The New DASH Network

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FY2022 Transit Development Plan & New DASH Network

SPANISH l AMHARIC

Beginning September 5, 2021, DASH
will be implementing the first phase of the Alexandria Transit Vision Plan, known as
the New DASH Network, which includes major route and service changes that will affect all DASH passengers.
It represents a reduced, cost-neutral version of the Final 2022 ATV Plan that was adopted by the ATC Board of
Directors in December 2019. The full recommendations and service increases that were included in the Final 2022
ATV Plan will be proposed incrementally in FY 2022 and FY 2023, as outlined in the
FY 2022 – FY 2027 Alexandria Transit Company TDP.

What is the New DASH
Network?

The New DASH Network is the first
major bus network redesign project the City of Alexandria has seen since the launch of the Alexandria Transit
Company in 1984. The network will provide access to high-frequency service with buses running every 15 minutes
or better, all day, seven days a week to 50,000 additional residents and nearly 25,000 additional jobs.

Key information about the FY2022 New
DASH Network:

The New DASH Network represents a
complete redesign of Alexandria’s bus network that is intended to meet current and future transit ridership
demand, and to encourage more people to use transit for more trips at more times of day. 

Which New Line Should You
Use?

To see which of these new lines
will be most useful based on your existing DASH route, please use the following route comparison table.

 

  • Neighborhood-Specific Information. For
    information on how the proposed service changes will affect transit riders in different parts of the
    City select a neighborhood from the list below. 
  • Metrobus
    Changes.
    As part of their FY 2022 service proposals, WMATA is proposing major changes to
    three existing Metrobus routes (7A/F, 25B, 28A) that will complement the New DASH Network changes.
    Information on Metrobus proposed changes that will affect DASH riders can be found on the WMATA website.
  • Frequent Network.
    The FY2022 New DASH Network includes a new frequent network which introduces frequent, all-day
    bus service on major transit corridors across the City of Alexandria.  Buses on these routes will be
    running every 15 minutes or less, all-day, seven days per week. Frequent, all-day service means buses
    arrive every 15 minutes or better from 6AM – 7PM on weekdays, and from 7AM – 6PM on weekends. Some lines
    will run with frequent service much earlier or later, but these periods represent the minimum for 15
    minute service. Areas served by the “Frequent Network” include the West End, Landmark, Parkfairfax,
    Arlandria, Potomac Yard, and Potomac Yard.
  • Transit
    Access.
    The proposed network changes will provide access to frequent, all-day transit to
    nearly 60,000 additional city residents.
    • The percentage of
      low-income residents who are within walking distance to frequent, all-day transit will increase
      from 29% to 73%.
    • The percentage of
      minority residents who are within walking distance to frequent, all-day transit will increase
      from 22% to 70%. 
    • The percentage of
      senior residents with access to frequent, all-day transit will increase from 23% to
      62%.
    • The New DASH
      Network also improves access to jobs; the percentage of jobs in Alexandria that are within
      walking distance of frequent, all-day transit will increase from 40% to 66%.
  • Service Coverage.
    Despite the major route and service changes, the New DASH Network maintains bus service in most
    areas such that 99.5% of existing bus boardings will still be within 1/8 mile of a bus stop in the New
    DASH Network in FY 2022.
  • King Street
    Trolley.
    The
    King Street Trolley will continue to operate in the FY 2022 New DASH
    Network; however, King Street Trolley service will not resume service until fall 2021 due to COVID-19,
    reduced tourism and city budget considerations.
  • I-95/395 Commuter
    Choice Grants.
    DASH has applied for FY 2022 funding for two major service enhancement
    projects that will improve service on
    Line 35 and
    Line 36
    through NVTC’s I-95/395 Commuter Choice program.  Project awards will not be announced until late
    Spring; however, early signs indicate that DASH has a strong chance to receive the funding for both
    projects.  Based on this assumption, the service enhancements for both projects are included in the New
    DASH Network proposals.

 

New DASH Network Frequency Map

New DASH Network

VIEW LARGER MAP

New DASH Network Frequency Map (Old Town)

To view the existing DASH network, click HERE.