The Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) and the City of Alexandria are pleased to announce the start of construction on our Facility Expansion Project, a major infrastructure investment that will expand our operational capacity, accommodate fleet growth, and reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and environmental leadership.
The expansion, funded through a combination of state and regional resources, including part of an $11 million Smart Scale grant award from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and additional support from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA), will provide much-needed space to accommodate DASH’s growing fleet and electric vehicle infrastructure.
To commemorate the start of construction, DASH hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, October 30, 2025. The event brought together city officials, state and regional transportation leaders, and community stakeholders to celebrate the future of public transit in Alexandria. Guest speakers included DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson, NVTA CEO Monica Backmon, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, DASH Board Vice Chair Jesse O’Connell, and DASH General Manager & CEO Josh Baker.
“Breaking ground on this facility marks a major milestone in DASH’s history,” said General Manager and CEO Josh Baker. “This expansion enables us to grow our fleet, support zero-emission technologies, deliver a better service for our community, and prepare for both the opportunities and challenges ahead. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the support of our partners who helped make this vision a reality.”
“We’re proud to continue investing in Alexandria’s future through DASH.” said Mayor Alyia Gaskins “This new facility underscores our commitment to achieving our Eco-City goals, supporting our community with fare-free transit, and expanding safe, sustainable transportation options for both residents and visitors.”
Being constructed directly west of our existing operations and maintenance facility on Business Center Drive, once complete, the new facility will support the storage and maintenance of up to 30 additional buses and include infrastructure for up to 24 future overhead pantograph electric bus chargers.
The project also includes foundational engineering to accommodate the potential future for solar panel arrays and battery energy storage systems, enabling DASH to integrate clean energy and microgrid technologies as it advances its zero emissions goals.
DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson & NVTA CEO Monic Backmon emphasized the role of regional collaboration:
“DRPT is extremely proud to be a partner in this project,” said DRPT Director Tiffany Robinson. “This investment in vital infrastructure today will yield significant returns tomorrow for commuters, families, businesses, and the city as a whole.”
“This project is a key example of what can be accomplished through regional collaboration and partnership,” said NVTA CEO Monica Backmon. “By investing in this type of infrastructure, we’re supporting more travel options and improving the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and travels in Northern Virginia.”
Since the City of Alexandria and DASH adopted a goal in 2019 to transition the DASH fleet to 100% zero-emissions vehicles, we’ve made substantial progress. To date, DASH has deployed 16 battery electric buses, with another 20 electric buses funded and currently in procurement. NVTA’s contribution to the expansion project includes funding for eight of these electric buses, as well as the infrastructure necessary to charge and maintain them.
With construction now officially underway, the expanded facility is expected to be complete by early 2027. Once operational, it will support our growing fleet and enable us to continue offering the fare-free service that our community depends on.
As Alexandria continues to grow and evolve, DASH remains focused on delivering reliable, sustainable, and innovative transit solutions that improve quality of life, reduce emissions, and keep Alexandria moving forward.
About DASH:
DASH is a fare-free public transit system providing safe, reliable, and convenient bus services throughout the City of Alexandria, Virginia. It offers eco-friendly, accessible transportation that helps reduce traffic congestion and enhances the quality of life for residents, commuters, and visitors.
In addition to its local routes, DASH plays a critical role in the broader transportation network by partnering with regional transportation agencies, including Metrobus, Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), and other bus systems to connect Alexandria to the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
About the Virginia Department of Rain & Public Transportation (DRPT):
DRPT is Virginia’s advocate for promoting, supporting, and enhancing rail and transit options to the Commonwealth. DRPT’s mission is to connect and improve the quality of life with innovative transportation solutions. To learn more about DRPT, visit https://drpt.virginia.gov/.
About the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA):
NVTA is a regional transportation organization committed to planning, prioritizing and funding multimodal projects that reduce congestion and enhance connectivity. We develop Northern Virginia’s long-range transportation plan and invest in projects that improve mobility and provide travel options. To learn more about NVTA, visit https://thenovaauthority.org/.
About the City of Alexandria:
To learn more about the City of Alexandria, visit alexandriava.gov or follow us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.