DASH board advances $2.5 million service-cut plan, rejects deeper cuts to repay city

Updated 7:30 a.m. Oct. 15: This story has been updated with background on the fiscal 2026 overrun.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The DASH board voted 7-4 Wednesday to send a $2.5 million package of service cuts to public outreach and a Nov. 12 hearing, choosing not to pursue a larger package that would have eliminated three bus lines to repay the city $1 million.

The package would end Line 31 service in Old Town between the King Street and Braddock Road Metro stations, cut Line 30 back from Van Dorn Metro to the West Alexandria Transit Center, reroute Lines 33 and 34 in Potomac Yard with hourly service outside rush hours, and drop midday service on Line 102. No line would be eliminated. The changes would take effect Jan. 31 if the board confirms them next month.

“No one desires service cuts,” said Vice Chair Jesse O’Connell, who made the motion. He called the smaller package “much more palatable for the impact on riders” and said eliminating lines carried “the only equity scores that are 15 out of 16.”