The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and the Alexandria Transit Co./DASH have announced reductions in service as fewer people are expected to be commuting in the coming weeks due to the threat of coronavirus/COVID-19.
In Alexandria, DASH bus will start operating on an "enhanced Saturday" schedule starting Thursday, March 19. All of the regular DASH routes will run on Saturday schedules with a few extra buses on select routes.
WMATA, which runs Metrobus and Metrorail, announced it will be reducing service as well, starting Monday, March 16.
According to WMATA (more information is available here):
"Metro is reducing service beginning Monday, as follows:
Metrorail
- Monday-Friday: Trains will operate every 12 minutes on each line throughout the day. The rail system will maintain normal hours, opening at 5 a.m.
- Saturday: Trains will operate every 12 minutes on each line, with service from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. (normal Saturday service).
- Sunday: Trains will operate every 15 minutes on each line, with service from 8 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. (normal Sunday service).
Metrobus
- On weekdays, bus service will operate on a Saturday supplemental schedule. Weekend bus schedules are unchanged."
The Alexandria Transit Co. released the following information Friday evening:
Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 or novel coronavirus and is taking additional measures to slow the spread of the virus.
Beginning Thursday, March 19, DASH will operate on an “Enhanced Saturday” schedule weekdays in order to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 among our employees, riders and community.
- All regular DASH routes will run on Saturday schedule
- Additional trips will be provided on several routes to increase service frequencies, especially during weekday peak periods.
- No changes to service levels on weekends are anticipated at this time.
Full route and schedule information for the “Enhanced Saturday” operating plan will be posted on the DASH website no later than Tuesday, March 17.
DASH is also joining regional transit agencies and jurisdictions, by implementing telework for administrative employees whose job functions are non-essential. To further encourage social distancing and protect our essential personnel, large gatherings and public meetings are suspended on the premises, and visitors will not be permitted inside the DASH facility. These measures are in addition to intensive daily cleaning and disinfection processes already in effect on all DASH buses and throughout the DASH bus facility.
Alerts and updates will continue to be issued on www.dashbus.com. We encourage you to follow us on social media, subscribe for our e-mail updates (www.dashbus.com/dash-news) and check www.dash.com/covid19 for updates regarding service.
