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DASH ridership rebounds after route redesign; city pilots raised boarding platform, plans stop upgrades
Summary
After a 2023 route redesign and 2024 service expansion to seven days a week, DASH ridership has rebounded; the Rapid and Mobile GR reported ridership above pre-pandemic levels for March 2025, fleet upgrades including new 35-foot CNG buses, a pilot raised platform on Division and a bus-stop improvement program targeting about 40 sites.
Rapid and Mobile GR staff reported that changes to the DASH downtown circulator and a shift to seven-day service produced strong ridership gains and have led to a series of operational and stop-improvement initiatives.
Presenters said the DASH redesign (DASH 3) and the later expansion to seven-day service produced a sustained increase in ridership. Staff told the commission that, controlling for operating-day changes, average daily ridership rose and that in March 2025 DASH recorded more than 40,000 rides in the month — the highest monthly total since before the pandemic. Staff also reported weekday average daily boardings near 2,000 on DASH since the service change.
Fleet changes include retirement of aging 2011 diesel 29-foot buses and delivery of two new 35-foot compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in late 2024; staff said CNG/RNG vehicles are part of an interim strategy while evaluating larger zero-emission vehicle purchases. Separately, staff said the agency purchased 12 battery-electric paratransit/demand-response vehicles currently in service.
Staff described interior changes (swap from upholstered seats to molded plastic seats for ease of cleaning and branding), community events using DASH as a platform for arts and culture, and a social-media push that produced significant online engagement. The Rapid and Mobile GR plan an onboard intercept survey in May and June seeking about 250 DASH riders to gather trip purpose, frequency, safety perceptions and first-mile/last-mile modal use.
A multi-year bus-stop improvement program targets roughly 40 sites citywide with shelters, benches, concrete pads, solar lighting and other amenities; staff highlighted a pilot modular raised platform (Zeekla) installed on Division north of Weston Street. Staff said the raised platform brings the curb to the travel lane without immediate roadway reconstruction, improves bus operations and creates safer boarding conditions, and will be finished with planters and seating.
Commissioners raised concerns about bicyclist interactions at raised platforms and bulb-outs, noting some pilot conditions lack ramped transitions for bikes. Staff said they have deployed Zeekla platforms in contexts that accommodate bike ramps and that final street reconstructions would consider bicycle access.
Operational points under discussion: DASH currently runs at 15-minute frequency; staff are exploring a 10-minute frequency but said that requires additional budget and operators. Commissioners also discussed real-time passenger information at stops; staff said the software exists but installing hardware signage is a capital expense requiring fiber and costly displays.
