buses | ALXnow

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

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.

News

DASH electric buses face challenges from hills and cold weather

By Vernon Miles

Published November 8, 2021 at 3:45PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

Alexandria bus network DASH has been charging ahead on its electric bus program, but DASH leadership said the initiative has also faced a few bumps in the road.

At a meeting of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission last week, DASH General Manager Josh Baker shared some of the city bus service’s experience with implementing electrical buses.

News

Planned bus rapid transit route from Alexandria to Tysons rolls ahead

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 2:15PM

Envision Route 7 BRT concept, photo via NVTC

A proposed bus rapid transit (BRT) route that could connect Alexandria to Tysons is moving into a new phase of study that will assess options through the Seven Corners area.

The plan is eventually to have the Envision Route 7 BRT line run from the Spring Hill Metro station in Tysons down to the Mark Center, where redevelopment could help turn the area into a hub that connects with other BRT lines. In May, Fairfax County chose a route through Tysons for the BRT line.

News

DASH and city leaders celebrate launch of bus system overhaul

By Vernon Miles

Published September 27, 2021 at 2:40PM

A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

If you ever feel bad about getting on the bus in Alexandria and realizing too late you’re on the wrong one, don’t fret. Apparently some of the people who run the city’s bus system do the same thing.

The new DASH bus network launched on Sept. 5, but city leaders and transit administrators met last week to celebrate.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 25, 2021 at 5:00AM

Local school systems face bus driver shortages, but say they’re ready to roll — “ACPS recognizes there is a national shortage of school bus drivers, making it challenging to recruit and fill bus driver positions. ACPS has about 90% of our drivers available and 100% of bus monitor positions filled…” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria recommends cooling centers during heatwave — “The next few days are going to be hot and humid. The City offers several locations as options to those without cooling in their homes, including rec centers and libraries, as well as assistance for adults 60+ and some low-income households. Learn more at alexandriava.gov/122602.” [Twitter]