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Our goal is to make every ride safe, comfortable, and welcoming for every person who steps aboard one of our buses.
Public transit works best when everyone does their part. By treating your fellow riders with respect, following a few guidelines, and listening to the directions of bus operators and supervisors, you help create a positive experience for yourself and others.
This Code of Conduct is here to help you DASH with confidence by outlining what you can expect from us, and what’s expected of our riders. By choosing to ride with us, you agree to follow these guidelines so we can all enjoy a safe, clean, and reliable trip.
In the Code of Conduct, you’ll find:
Our top priority is the safety and security of our riders and employees! While our bus operators and staff work hard to monitor conditions around the clock, we can’t always see or be present for every incident as it happens. That’s why we count on riders like you to be our eyes and ears out in the community.
If you witness any of the following, please report it right away:
Our Customer Service team is available Mon – Fri, from 7 AM to 7 PM, to assist riders or log incidents, complaints, or commendations to be brought to the attention of DASH.
Our Customer Service form is available 24/7 to log non-urgent incidents, complaints, or commendations to be brought to the attention of DASH.
Our SafeRide app is available 24/7 to alert our Operations team of serious, urgent incidents needing immediate attention or assistance from DASH or local emergency services.
DASH reserves the right to refuse service to any rider found in violation of our Code of Conduct, or for otherwise posing a safety risk to themselves or others.
To help maintain a safe and secure environment, all DASH buses are equipped with audio and video recording systems that operate whenever buses are in service. Recordings may be reviewed as part of an investigation or in response to a reported safety or security concern.
Operators may stop the bus or temporarily delay service when necessary to address a safety concern, manage a disruptive situation, or wait for assistance.
All Code of Conduct violations are reported to DASH administration and may be documented for follow-up. Depending on the nature and circumstances of a violation, consequences may include a warning, removal from the bus, denial of future service, or referral to law enforcement.
DASH reserves the right to modify and amend this Code of Conduct at any time.
Find answers and general information based on frequently asked questions. Select a question to view more information.
DASH is 100% fare-free, so riding the bus is as simple and accessible as it gets. There’s no need to carry cash, purchase a pass, or use a SmarTrip card or other payment method. Just hop on and enjoy the ride.
DASH does not require anyone to have a SmarTrip card, cash, or any other form of payment to ride the bus. All of our buses are free to ride, including the King Street Trolley. Just hop on and enjoy the ride.
Buses are one of the safest ways to get around. In fact, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that “the fatality rate for people traveling by car was 23 times higher than for bus passengers, per 100 million person-trips.” In other words, riding the bus is significantly safer than driving a car.
We also take several steps behind the scenes to help keep everyone safe and address concerns when they arise, including:
If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe while riding, there are several ways to report it. You can call Customer Service, submit a form, use our SafeRide web app, or let the operator know what is happening.
While operators are not expected to personally intervene in these situations, they can notify our Operations and Customer Service teams so they can investigate and/or escalate the situation as needed.
Most of DASH’s service stays within the City of Alexandria, with only two stops out of more than 500 located outside city limits: Pentagon Transit Center and Shirlington Station.
Even though our service is primarily local, DASH makes it easy to connect to transit options throughout the region. Riders can transfer to MetroBus, Metrorail, Amtrak, Virginia Railway Express (VRE), Arlington Transit (ART), Fairfax Connector, and OmniRide, enabling access to destinations across the DMV and beyond.
DASH schedules are free and easy to access online or throughout the community. Full ride guides are available on buses near the operator, at the Visitor Center, libraries, community and recreation centers, apartment complexes, and other locations around Alexandria. You can also visit our Schedules and Maps page to view schedules, maps, or download a PDF for a specific line.
There are several easy ways to plan a trip with DASH. You can use our DASH Tracker web app, pick up a physical ride guide with all of our schedules, or visit our Schedules and Maps page to view individual line schedules and maps online. You can also use popular third-party trip-planning apps, including Transit, Citymapper, Google Maps, and Apple Maps.
