VIA Metropolitan Transit provides regional transportation options that connect our community to opportunity, support economic vitality, and enhance the quality of life throughout our region.
VIA is governed by an 11-member board of trustees. Board members are appointed to staggered two-year terms by the following entities: San Antonio City Council (appoints five), Bexar County Commissioners Court (appoints three), and the Suburban Mayors (appoints two). The Chair of the Board is elected by the Board members and serves a two-year term. The 11-member VIA Board of Trustees meets monthly to discuss policy issues and hear comments from the community. VIA Board meetings are generally held on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
VIA buses operate seven days a week from 4:00 AM - 1:00 AM. There are 7,193 bus stops along 90 bus lines, which are divided into five service categories: frequent, metro, express, skip, and downtown circulator.
VIA provides the following services in our community:
- Bus service including downtown circulator service
- Paratransit service for riders with disabilities
- Vanpool service for commuters
- Special event park and ride service
- VIA Prímo bus rapid transit service
For a detailed schedule list, click here.
Click here to plan your trip.
VIA Metro Fare Assistance Partnership program provides a 25% discount on daily, weekly, and monthly bus passes to nonprofit, social service, and governmental organizations primarily serving clients below the federal poverty line.
If your organization provides direct services to this population, click here for eligibility requirements and to apply.
VIA Link is a new on-demand ridesharing program that offers affordable public transit options to neighborhoods and cities in the VIA service area where traditional bus routes are not feasible.
Similar to Uber or Lyft ridesharing services, customers in the Northeast and Northwest Zones – and coming soon, the South Zone – may use a convenient app or make a phone call to request a VIA Link passenger van to go to their location for a trip that can begin and end anywhere within the zone. Customers may also connect to regular VIA bus service to continue their trip to bus stops across the VIA service area. As many as three people may be picked up during a VIA Link trip.
Click here to see the service area and hours of operation.
Ride VIA Link and enjoy the same low fares as VIA bus service.
A VIA Reduced Fare ID or Student ID must be presented when riding to pay reduced fares or use discounted passes (children ages 5-13 years old and active-duty U.S. military in uniform are not required to show ID).
VIAtrans is a transportation service option for customers who cannot utilize regular bus service because of a disability. It is a shared-ride, curb-to-curb service that offers independence through mobility and expands access to opportunity via transit.
VIAtrans trips are available for any purpose and can be scheduled at least one day in advance using VIA’s online or call-in scheduling system.
VIAtrans uses vans in the same areas and times as the VIA bus service. Van operators help passengers on and off vehicles but do not provide medical assistance or emergency service.
Individuals may apply to determine eligibility for VIAtrans.
- Eligibility is based on an individual’s functional ability to use regular city bus service, in keeping with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) criteria.
- As part of the VIAtrans eligibility determination process, applicants may be asked to participate in a physical functional assessment by a skilled and trained professional therapist.
Vanpool makes it possible for groups of five to 15 persons to share a ride to work while splitting the cost of van rental and fuel.
Why use VIAWorks Vanpool?
- It eliminates driving a personal vehicle and reduces gasoline and emissions.
- It saves parking costs and traffic hassles.
- It’s tax-free for riders if done as a payroll deduction.
- Vanpool drivers may keep the van during evenings and weekends, in exchange for keeping a daily log and managing the group’s finances and scheduled maintenance.
- It offers an attractive benefits package on behalf of employers.
- There is always a guaranteed ride home in case of emergency with VIAWorks and the Alamo Commutes Emergency Ride Home program.
How does vanpooling work?
VIAWorks Vanpool vehicles may travel almost anywhere, as long as trips start or end within VIA’s bus service area.
Employees of participating workplaces may receive IRS tax benefits for Vanpool expense reimbursements. VIA also provides a subsidy discount ($20 per person, per month), insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance, and van maintenance.
Click here for more information about Vanpool.