In September 2021, DASH eliminated fare collection on all DASH buses. This policy was made possible with the support of the Alexandria City Council. The intention of the policy was to encourage bus ridership, promote the New DASH Network, and alleviate a major financial burden for many low-income riders still recovering from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More recently, the City of Alexandria was awarded $7.2 million in state grant funding to offset the cost of lost passenger fare revenues over the next three years through the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP), which is managed by the Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transit (DRPT).

Fare-Free Program Documents

DASH Fare-Free Framework Policy – Adopted by ATC Board of Directors on September 8, 2021
DASH Fare-Free Program Report – Presented to ATC Board of Directors on December 14, 2022
DASH Fare-Free Program Report– Presented to ATC Board of Directors on April 10, 2024