February 4 is Transit Equity Day, an initiative that commemorates the life and legacy of Rosa Parks while inspiring organizations to promote accessible, equitable, and just public transit initiatives and policies. Parks became a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement in 1955 when she refused to give up her seat on a segregated public transit bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
DASH strives to advance the values of Transit Equity Day each and every day by providing equitable access to reliable and safe public bus transit through its fare-free and frequent service. When DASH launched its new and redesigned network in 2021, roughly 60,000 residents gained access to frequent, all-day service, seven days a week. The service improvements were especially helpful in improving transit access to frequent bus service for senior, low-income, and minority residents.
“DASH has made groundbreaking strides improving transit access and equity in recent years,” said DASH CEO/General Manager, Josh Baker. “We recognize the transformative impact that our service can have on the quality of life for Alexandria’s most vulnerable communities. We see that as a core part of our identity and our purpose in helping to keep all of Alexandria moving forward.”
The elimination of fares on all DASH buses has been heralded throughout the region, removing one of the most significant barriers to transit access for disadvantaged and low-income communities. DASH looks forward to continuing to support transit equity throughout our community.