Type: Public

Union Representation: Not Unionized

Fleet Size: 110 Low Floor Transit Buses

Routes: 12

Manufacturer And Powerplant: Because of the medium sized nature of the service, DASH procures medium and light duty transit buses at a lower cost instead of buying more expensive models with too many features. In addition, the City of Alexandria is old and has many tight narrow one way streets which require DASH to use smaller buses typically 35 feet long instead of the traditional 40. Historically most buses were procured from Orion. DASH purchased the Orion V from 1999 to 2007 when the contract was given to Gillig which specializes in Medium Duty Transit Vehicles. With the beginning of the contract with Gillig, all new DASH buses are Diesel Electric Hybrids.

Fare Collection: The Contactless Card Payment System in Alexandria is known as SmarTrip. Because Alexandria is also serviced by WMATA, DASH elected to join WMATA's Fare Structure and as such uses the SmarTrip Card for Fare Collection. It is used by various Transit Agencies in the DC, Maryland and Virginia area.

Livery: DASH vehicles are quickly identified by their smart Blue, White and Yellow paint schemes which on older Orion V models hosted a layered strip effect. On newer Gillig models, swooshes and swirling themes are found. DASH operates a service known as the King Street Trolley which travels on the street after which it is named. King Street is the "Main Street" of Alexandria and King Street Trolleys are painted in a traditional Red and Gold theme. The King Street Trolley is also a free service. On the celebration of its 40th Anniversary, a DASH Orion V was stripped of its livery and given a white base coat. Children were invited to come and finger paint the bus and celebrate at a party hosted by DASH.

Innovations: Uniquely DASH began service in the mid 1980's after the City of Alexandria had a terrible spate of drunk driving accidents which prompted the city to offer a bus service and brought on the unique name for the agency. DASH has grown larger than the original 18 bus fleet that first served the city. Also unique is the way the agency is operated. Many cities contract their bus service to a private operator. DASH is operated by a Non-Profit organization called the Alexandria Transit Company which is wholly owned by the city, keeping the service within the public option.