ATC is governed by an eleven person board of directors elected by the city council.

In 1981, in anticipation of the opening of the Metrorail stations and the subsequent reordering of Metrobus service, the City Council authorized a feasibility study for a city-sponsored bus system.

The certificate of incorporation was issued by the State Corporation Commission on January 31, and the organizational meeting of the company was held on February 6.

On October 19, 2020, DASH unveiled its first all-electric transit bus at the City Hall of Alexandria.

Five additional 40' Gillig Low Floor diesel-electric hybrid buses went into service in March 2013.

DASH continued to accept and issue paper transfers until they were eliminated altogether January 1, 2013.