Allison B400R | | | | | | [[File:Alexandria DASH 300.jpg|150x150px]] | Gillig Low Floor 40' | 2011 | 40 ft | 300–302 (3 buses) | 2 retiring | Diesel hybrid | Cummins ISL9 | Allison H 40 EP hybrid system | First low floor buses for DASH. | | [[File:Alexandria DASH 303.jpg|150x150px]] | 2012 | 303–307 (5 buses) | 3 retiring | | | | | | | | 2014 | 308–309 (2 buses) | 2 | | | | | | | | | 2017 | 310–311 (2 buses) | 2 | Cummins L9 | | | | | | | | [[File:King St Trolley.jpg|150px]] | Gillig Low Floor Trolley 29' | 2011 | 29 ft | 400–404 (5 trolley buses) | 5 | Cummins ISL9 | Operates on the King Street Trolley route | | | | [[File:King Street Trolley 405.jpg|150px]] | Gillig Low Floor Trolley 35' | 2015 | 35 ft | 405 (1 trolley bus) | 1 | Operates on the King Street Trolley route | | | | | [[File:DASH 2019 NF Xcelsior XD35.jpg|150px]] | New Flyer Xcelsior XD35 | 2019 | 515–527 (13 buses) | 13 | Diesel | Cummins L9 | Allison B400R | | | | 2020 | 528–530 (3 buses) | 3 | | | | | | | | | [[File:Alexandria DASH 703.jpg|150x150px]] | New Flyer Xcelsior XD40 | 40 ft | 701–705 (5 buses) | 5 | | | | | | | [[File:DASH New Flyer XE40 -803.jpg|150px]] | New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE XE40 | 801–803 (3 buses) | 3 | Battery electric | | | First all-electric transit buses for DASH. | | | | [[File:Alexandria DASH 903.jpg|150x150px]] | New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE60 articulated | 2021 | 60 ft | 901–904 (4 buses) | 4 | | | | | | [[File:DASH 2021 Proterra ZX5 805 at Seminary Plaza.jpg|150px]] | Proterra ZX5+ | 40 ft | 804–810 (7 buses) | 3 | | | | | | | [[File:Alexandria DASH 709.jpg|150x150px]] | New Flyer Xcelsior XD40 | 2023 | 706–715 (10 buses) | 10 | Diesel | Cummins L9 | Allison B400R | | | | | New Flyer Xcelsior CHARGE NG XE60 articulated | 2025 | 60 ft | 905–906 (2 buses) | 2 | Battery electric | | | | ::

On order

::data[format=table]

Builder and model name	Length	Year	Fleet number	Fuel type	Notes
New Flyer
Xcelsior XD40	40 ft	2025	716–721
(6 buses)	Diesel
Gillig
Low Floor Trolley 35'	35 ft	2026	406–410
(5 buses)	Battery electric
TBA	TBD	2026	(8 buses)
2027	(12 buses)
::

Retired fleet

::data[format=table] | Year | Builder and model name | Numbers (preserved numbers) | Engine | Transmission | Picture | Notes | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1984 | Bus Industries of America Orion I (01.502) | 1-17 | Detroit Diesel 6v92 | Allison B400R | | | | 1986 | Bus Industries of America Orion I (01.507) | 18-19 | [[Image:DASH Orion I.jpg|150px]] | | | | | 1990–91 | 20-33 | | | | | | | 1996 | Gillig Phantom 35' | 34-43 | Cummins C8.3 | [[File:DASH 37 at King Street Metro.jpg|150px]] | | | | 1998 | 44-53 | Voith D864.3 | | | | | | 1999 | 54-58 | Cummins ISC | | | | | | 1999–2000 | Orion Bus Industries Orion V (05.503) | 59-68 | Cummins ISM | [[File:DASH Orion V (3579284345).jpg|150px]] | | | | 2002 | DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses Orion V (05.503) | 69-76 | Voith D864.3E | [[File:Alexandria DASH 95.jpg|150x150px]] | | | | 2004–05 | 77-90 | | | | | | | 2007 | 91-99 (96) | Voith D864.5 | | | | | | Gillig Phantom 35' | 100-103 | Allison B400R | [[File:DASH Gillig Phantom.jpg|150px]] | | | | | 2001–02 | Neoplan USA AN460 (articulated) | 601-614 | Detroit Diesel Series 60 | Allison B500R | [[File:DASHBus_Neoplan_AN460_601.jpg|150px]] | | | 2002 | Motor Coach Industries D4500 | 103–105 | [[File:DASH 2002 MCI D4500 104.jpg|150px]] | | | | ::

Routes

::data[format=table]