If you’re using one of our schedules, they are organized as tables, with key timepoints shown as column headers and bus times listed in the rows. To estimate when the bus will arrive at your stop:
When you’re ready to catch the bus, wait at a designated DASH bus stop. Most lines have stops every couple of blocks in more populated areas and about every 3 to 4 blocks along less dense corridors.
If you’re waiting at a bus shelter, step outside as the bus approaches so the operator can easily see that you’re waiting to board. For your safety, stay a safe distance from the curb and wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before approaching the doors. If you have a stroller, mobility device, shopping cart, or scooter, you may ask the operator to lower the ramp for easier boarding.
As the bus approaches, check the destination signs, with one on the front of the bus near the top and another along the side near the front door. Always confirm the route number and destination before boarding to make sure you’re getting on the right bus.
It’s also important to confirm the direction of travel. Bus stop signs identify the lines that serve the stop and the endpoints, while the bus’s destination signs display the line’s endpoint with a “via” street to help you determine which direction the bus is traveling.
If you’re ever unsure, feel free to ask the operator for assistance before you board and sit down.
You can let the operator know you’d like to get off at the next stop by pulling the yellow cord located along either side of the bus near the windows or by pressing the stop button near the priority and accessible seating areas. You only need to signal once.
For your safety, remain seated or hold on until the bus comes to a complete stop. When the doors open, exit through the nearest available door. If you need to cross the street after getting off, wait until the bus has passed.
You can transfer to another DASH line or a different transit service anywhere two routes or modes of transportation connect. Simply exit the bus and wait at the appropriate stop or station for your next bus or train.
Before you travel, check both schedules or services to make sure your connection works. Depending on the transfer, you may need to wait for your connecting service to arrive.
While DASH is fare-free, other transit agencies likely charge a fare. Be sure to check their payment and fare requirements before transferring.
DASH runs a slightly reduced service on weekends. While most lines continue to operate, our commuter services (lines 102, 103, and 104) do not operate on Saturdays or Sundays.
If you’re planning a weekend trip, be sure to check the current schedule for your line before heading out. You can also use the DASH Tracker, our Schedules and Maps page, or third-party apps to help plan your trip.
DASH runs Saturday-Sunday service on all of the following observed holidays:
*If any of these holidays fall on a weekend, we will operate Saturday-Sunday service on the observed weekday instead.
[For example, if Independence Day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the Saturday-Sunday schedule will be in effect on either Monday or Friday, depending on which day it is officially observed.]
DASH updates service at least three times a year to keep schedules and lines working well for our riders and operators. These updates give us an opportunity to make changes based on several factors, including traffic patterns, ridership, available funding, and operator scheduling needs.
Service changes may include adjustments to lines, bus stops, schedules, operating times, and much more. By regularly reviewing and updating our service, we’re able to adapt to and meet changing community needs.
All DASH buses are equipped with bike racks, making it easy to bring your bicycle along for your trip. Bicycles are not permitted inside the bus and must be secured in the exterior bike rack. If you’re new to using the bike racks, you can ask the operator for guidance or watch our available How to Bike and DASH videos for step-by-step instructions.
Scooters are also welcome onboard. Scooters must be powered off and stored in the accessible seating area near the front of the bus, unless they are small enough to be folded and safely stored without blocking the aisle or seating areas.
Lost something on a DASH bus or trolley? Call 703-746-3274 or make a form submission as soon as possible. Our Customer Service team can check whether your item has been turned in and help you schedule an appointment to pick it up. Appointments are available Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
Found something on a DASH bus or trolley? Please give the item to the operator as soon as possible so it can be turned in to Lost and Found.
Keep in mind that items found during the day may not reach our facility until the vehicle finishes its service, so it can take up to a day for an item to appear in our system. Lost items are held for up to 15 days, so please contact us as soon as possible.
DASH is always looking for incredible people to join our team. We offer a wide range of career opportunities, including administration, leadership, bus operations, maintenance, customer service, and more.
All of our employees play important roles in helping keep Alexandria moving by providing safe, free, and reliable service for our riders and the community. If you’re interested in joining the team, visit our Careers page to see current job openings, learn about our benefits, and find out how to apply.
