VIA Metropolitan Transit

Coordinates: 29°26′34″N 98°29′58″W / 29.44278°N 98.49944°W / 29.44278; -98.49944
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29°26′34″N 98°29′58″W / 29.44278°N 98.49944°W / 29.44278; -98.49944

VIA Metropolitan Transit
A Route 501 bus at the UTSA terminal
FormerlySan Antonio Transit System
ParentCity of San Antonio and Bexar County
Founded1977
Headquarters123 N. Medina St.
San Antonio, Texas
United States
Service areaGreater San Antonio
RoutesTotal: 95
Express: 4
Frequent: 15
Lineup: 20
Metro: 49
Primo: 3
Skip: 4
Stops5984
HubsPark & Ride: 10
Transit Center: 9
FleetBus: 511
Paratransit: 138
Daily ridership85,600 (weekdays, Q4 2023)[1]
Annual ridership25,132,300 (2023)[2]
Fuel type
  • CNG
  • Electric
Chief executiveJeffrey C. Arndt
Board ChairFernando Reyes
Websiteviainfo.net

VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority (referred to as VIA Metro or simply VIA) is the mass transit agency serving San Antonio, Texas, United States, and its surrounding municipalities. It began operation in 1978 as a successor to the San Antonio Transit System. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 25,132,300, or about 85,600 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

In addition to the city of San Antonio, VIA serves many other Bexar County municipalities, including Alamo Heights, Balcones Heights, Castle Hills, Converse, Kirby, Leon Valley, Olmos Park, Shavano Park, and Terrell Hills. While VIA does not directly serve some Bexar County municipalities such as Hill Country Village, Hollywood Park, Live Oak, Selma, Schertz, Universal City and Windcrest, many of them are within driving proximity of outlying park-and-ride facilities.

History[edit]

VIA's original logo, used until 2014

VIA was created in 1977 when the citizens of Bexar County voted in favor of a one-half cent sales tax to fund the service. Subsequently, VIA purchased transit assets from the City of San Antonio and began operations in March 1978, taking its name from the Latin word for "road". In 2004, city voters in San Antonio approved the formation of the Advanced Transportation District. This quarter-cent sales tax expanded and improved VIA operations.[3]

VIA has received several accolades from the American Public Transportation Association, most notably the award for Best Transit System in North America in 1990, as well as several of APTA's safety awards in multiple years.[3]

VIA added a limited-stop bus service known as Prímo to the Fredericksburg Road corridor on December 17, 2012.[4] Designated as Route 100, it connects the South Texas Medical Center to Downtown San Antonio. The route had connected the main campus of the University of Texas at San Antonio to its downtown campus using an extension from the Medical Center to the UTSA Main Campus, as well as a second extension that ran from the Medical Center to the nearby independent city of Leon Valley[5] until January 2017 (when the extensions were split into Route 101 which later became Route 501 in January 2019). An expansion of Prímo to Zarzamora Street opened in January 2019 and an expansion to Military Drive opened in late August 2019, additionally VIA is looking into other corridors to which to add improved bus transit in the coming decades.[6]

In March 2020, fares on all VIA services were temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The fare suspension was set to last until April 1, 2020, but was later extended until the end of May 2020.[7][8] On April 6, 2020, VIA implemented temporary service changes, including temporarily suspending some routes, implementing capacity limits on buses, and changing their fleet to Saturday service hours.[9] On April 27, 2020, VIA implemented further temporary service changes, including suspending additional routes and further decreasing frequency.[10] Fare collection continued on June 1, 2020,[11] and capacity limits were later removed on June 1, 2021.[7]

Services[edit]

VIA operates more than 500 buses (all are wheelchair accessible) on 75 bus routes ranging from routes 2 to 651, serving the entire city of San Antonio and most of Bexar County. About 36 million trips are made on VIA every year.[3] The bus routes are separated into Express, Frequent, Lineup, Metro, Primo, and Skip (limited stop routes) Service.[12] VIA additionally provides special event service from its Park & Ride locations to events such as San Antonio Spurs basketball games at the Frost Bank Center, selected annual Fiesta San Antonio activities, and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.[13] VIA also offers "VIATrans" paratransit services for disabled travelers.

Fares for VIA have remained relatively modest during its existence. At its inception in 1978, fares were 25¢ for most routes. Fares for most fixed routes during 2006 were 80¢, and a monthly bus pass was $20, much lower than most other transit systems in the country. On January 1, 2007, basic fares were raised to $1, and monthly pass prices were raised to $25. Basic fares increased to $1.10 and monthly pass prices were raised to $30 on January 1, 2009.[14] On March 1, 2014, the basic bus fare was $1.20; day passes were $4 and a 31-day pass was $35.[15] As of January 1, 2016 the base fare is $1.30; day passes are $2.75; 7-day passes are $12 and 31-day passes are $38.[16] No fare to children below 5 who ride with fare-paying rider (limit 3). On November 9, 2019, transfers became free and are included when paying to board the bus. To transfer from local to express, the difference of the service must be paid. One-day, seven-day and 31-day passes are accepted on all routes except for VIATrans and Special Event Service.

