DASH-Alexandria Transit

I have to second the 2014 review regarding their charter service. Why have information out there but then not follow up on potential business? We technically live in Alexandria-​Fairfax County but take the DASH AT7 on Eisenhower Ave to work every day. We sent in the PDF request and still had to follow up via email and phone calls. It was after chasing a bit we were then told they don’t do trips outside Alexandria City (useful information to list on the website). Also, apparently they had a bad experience with a job in Maryland (!) and now insist on Alexandria-​City only trips because otherwise the drivers get lost.
Hello, Alexandria-​Fairfax County 4 miles outside your jurisdiction is not Maryland but whatever. I don’t have another option for my commute but they really should remove the charter option from their website if it’s not really going to be an option.

Usually on point until today. 6:04pm at Van Dorn (next AT8 6:06) no show or left early. 6:24 AT8 rolls in (scheduled to leave 6:26) nope. 30 degrees outside, driver decides to take a leisurely cigarette/​cell phone break until 6:31 leaving us all who have been standing outside for 25+ minutes for a few more minutes past departure time. Get it together Dash!

Unlike the Metro, I’ve found the DASH busses to be very reliable. They were almost always on time, and the one time it was late it was only by a few minutes. The drivers are very friendly and I like that I can use my SmarTrip card (as opposed to having some separate pass to worry about). The busses aren’t the newest, but they are clean. They are a great way to get around Alexandria!

I stood waiting as the Dash bus approached, but no, he didn’t stop. Didn’t even look in my direction, even as I waved my arms at him. You’d think he stole the bus and wasn’t the real driver. So I complained to Dash. 3 days and counting, no response of any kind to my complaint.
I see Dash is run by a CEO called «Sandy Modell.» She approves of a non-​response to a complaint from a resident? Who pays for her salary and the Dash service? Could it be residents such as myself? The buck has to stop at «Sandy Modell’s» desk. Maybe she isn’t up to the job and she needs to be replaced by someone who takes customer complaints seriously. «Sandy Modell» sets the tone for the entire organization. And it’s a flat note.

We were told that Dash had a great Charter Service, and after looking into it, it was VERY affordable for us to use for our wedding as we can’t afford the main services, and thought Dash would be a great alternative.
Here’s the thing though: they apparently don’t want any business. I contacted them by email as they request, and for a month did not hear anything back. I was OK with this though as the wedding was still much later in the year and I was busy travelling for work. When I got home from my trips, I contacted them again, this time by phone, nothing. I contacted the wedding coordinator for our site (who recommended them) — and she was shocked, and said she would try to find out what was going on. Two days later, the coordinator gave us a name and phone number, and 5 minutes after that, that individual at Dash emailed us So we started the process again, and again, this person showed disinterest. Promised something by COB, nothing. The following week I called, no response. The following week I emailed, and the response was «I’m sorry but I get 100’s of emails a day and yours slipped through. Do you still want a quote?» By this point in time, I was very wary, especially after hearing from a friend that she had been a part of a group that was using Dash Charter… or trying to use Dash Charter but the busses never showed up for them. So I said «yes, I’d still like a quote» and was told, again, end of the day. That was 3 weeks ago.
Long story short– Dash may be great to ride around town, but if you’re thinking of using them for a charter, be very wary.

For the most part, DASH buses are on-​time. Drivers tend to be friendly and courteous. Love that you can use the Smartpass — just wish it was mandatory! Buses seem to be well taken care of and tend to be pretty clean, which is nice.

DASH is a great service here in Alexandria. Their buses take the Metro SmarTrip Cards, which means you get free transfers to basically any other bus in the region. I haven’t had any problems with the drivers, who, in my experience are very courteous and helpful in general. The buses tend to be pretty clean, and tend to go where I want/​need to go. I end up taking them to work on days that I don’t wake up in time for my shuttle, which will probably be tomorrow.
The only thing keeping DASH from getting a 5, is that the routes, in general make little to no sense, and do not compliment the metro bus service that runs nearly parallel routes in places. I’ve seen Metro and Dash running down Duke street at virtually the same time, almost like it’s one of those extra long, articulated buses.
They are also, like most of the mass transit operators, making budget cuts, and are cutting service.

I *heart* DASH.
If you have a Smartpass, you can use DASH — all their buses take Smartpass. DASH will take you downtown to Old Town, to the restaurants of Mt. Vernon Ave, to the Potomac Yards shopping center/​movie theatre and to a couple of libraries. And if you have friends who live in Alexandria — it’ll probably take you to their places too.
Takes me to and fro work reliably nearly every day. The buses are consistent and on time (for the most part). The buses can run late at the end of a route during rush hour, but otherwise, I could set my clock by them. I’ve never had a bus break down on me (which seemed to happen frequently with the mbta).
Aside from the reliability and consistency, one of the best parts of using DASH is how friendly the drivers are. They greet me when I enter and wish me well when I leave the bus. I’ve been using DASH for so long now I feel like drivers on my route are part of my life. I’ve comfortably instructed people visiting me to use the bus without me and the bus drivers have always helped them out.
The other day, I missed the bus and stood outside my apartment watching the bus drive to the next stop. But it didn’t go by: the driver stopped the bus in front of me (where there is no official stop), opened the door and said «I know that look: Sista done gone something wrong.» He went out of his way to let me on so that I wouldn’t miss the bus. «Must be nice to sleep in,» he joked with me as I walked to my seat. Totally made my day!
DASH also gave me a reflective cover for my Smartpass. The cover helps me to be seen at the less lighted stops when it is dark. The drivers usually say it looks like a headlight. This comes in especially handy for the WMATA bus too.
Next month DASH celebrates its 25^th Birthday and if you wear your «I *heart* DASH» pin on March 11, you can ride the bus free all day long. I wear my pin every day just cuz.

I’ve only taken the DASH twice and they would’ve received a decent rating if their drivers didn’t have the same customer service issues WMATA has. I needed a microwave since the place I moved into didn’t have one. With the assistance of craigslist, I managed to secure a microwave in old town Alexandria. The bus driver didn’t want me to get on with the microwave and proceeded to belittle me. I’ve seen people carrying larger objects on the bus requiring 2 – 3 people to carry a stereo system. Unfortunately, it seems as if the transit systems in the DC area are catered to your middle and upper class people since people give you funny looks when you bring a microwave on the bus. SF’s MUNI and NYC at least have real people that commute for their lifestyle not just work.

Caught a late night Old Downtown bound #8 from King Street Metro. My driver was the best… very helpful to a gal from out of town trying to get as close to her hotel in the safest transit mode.
Gotta love public transit… the whole trip (including my Metro ride into D.C.)…less than $ 5!