The city of Alexandria will receive $10.9 million in federal grant funding toward DASH, Sens. Mark Warner (D) and Tim Kaine (D) announced today (Wednesday).
Funding will benefit the transit system’s Bus Fleet Replacement & Facility Rehabilitation project, an undertaking that aims to transition Alexandria to 100% zero-emission buses over the next decade and build infrastructure to support the growing fleet, according to a release.
The funding is part of a near-$70 million package awarded through the United States Department of Transportation’s Low- or No-Emission Program and Buses & Bus Facilities Program. These programs are made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which both senators helped pass.
“Reliable access to public transportation is vital to Virginians, and we’re thrilled to announce this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that will modernize and electrify buses across the Commonwealth’s cities and rural communities, increasing their efficiency, boosting accessibility, and reducing operating costs and environmental risk,” Warner and Kaine said in a joint statement.
DASH aims to transition to a fully electric bus fleet by 2035.
Last month, the transit system broke ground on a new electric bus charging station next to its headquarters at 3000 Business Center Drive. The new garage is expected to accommodate up to 32 electric buses and is anticipated to open in early 2027.
The newly announced funding also secures $8.6 million for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s VA Rural Transit Asset Management and Modernization Program, as well as $50.3 million for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to purchase low-emission buses, per the release.
