DASH Taking 'Add Value' Option Off the Bus

The Alexandria Transit Company (ATC) Board of Directors approved the elimination of the “add value” option aboard DASH buses effective April 1, at its monthly Board meeting this week.

This initiative will make the DASH system the first in the region to take the process of adding value to a SmarTrip® card off of the bus. By eliminating the add value function on the bus, riders will experience a more convenient ride on DASH with less hassle, ease in boarding, and reliable departures and arrivals, according to DASH.

“The original goal of the SmarTrip® program was to speed boarding and reduce dwell times. Unfortunately, the onboard add value component has actually increased dwell times and negatively affected reliability and on-time performance,” stated Sandy Modell, DASH’s General Manager. “I believe that our riders overall will be pleased with this change.”

ATC plans to go where the riders are in order to make this initiative a success. Community outreach through informational transit fairs at Alexandria Metro Stations, transit centers, and bus stops will be a key component, along with, transit ambassadors who will be riding DASH buses to assist customers during the transition.

Riders can add value to the SmarTrip® Card:

• Online at www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip
• At any Metro Rail Station
• By using the SmarTrip App on a smartphone
• At the Alexandria Transit Store located across from the King Street Metro at 1775-C Duke Street
• At Alexandria CVS/Giant Locations
• At Commuter Stores

In addition to paying with your SmarTrip® Card to ride DASH, riders can always pay the $1.60 fare with cash or use DASH’s deeply discounted, money-saving monthly DASH Pass. The DASH Pass is good for unlimited rides on all DASH buses, on all routes, in any direction, for a full calendar month, and costs $40. The DASH Pass is available in electronic form for your SmarTrip® Card or in paper form. The DASH Pass provides a free, four-hour transfer. For details, visit www.dashbus.com/DASHPass.

PHOTO: DASH bus photo courtesy of DASH