High school, college, and trade students are able to purchase a semester pass for $38 with proof of enrollment. Upon boarding, students must display valid VIA-issued IDs, or school IDs with stickers for the semester. Students, faculty, and staff attending or working for the Alamo Colleges District, Our Lady of the Lake University, Texas A&M San Antonio, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of the Incarnate Word can ride the bus for free by showing their school-issued goMobile pass as part of VIA's U-Pass program.[17]

Regular Service[edit]

Service Type Service Color Service Description Service Hours Service Cost
Express Orange Express Service is the designation for highway services. These routes provide a faster way for riders to reach their destination by utilizing the highways in San Antonio to transport customers. 4:30 am - 11:45 pm $2.60
Frequent Red Frequent Service is the designation for routes which operate every 20 minutes. 4:00 am - 11 pm $1.30
Lineup Black Lineup Service is the designation for a special late-night service. This service covers only the area within Loop 410 and is designed as a final opportunity for riders to get where they need to go for the night as VIA does not provide any service beyond its conclusion. 10:30 pm - 1:30 am
Metro Purple Metro Service is the designation for all other regular routes. The majority of these routes operate from Downtown San Antonio to specific suburban areas or projects, or from specific Transit Centers and Park & Rides to specific suburban areas or projects. Buses of this designation operate every 30-75 minutes, and some have peak sections where the frequency is increased by half its normal frequency. 3:45 am - 11:30 pm
Prímo Blue Prímo Service is the designation for a special skip service. These routes run along heavy ridership corridors throughout the city and operate similarly to skip service. 4 am - 1:30 am
Skip Green Skip Service is the designation for routes that cover heavy ridership corridors in San Antonio, and are modified to have fewer stops along the way to improve travel times. 4:15 am - 12 am

Special Event Service[edit]

VIA runs special service for major events in San Antonio, ranging from sporting events such as UTSA home football games, San Antonio Spurs home games, the annual Valero Alamo Bowl, and events such as the Monster Jam, Fiesta San Antonio, and The Texas Folklife Festival. Park & Ride Service is usually offered from the Randolph, and Crossroads Park/Rides as well as the Frank Madla Transit Center. The cost for the service is $1.30 one way, $2.60 round trip with discounts for students, children 5-11, seniors 62+, and persons with disabilities.

VIA Link Service[edit]

On May 4, 2019, VIA launched a new ride-share service in the Northeast San Antonio area (now known as the Naco Pass Zone) which promised more frequent service reliability as well as more flexible drop off points compared to traditional fixed route service.[18] Routes 640, 641, and 642 were retired in favor of this new service two days later.[19]

This service was later expanded to replace Routes 605 & 660 in the Northwest (Mainland) Zone on October 2, 2021,[20] Route 524's extension to Palo Alto College & 672 in the South (Madla) Zone on August 8, 2022,[21] and Routes 629 & 630 in the Randolph Zone on October 23, 2023.[22]

Governance[edit]

VIA is governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees, all of whom have two-year terms.[23]

Ten of the trustees are appointed by the various governmental entities in Bexar County—the City of San Antonio appoints five members, the Bexar County Commissioners Court appoints three, and the mayors of the suburban cities acting in concert appoint two. The appointed trustees then elect a chairperson as the Board's eleventh member.[23] The current President and CEO is Jeffrey C. "Jeff" Arndt.[24]

Current Routes[edit]

Typical VIA bus stop signage

The following is a list of VIA's routes as of the service changes on January 8, 2024.[22] Many routes that travel through Downtown San Antonio or change directions at a major transfer point continue with a different number; this route pair is also indicated.[25]

Radial Routes[edit]

Routes that are numbered from 1-99 are known as Radial routes. Radial routes provide service to Downtown and travel along major streets.

