West End Buses Get New Look and Improved Service

Alexandria, VA – DASH riders in Alexandria’s West End will begin seeing specially-branded AT-1 Plus buses on the route this week.

The new look is part of a series of improvements to the existing DASH AT-1 route, which runs between Van Dorn Metro and Seminary Plaza via Landmark Mall, Lincolnia, Mark Center and Southern Towers.

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Improved Services

The new AT-1 Plus includes improved service frequency, longer hours of operation, specially branded buses and additional real-time bus arrival displays.

The improvements are the next step in the City of Alexandria’s long-term plan to introduce bus rapid transit (BRT) service from the West End to the Pentagon along the West End Transitway.

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The new AT-1 Plus service includes 10-minute peak headways and extended hours during evenings and weekends along the existing AT-1 route, one of DASH’s most popular routes.

Funding Comes from $5 Million in Grants

Funding for the additional service and new passenger amenities is provided through the Commuter Choice program on the I-395/95 corridor, which is administered by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) in partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Through this partnership, a portion of the toll revenues from the 395 Express Lanes are reinvested locally by funding transit service and other multimodal projects along two expressway corridors, I-66 and I-395/95.

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DASH was awarded two Commuter Choice grants that will cover over $5 million in capital and operating expenses for FY 2020-2021.

Aside from the AT-1 Plus improvements noted above, DASH was also able to secure program funding for major service improvements on the AT-9 in northern Alexandria, including 20-minute peak headways and new Sunday service.