buses | ALXnow

Metro announces replacement shuttles for upcoming shutdowns

Published June 16, 2022 at 9:50AM

A Metro train headed toward the Van Dorn Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

While DASH won’t be able to cover the service gap from the upcoming Metro closures, WMATA announced some new measures yesterday that will attempt to replace Alexandria’s upcoming loss of Metro service.

There are two Metro shutdowns coming to Alexandria that will, together, eliminate or reduce Metro service in Alexandria from September to next May. The first is a shutdown of all stations south of the new Potomac Yard Metro station. The Potomac Yard closure is expected to last from Sept. 10 to Oct. 22. The Potomac Yard closure overlaps with the start of work on the Yellow Line Bridge from Sept. 10 to May. During the much longer Yellow Line Bridge closure, riders will have to take the Blue Line to Rosslyn to cross over into D.C.

News

DASH implements new boarding and stroller changes

By Vernon Miles

Published April 18, 2022 at 11:00AM

A DASH bus in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Starting today (Monday), Alexandria’s DASH bus network is going through some changes to how riders board buses and how strollers can be used.

While passengers before could only enter buses through the front doors, DASH is changing its policy for riders to be able to use either door.

Opinion

Poll: Have you ridden DASH since the pandemic started?

By Vernon Miles

Published April 15, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated April 15, 2022 at 1:13PM

A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

DASH has been on a roll recently with a variety of factors conspiring to push the bus service up to 300,000 total boardings in March, a 73% increase over ridership last fall.

Some of that’s thanks to changes within the DASH bus system: like eliminating fares and shifting toward a system that prioritizes frequent service in high-density corridors.

News

DASH bus ridership rebounds in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published April 14, 2022 at 1:20PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

The Alexandria bus system has seen a significant uptick in ridership over the last few months, thanks in part to the new fare-free policy, changes to the DASH network and declining Covid numbers.

DASH said ridership hit nearly 300,000 total boardings in March, a 73% increase over ridership in August before the change to the new network. Ridership dipped significantly in January during the Omicron variant.

News

Regional leaders start eyeing financing and operational questions for new Alexandria-Tysons bus-rapid transit

By Vernon Miles

Published March 2, 2022 at 11:00AM

Envision Route 7 BRT concept, photo via NVTC

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is starting to look at financing for an extensive transportation project connecting Alexandria and Tysons.

The Envision Route 7 BRT project aims to bring a high-capacity transit service running from Tysons to Mark center in Alexandria, with stops at Seven Corners, Falls Church and the East Falls Church Metro station. The project is currently undergoing a mobility study looking over traffic operations and impact, with a particular eye toward the Falls Church segment.

News

DASH returns to full service but still faces bus driver shortage

By Vernon Miles

Published February 23, 2022 at 1:00PM

A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

Alexandria’s DASH bus service is headed back to regular service after the omicron surge of COVID-19 forced the bus system to operate with a reduced schedule.

DASH scaled back its weekday bus service in December, with many lines operating on the reduced weekend hours and frequency.

News

DASH leaders say city needs remote charging and more to make electric bus fleet viable

By Vernon Miles

Published February 9, 2022 at 2:30PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

If the city wants a fully electrical bus fleet, DASH leadership said its going to need to invest in making sure buses can recharge across the city.

In a meeting with the City Council ahead of the legislative session last night, DASH General Manager Josh Baker outlined some challenges facing the city as it pushes to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2035.

News

DASH ridership inching back toward pre-pandemic levels

By Vernon Miles

Published January 7, 2022 at 9:45AM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

DASH ridership has been working its way back up toward pre-pandemic levels after a nasty slump caused by COVID-19.

In a monthly newsletter, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson shared some figures for DASH ridership from the months after the city’s new fare-free program and route adjustment was put into place.

News

DASH and other city services return post-snow, but with some exceptions

By Vernon Miles

Published January 4, 2022 at 10:45AM

One day after a severe snowstorm hit Alexandria, some things are returning to normal while other services remain closed.

Alexandria bus service DASH suspended service yesterday, but has since returned with snow routes — adjusted routes following more thoroughly cleared sections of roadway.

Opinion

Poll: Are you optimistic about electric buses in Alexandria?

By Vernon Miles

Published November 18, 2021 at 11:00AM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

Electric buses have had a big boost this past month in Alexandria, with DASH laying out future plans for its all-electric fleet and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) welcomed five new electric buses to the school’s fleet.

But electric buses have also faced some technological hurdles as well. DASH leadership noted that the buses struggle with hills and highways, and they also lack some of the heating of traditional diesel buses where the heat is supplied by the output from the engine.

News

Alexandria City Public Schools add new electric buses to school fleet

By Vernon Miles

Published November 17, 2021 at 3:45PM

ACPS celebrates new electric buses (photo via Abdel Elnoubi/Twitter)

Alexandria’s bus service DASH isn’t alone in starting its electric conversion; yesterday Alexandria City Public Schools celebrated the addition of five new electric buses to the school system’s bus fleet.

At an event yesterday, ACPS and Dominion Energy leadership celebrated the launch of the new buses.