The route number also encodes the general direction the bus travels away from downtown:

  • Route 2 travels northbound
  • Route 25 travels eastbound
  • Route 44 travels southbound
  • Route 76 travels westbound
Route Route Name Terminals Major Destination Points Route Pair Service notes
2 Frequent Service
Blanco Frequent Loop 1604 & US 281 Pecan & St. Mary's
(southbound)

Navarro & Villita
(northbound)
  • U.S. 281 @ Loop 1604
  • Parliament Square
  • Downtown
34
  • Trips alternate between Loop 1604 & US 281 and Sir Winston & Parliament terminals
Sir Winston & Parliament
3 Skip Service
San Pedro Skip North Star Transit Center Centro Plaza 76
4 Frequent Service
San Pedro Frequent North Star Transit Center St. Mary's & Martin
(southbound)

Commerce & Bowie
(northbound)
  • North Star Mall
  • Downtown
28
5 Metro Service
McCullough San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport St. Mary's & Pecan
(southbound)

Navarro & Villita
(northbound)
  • San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport
  • Olmos Park
  • North Star Mall
  • Downtown
30
7 Express Service
US-281 Stone Oak/Brooks Express Stone Oak Park & Ride Brooks Transit Center
  • Stone Oak Park & Ride
  • San Antonio International Airport San Antonio International Airport
  • Downtown
  • Brooks Transit Center
  • Weekday service only
  • Service to Brooks Transit Center operates during peak hours only
Navarro & Villita
8 Metro Service
North St. Mary's Randolph Park & Ride St. Mary's & Martin
(southbound)

Navarro & Villita
(northbound)
67
  • Half of 8 busses do not continue as Route 67 on weekdays
9 Frequent Service
Broadway Frequent Naco Pass Martin & Navarro
(southbound)

S. Flores & Dolorosa
(northbound)
  • Naco Pass
  • Alamo Heights
  • Downtown
43
  • Half of 9 busses do not continue as Route 43
  • Trips alternate between traveling along Broadway and Nacogdoches
14 Skip Service
Perrin Beitel Skip Naco Pass Martin & Navarro
(southbound)

S. Flores & Dolorosa
(northbound)
  • Naco Pass
  • Alamo Heights
  • University of the Incarnate Word
  • Downtown
44
  • Half of 14 busses do not continue as Route 44 on weekdays
17 Express Service
IH-35 Express Randolph Blvd. Park & Ride Commerce & Presa
(westbound)

Centro Plaza
(eastbound)
  • Randolph Park & Ride
  • Centro Plaza
  • Downtown
93
20 Frequent Service
New Braunfels Frequent Brooks Transit Center Centro Plaza 26
  • Half of 20 busses do not continue as Route 26
21 Metro Service
Kirby/Converse Randolph Park & Ride Martin & Navarro
(westbound)

Pecan & Navarro
(eastbound)
77
  • Final eastbound trip terminates at Foster & FM 78
Foster & FM 78
22 Metro Service
Hays Hines & Dignowity Martin & Navarro
(westbound)

Navarro & Villita
(eastbound)
  • University Health Clinic
  • Downtown
51
24 Metro Service
East Houston Dietrich Road Apartments Centro Plaza
25 Frequent Service
East Commerce Frequent Royal View & Way View Martin & Jefferson
(westbound)

Centro Plaza
(eastbound)
  • Royal View
  • Huntleigh Park
  • Ellis Alley Park & Ride
  • Downtown
  • Centro Plaza
75
  • Service to Royal View & Way View operates during peak hours only
Houston & Lynhaven
26 Metro Service
Martin Luther King Lone Oak Mall Centro Plaza
  • Eastwood Village
  • Alamodome
  • Centro Plaza
  • Downtown
20
28 Frequent Service
Porter Frequent Rigsby & Loop 410 North Commerce & Bowie
(westbound)

St. Mary's & Martin
(eastbound)
  • Dellcrest
  • Downtown
4
  • Trips alternate between traveling along Rice and Southcross
30 Metro Service
Rigsby Sinclair & Vista Lake Navarro & Villita
(westbound)

St. Mary's & Pecan
(eastbound)
  • Dellcrest
  • Comanche Park
  • Downtown
5
  • Makes an extended trip to the Foster Road H-E-B Distribution facility during peak hours only
32 Metro Service
Steves Lebanon & Goliad Navarro & Villita
(westbound)

St. Mary's & Martin
(eastbound)
  • Brookside
  • Brooks Transit Center
  • Highland Hills
  • Texas Department of Human Services
  • Downtown
96
34 Frequent Service
South St. Mary's Frequent Brooks Transit Center Navarro & Villita
(northbound)

Pecan & St. Mary's
(southbound)
  • Brooks Transit Center
  • McCreless Marketplace
  • Juvenile Detention Center
  • Downtown
2
  • Makes an extended trip to the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind and/or the Lighthouse for the Blind Annex during peak hours only
36 Metro Service
South Presa Brooks Transit Center Navarro & Villita
(northbound)

St. Mary's & Pecan
(southbound)
  • Brooks Transit Center
  • New Braunfels State Hospital
  • Downtown
90
  • Trips alternate between traveling along Hotwells and S. Presa
42 Metro Service
Roosevelt Navistar Navarro & Villita
(northbound)

