Summer Metro Shutdown: 8 Alternatives To Consider In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—If you haven't nailed down how you will get around during the summer Metro shutdown, there are plenty of alternatives to consider. The Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield stations will be closed from May 25 to Sept. 8.

We've rounded up alternative transportation options for Alexandria residents below.

1. Shuttles

The closest thing to riding Metrorail will be the free shuttle buses provided by Metro and DASH. A Blue Line shuttle will serve Reagan National Airport, King Street, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield but not Braddock Road. A Yellow Line shuttle will serve Crystal City, Braddock Road, King Street, Eisenhower Avenue and Huntington but not National Airport. There will be an express shuttle from Landmark Mall to the Pentagon. See maps of shuttle routes here.

2. Metrobus

There are several bus routes with stops in Alexandria. Metroway has limited stops between Braddock Road and Pentagon City. The 8z route has stops between Quaker Lane and Pentagon station, and 21a has stops between Landmark Mall and Pentagon. The 10a bus between Huntington and Pentagon runs through Old Town and Del Ray. The 11y Mount Vernon express line has several stops in Alexandria with increased peak travel service. See all bus options from Metro here.

3. DASH Bus

DASH will provide enhanced AT3 and AT4 service during the shutdown. Buses will navigate through traffic more quickly through methods like HOV changes on Washington Street, transit signal priority on Route 1 and a bus travel lane on the Capital Beltway shoulder. Fares are $1.75, but riders can receive $1 fares by purchasing with the DASH Bus app. See the enhanced DASH service routes here.

4. Virginia Railway Express

The weekday commuter rail service has stops in Alexandria, Crystal City, L'Enfant Plaza and Union Station on the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines. The Franconia-Springfield stop is on the Fredericksburg line. To see schedules and fares, visit www.vre.org.

5. Carpooling

If you need to drive on Interstate 395 when HOV-3 restrictions are in effect, try carpooling. You can connect with other carpoolers through Commuter Connections or join a slug line.

6. Water taxi

You can avoid traffic with a scenic water taxi commute on the Potomac River. Round-trip $10 water taxi passes will be available starting May 28 through Sept. 8. Potomac Riverboat Company will add four extra weekday water taxi trips from Old Town Alexandria to the Wharf DC between 6:40 a.m. and 9 a.m. If you need to get to the waterfront, the free King Street Trolley will begin operating at 7 a.m. on weekdays. Buy water taxi passes and see schedules at www.potomacriverboatco.com/commuter-passes.

7. Ridesharing

There are various ridesharing options in the DC region, from Uber and Lyft to traditional taxi services. Ridesharing service Via has also expanded to Alexandria in time for the shutdown. It also serves Arlington County and DC.

8. Shared mobility devices

If you haven't tried bikes or scooters sharing programs, the shutdown gives you a reason to. Capital Bikeshare allows you to rent bikes and return them to any of its docks. The bikesharing service has docks in Alexandria, Arlington County, DC, Falls Church, Fairfax County, Montgomery County and Prince George's County. Lyft, which now operates Capital Bikeshare, is offering half-priced monthly memberships through the shutdown. The $14 monthly membership allows unlimited 30-minute rides.

The city's mobility device pilot program allows dockless scooters to be rented and parked Alexandria. Scooters are available for rent through individual companies' apps. You can ride scooters and park them in Alexandria, Arlington County, DC and Montgomery County.