Ride The Bus, Decorate Your Custard

It's no secret that riding the bus is a cheaper alternative to commuting in your car. This month, it can also give you a free topping on your frozen custard.

Alexandria's Local Motion program will be handing out 25 free DASH bus passes in front of the Old Town Transit Shop across from the King Street Metro Station on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. There will also be free coffee and other giveaways.

Even if visitors miss out on the free DASH passes, which offer unlimited rides for a month at a cost of $35, they will also be available for purchase.

The promotion kicks off a larger program where pass holders can get discounts at several Alexandria businesses during the month of October. All holders need to do is just by flash their DASH passes at the register.

"DASH is a convenient way to get around the entire city," said Gabriel Ortiz, Alexandria's transit demand management coordinator. "It's a great deal, it's discounted and you can use it anytime. … This is just a great program to promote local businesses as well as DASH."

The Dairy Godmother is the lone Del Ray business participating in the program. By showing a DASH pass, customers receive one free topping.

Other Alexandria businesses participating include the Prevention of Blindness Look Again Resale Shop, King Street Café, Dash's of Old Town, Fashion Envy, Pazazz Salon, Kingdom Cleaner and Wheel Nuts.

For a list of discounts available at these stores, click here.

The Old Town Transit Shop is located at 1775C Duke Street on Diagonal Road and is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The store has DASH passes and tokens available for purchase, as well as Metro SmarTrip cards.