Route/Name	Terminals	Streets traveled	Service notes
30/OTC
Van Dorn Metro – Whiting St – Duke St – King St Metro – Braddock Rd Metro	Van Dorn Metro	Braddock Road Metro
Landmark
31/OTC
NVCC – King St – King St Metro – Braddock Rd Metro	NVCC-Alexandria	Braddock Road Metro
King Street Metro
32
Landmark – Van Dorn Metro – Eisenhower Valley – King St Metro	Landmark	King Street Metro
33
King St Metro – Commonwealth Ave – Mt Vernon Ave – Potomac Yard Metro	Potomac Yard Metro	King Street Metro
34
Lee Center – S Royal St – N Fairfax St – Potomac Yard Metro	Potomac Yard Metro	Lee Center
35
Van Dorn Metro – Yoakum Pkwy – Beauregard St – Pentagon Metro	Pentagon Metro	Van Dorn Metro
36A/36B
Mark Center – Menokin Dr/Park Place – Shirlington – W Glebe Rd – Potomac Yard Metro	Potomac Yard Metro	Mark Center Station
102
Mark Center – Seminary Rd – Janneys Ln – King St Metro	Mark Center Station	King Street Metro
103
Braddock Rd Metro – Russell Rd – Glebe Rd – Pentagon Metro	Pentagon Metro	Braddock Road Metro
104
Braddock Rd Metro – Cameron Mills Rd – Parkfairfax – Pentagon Metro	Pentagon Metro	Braddock Road Metro
King Street Trolley	King Street Metro	Market Square
::

Former Routes Before 2025

::data[format=table]

Route	Name	Terminals	Major streets	Notes
AT1 Plus	Seminary Plaza – Beauregard – Landmark Plaza – Van Dorn Metro	Van Dorn Metro	Seminary Plaza
AT2	Braddock Metro – Old Town – Mark Center – Lincolnia	Lincolnia	Braddock Road Metro
AT2X	Mark Center – King Street Metro Express	Mark Center Station	King Street Metro
AT3	Pentagon Metro – Parkfairfax – Old Town – Hunting Point	Hunting Point	Pentagon Metro
AT4	Pentagon Metro – Parkfairfax – Old Town	City Hall via Old Town	Pentagon Metro
AT3/4	Old Town – Parkfairfax Loop	City Hall via Old Town
AT5	Braddock Metro – Old Town – Bradlee Shopping Center – Van Dorn Metro	Van Dorn Metro (weekdays)
Eisenhower Ave Metro (weekends)	Braddock Road Metro
AT6	NVCC Alexandria – King Street Metro	NVCC Alexandria	King Street Metro
AT7	Lee Center – King Street Metro – Van Dorn Metro – Landmark Mall	Landmark Mall Rdwy & Mall Entrance	Nannie J. Lee Center
AT8	Braddock Metro – Old Town – Landmark Mall – Van Dorn Metro	Van Dorn Metro	Braddock Road Metro
AT9	Mark Center – Bradlee Shopping Center – Shirlington – Potomac Yard	Mark Center Station	Potomac Yard
Shopping Center
AT10	King Street Metro – Del Ray – Potomac Yard	King Street Metro	Potomac Yard
Shopping Center
102X	Mark Center Express	Mark Center Station	King Street Metro
::

References

References

1. (January 1, 2014). "Alexandria Transit Development Plan". City of Alexandria Virginia.
2. (January 1, 2017). "DASH Schedules & Maps".
3. (March 12, 2025). "FY 2025 – FY 2034 Alexandria Transit Strategic Plan (ATSP) FY 2026 Update Addendum".
4. "Dash 35th Anniversary Celebration - Alexandria Living Magazine".
5. (March 2023). "Transit Ridership Report March 2023".
6. (March 2, 2016). "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2015".
7. (2022). "FY2022 Transit Development Plan & New DASH Network".
8. Miled, Vernon. "Alexandria bus network celebrating new ridership record with block party". ALXnow.
9. "Board of Directors".
10. "DASH Unveils Two of its New Electric Buses - Alexandria Living Magazine".
11. "The New DASH Network".
12. "Fares {{!}} DASH".
13. (October 17, 2012). "DASH Fares". Alexandria Transit Company.
14. (October 17, 2012). "DASH 2019 Fare Change". Alexandria Transit Company.
15. (October 17, 2012). "Important DASH Pass News!". Alexandria Transit Company.
16. (2015-09-19). "DASH To Preview New Hybrid Low-Floor Bus And Trolley » AlexandriaNews".
17. "Alexandria Gets New Electric Buses — A First For Northern Virginia Transit".
18. "Breaking News: DASH Adding Six Electric Buses to Fleet".
19. "DASH Awarded I-395 Commuter Choice Funding – Welcome to Alexandria!".
20. "FY23 FTA Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant Awards".
21. "FY23 FTA Bus and Low- and No-Emission Grant Awards".
22. (2022-06-28). "DASH Orion Bus to Make Final Trip on Friday, July 1".
23. "DASH is running the first non-WMATA articulated buses in Washington area transit".
24. "DASH to Connect to New Potomac Yard-VT Metrorail Station – Welcome to Alexandria!".
25. (2021-06-29). "King Street Trolley service to return next Monday".
26. "DASH to Launch New Bus Network, Go Fare-Free on Sept. 5".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::