[Archived] Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) Tests SmarTrip Fare Boxes

City Press Release


	For Immediate Release	For More Information, Contact
	October 24, 2006 PIO#	Anne M. Janeski, 703-370-3274 Ext. 614 Alexandria Transit System (DASH) anne.janeski@alexandriava.gov Raynard Owens, Communications Officer, at 703.838.4300

Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) Tests SmarTrip Fare Boxes

The Alexandria Transit Company has become the first local bus system in the region to test SmarTrip fare boxes in its popular DASH buses. The testing period will last for 30 days and will include an initial five buses to ensure that all aspects of the system are working properly. Once the test is completed, all 57 DASH buses will be equipped with the new SmarTrip fare boxes. Riders can expect to be able to start using the SmarTrip card on all DASH buses in early 2007.

Soon thereafter, passengers will be able to use their SmarTrip cards on other local systems, such as the Fairfax Connector, Arlington Transit, and OmniRide as well as on Metrobus and Metrorail and in Metro-operated parking lots.

SmarTrip was the nation's first smart card fare system when it was installed by Metro in 1999. It is now used by over 300,000 riders, with another 3,000 new users signing-on each week.