Staffing Shortage Prompts DASH To Reduce Service In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA — DASH, the bus system serving Alexandria, plans to reduce service in response to a staffing shortage.

DASH attributed the shortage to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, made worse by the spread of the more-contagious delta and omicron variants. Other transit agencies and employers around the U.S. face similar difficulties as employees test positive for the virus.

"This service adjustment is necessary for the safety of our employees, passengers and the public," said DASH General Manager Josh Baker. "It also ensures that our riders can count on published service schedules amid these dynamic and evolving circumstances. We thank our passengers for their patience and encourage using all available DASH resources to plan ahead."

Starting Monday, Jan. 3, weekday DASH service will be changed to an enhanced Saturday schedule will adjust service levels to an enhanced Saturday schedule "to maintain service reliability until further notice," according to the Alexandria Transit Company. Lines 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36A/B will operate on regular Saturday schedules on weekdays. Lines 102, 103 and 104 will continue to run on regular weekday schedules. Weekend service will not be changed.

DASH also temporarily closed its offices and facility to the public due to COVID-19 case increases tied to the omicron variant. To reach out about picking up lost items when the facility reopens, call customer service at 703-746-3274.

Service levels will be reevaluated by DASH each week. Updates will be provided as they become available. Updates will be provided at dashbus.com/dash-alerts.