DASH bus | ALXnow

Amid school board safety concerns over student transport, DASH says it doesn’t ‘expressly prohibit’ hiring sex offenders

Published September 23, 2025 at 5:52PM | Updated September 24, 2025 at 6:03PM

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

UPDATE (Sept. 24, 2025): Following this reporting, DASH has placed both registered sex offenders on administrative leave. The transit agency said it is now assessing “the rigor of our recruitment standards” and confirmed that one of the employees is a bus driver, contradicting its initial statement Tuesday that no drivers were on the registry. DASH places 2 registered sex offenders on leave following ALXnow reporting

Following a discussion on the Alexandria School Board’s safety concerns about the proposal to transport Alexandria City High School students on DASH buses, ALXnow investigated the transit agency’s background check policies and discovered that it does not “expressly prohibit” sex offenders from employment.

News

DASH submits plan to construct electric bus charging station

By James Cullum

Published August 5, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated August 5, 2025 at 11:49AM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

DASH has submitted plans to the city to build a new electric bus charging station at a city impound lot next to the transit company’s headquarters at 3000 Business Center Drive.

The open canopy structure is part of DASH’s goal to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2035. The garage would allow for parking, maintenance, and storage for 24 electric buses, according to the special use permit filed with the city. The Planning Commission will review the submission at its meeting on Thursday, Sept. 4.

News

Alexandria City Council, School Board to discuss DASH transition, collective bargaining, and more during joint meeting

By James Cullum

Published July 14, 2025 at 1:30PM

School buses preparing at Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council and School Board have several big-picture items up for discussion early next month.

On Monday, August 4, the Joint City Council/School Board Subcommittee will discuss a proposal to put Alexandria City High School kids on DASH buses starting in fall 2026, collective bargaining with ACPS staff, and the school system’s Long-Range Educational Facilities Plan.

News

Here’s what’s open and closed in Alexandria on July 4

By James Cullum

Published July 1, 2025 at 1:30PM

A street lined with American flags in Old Town, Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s government offices will be closed on Friday, July 4, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t have a good time.

Here’s what you need to know about city services on Independence Day.

News

City staff want Alexandria City High School kids on DASH buses starting in fall 2026

By James Cullum

Published June 20, 2025 at 11:15AM

School buses on W. Braddock Road on Dec. 10, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

City staff are recommending a phased transition to replace school buses for Alexandria City High School students with DASH buses.

The City Council asked staff in January to consider the transition for ACHS, Virginia’s largest high school with multiple campuses and over 4,500 students. Staff have returned with the recommendation for a three-phase approach that would kick off in the fall of the 2026-2027 school year.

News

Alexandria City Council passes $956.5 million FY 2026 Budget amid ‘time of great uncertainty’

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2025 at 9:05PM

Alexandria City Council approves the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, April 30, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty, Alexandria’s City Council unanimously adopted its $956.5 million operating budget.

City Manager Jim Parajon said it was challenging crafting a budget that keeps city services without increasing real estate or property taxes. The city’s budget grew 3.2% over the current fiscal year, with its largest line item being a fully-funded Alexandria City Public Schools, as well as significant stormwater management funding for the city’s $2.1 billion FY 2026 – 2035 Capital Improvement Program.

News

DASH wants public input on bus expansion into Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2025 at 2:30PM | Updated March 21, 2025 at 12:19PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

Alexandria’s DASH bus system wants to expand its free service into the city’s Arlandria neighborhood.

The proposed changes are included in an update of the transit system’s 10-year strategic plan, now in its community review process until April 18. The public feedback on four alternatives will be reviewed by the DASH board of directors on May 14.

News

JUST IN: Man assaulted and robbed of shoes on DASH Bus in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published March 18, 2025 at 5:33PM

Three men are in custody after allegedly assaulting a man and stealing his shoes on a DASH bus this afternoon (Tuesday) in Alexandria’s West End.

The Alexandria Police Department confirmed that three adult males were arrested in the incident. A DASH bus driver called in a fight in the bus between multiple males at around 2:20 p.m. in the 2500 block of N. Van Dorn Street.

News

DASH removes bus and trolley stops on King Street in bid to boost reliability

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2025 at 11:15AM

King Street Trolley in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s DASH bus network is hoping that cutting half a dozen bus stops along King Street — as well as adding two others — can help make the bus and King Street Trolley lines that travel along the street more reliable and help reduce traffic congestion.

In a release, DASH said the new changes were implemented effective yesterday (Sunday).

Opinion

Poll: Do you support using DASH instead of school buses to transport Alexandria high school students?

By Vernon Miles

Published January 22, 2025 at 1:50PM | Updated January 22, 2025 at 2:48PM

A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

At a City Council meeting last week, City Council member Abdel Elnoubi and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley introduced a proposal that could change the way Alexandria City High School students get to school.

Elnoubi and Bagley, with the unanimous backing of the City Council, asked staff to explore the utilization of the DASH bus network to transport for high school students, eliminating the need for school buses at the high school level.

News

There’s plenty of free transportation options this New Year’s in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published December 31, 2024 at 1:30PM

First Night Alexandria (photo via First Night Alexandria/Facebook)

Put the car keys away, because there’s a number of free transportation options for partiers this New Year’s Eve in Alexandria.

Metro trains and buses throughout the region are operating fare-free from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.