As people return to their offices, slowly, more commuters are opting to take the bus there — especially now that it's free to do so in Alexandria.
The Alexandria Transit Company (ATC), which operates the DASH bus and King Street Trolley services, eliminated fares in September 2021, making the system free for all riders.
A report from the first year of free bus service reveals that average daily ridership has increased significantly. While the free fares may be an incentive for ridership, a post-pandemic return to more 'normal' commuting patterns is also a factor.
According to the report:
- In September 2022, DASH recorded over 380,000 boardings, the highest ridership in a single month since 2015; establishing DASH as one of the few transit agencies in the region that have returned to - and surpassed - pre-COVID ridership levels.
- Recent customer survey data indicates that free fares and increased service frequency from the bus network redesign have been the two biggest factors influencing historic ridership growth. Among low-income riders, more than 80% reported riding DASH more due to free fares.
- Additional funding from the Alexandria City subsidy and a state grant award from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) have combined to offset the lost fare revenues during the program’s first year.
- Some cost savings have been identified via the elimination of costs associated with fare collection and the cancellation of a $5 million capital project to replace the obsolete farebox equipment, which previously exceeded useful life.
The full report is available at dashbus.com/free.
“We are ecstatic to see the significant benefits fare-free transit is providing our community. Not in over seven years have we seen this magnitude of ridership increases, all while the Federal Workforce remains in a primarily hybrid/remote work environment. We are immensely proud of the success of this program, one that is only possible due to the support of the Alexandria City Council and the Commonwealth of Virginia” said Josh Baker, DASH’s CEO & General Manager. “It is our hope that our success may be a framework for other transit systems considering similar programs.”
DASH eliminated passenger fare collection in September 2021, coinciding with the debut of its completely redesigned New DASH Network; a network redesign focused on more frequent, all-day service throughout the City. The fare-free policy was intended to make the network’s much more frequent and useful service more accessible to historically disadvantaged riders who often carry the heaviest burden from transit fares.
The District of Columbia allows children to ride for free on Metrobus, Metrorail and the Circulator system. The D.C. Council is considering making all buses free to use.
