Hanover DASH, a individualized community transportation program for Hanover County senior residents that are 65 and older, as well as individuals with disabilities, has launched its own free mobile app.
For over 20 years, there was a lot of push for a public transportation network in Hanover County to provide accessible and affordable transportation to its residents.
The Hanover DASH app launched on April 24, 2025.
In 2018, the County applied for a grant from the Department of Rail and Public Transportation and was awarded around $187,000 to invest in this cause, with a focus on providing this public transportation option for older residents and those with disabilities.
Hanover County then brought on their Senior Service Specialist, Susan D. Richards, in October of 2019 to help bring the DASH concept to life.
The service was officially launched in Dec. 2019 and has been transporting residents throughout the County and up to seven miles beyond its borders
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The program operates daily from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m. Riders can use the service to reach destinations such as medical appointments, grocery stores, workplaces, activities and events. Drivers are found through the transportation networking company, User, where they train, hire and contract with wheelchair accessible companies.
The cost is $5 per ride or $10 round trip. A caregiver may accompany riders at no additional cost. Riders must give 24-hour advanced notice of their ride, and wheelchair accessible vehicles are also available to riders.
“For quite a while, we were working on rolling out an app where folks can just go online and use the app to reserve, track and cancel their ride,” said Susan D. Richards, Hanover County Senior Services Specialist and Hanover DASH manager.
The DASH app launched on April 24 this year.
“It’s an awesome program and has done so much to serve so many older adults who want to age in place,” said Richards. “Hanover has a lot of remote parts, and a lot of people want to age in place and not have to relocate due to transportation needs. DASH has allowed them to age in place but help them stay connected to everything they need it order to contribute to the longevity of their lives.
Last year, the DASH program won a Virginia Association of Counties award for DASH.
DASH seeks to continue to expand the program and has also applied for a $900,000 grant to allow for more riders by getting more vehicles.
“The vision is to be able to serve all residents of the County who are older adults or disabled by providing adequate transportation on a regular basis,” said Richards.
New riders must complete a Hanover DASH registration form and provide proof of residency, age or disability. To register, visit https://www.hanovercounty.gov/FormCenter/Community-Resources-Forms-11/Hanover-DASH-Registration-Form-95 .