Pecan & S. St. Mary's
(southbound)
  • Navistar
  • Willa Coronado
  • TJ Maxx Distribution Center
  • Mission Del Lago
  • Downtown
88
  • Makes an extended trip to the Navistar Advanced Technology Center and/or TJ Maxx Distribution Center during peak hours only on weekdays
  • Serves the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind on weekdays, and during peak hours on Saturday only
Mission Del Lago
43 Metro Service
South Flores Gillette & Pleasanton Dolorosa & Flores
(northbound)

Martin & Navarro
(southbound)
  • Kingsborough
  • Bellaire
  • Downtown
9
44 Metro Service
Pleasanton Moursund & Villaret Dolorosa & Flores
(northbound)

Martin & Navarro
(southbound)
  • Moursund @ Loop 410
  • Downtown
14
46 Metro Service
Commercial Commercial & Gillette Centro Plaza
  • Kingsborough
  • Commercial
  • Downtown
51 Metro Service
Nogalitos Madla Transit Center Navarro & Villita
(northbound)

Martin & Navarro
(southbound)
  • Madla Transit Center
  • South Park Mall
  • Downtown
22
62 Metro Service
Kirk Clarence Tinker Dr. & Perrin Rd. Centro Plaza 89
64 Express Service
US 90 Express Northwest Vista College Dolorosa & Main
  • Northwest Vista College
  • Sea World
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Downtown
  • Goes to Sea World (Main Entrance) only when park is open to the public
66 Metro Service
Ceralvo University SW Family Health Center Centro Plaza
  • University Southwest Family Health Center
  • Downtown
  • Centro Plaza
68
67 Metro Service
Laredo Las Palmas Shopping Ctr. Navarro & Villita
(northbound)

St. Mary's & Martin
(southbound)
  • Las Palmas Shopping Center
  • Downtown
8
68 Frequent Service
Guadalupe Frequent University Family Health Center Centro Plaza
  • University Southwest Family Center
  • Las Palmas Shopping Center
  • Centro Plaza
  • Downtown
66
  • Half of 68 busses do not continue as Route 66
75 Frequent Service
West Commerce Frequent Univ. SW Family Health Ctr. Centro Plaza
(eastbound)

Martin & Jefferson
(westbound)
25
  • Trips alternate between traveling along El Paso and Acme Rd.
76 Skip Service
West Commerce Skip Kel-Lac Transit Center Centro Plaza
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Our Lady of the Lake University
  • Downtown
  • Centro Plaza
3
77 Metro Service
Martin Aurora & Consuelo Pecan & Navarro
(eastbound)

Martin & Navarro
(westbound)
  • Loma Terrace
  • Downtown
21
79 Metro Service
Ruiz Ruiz & Gen. McMullen Pecan & Navarro
(eastbound)

Martin & Navarro
(westbound)
  • Rosedale Park
  • University Downtown Health Center
82 Frequent Service
Culebra Frequent Ingram Transit Center Pecan & St. Mary's
(southbound)

St. Mary's & Martin
(northbound)
  • Ingram Transit Center
  • Ingram Mall
  • Northside Athletic Complex
  • Southwest Research Center
  • St. Mary's University
  • Centro Plaza
95
88 Frequent Service
Bandera Frequent Bandera & Mainland Pecan & St. Mary's
(southbound)

Navarro & Villita
(northbound)
42
  • Trips alternate between traveling along Bandera Rd. and Evers Rd.
  • Half of 88 busses do not continue as Route 42
89 Metro Service
Poplar Ingram Transit Center Centro Plaza
  • Ingram Transit Center
  • University Downtown Health Center
  • Downtown
  • Centro Plaza
62
90 Metro Service
Woodlawn Ingram Transit Ctr. St. Mary's & Pecan
(eastbound)

Navarro & Villita
(westbound)
  • Ingram Transit Center
  • Ingram Mall
  • St. Mary's University
  • San Antonio College
  • Downtown
36
93 Express Service
IH-10 Crossroads / U.T.S.A. Express The Rim Centro Plaza
(eastbound)

Commerce & Presa
(westbound)
17
95 Frequent Service
Fredericksburg Rd. Frequent Medical Center Transit Center St. Mary's & Martin
(southbound)

Pecan & St. Mary's
(northbound)
  • Medical Center Transit Center
  • Crossroads Park & Ride
  • Deco District
  • Downtown
82
96 Frequent Service
Vance Jackson Frequent Silicon & DeZavala St. Mary's & Martin
(southbound)

Navarro & Villita
(northbound)
  • University Heights Business Park
  • Deco District
  • Downtown
32
  • Half of 96 busses do not continue as Route 32
97 Metro Service
West Ave. The Rim St. Mary's & Martin
(southbound)

Navarro & Villita
(northbound)
  • The Rim
  • University Heights Business Park
  • Castle Hills
  • Deco District
  • Downtown
  • Trips alternate between The Rim and Silicon & DeZevala terminals
  • Makes an extended trip to Talavera Ridge Rd. during peak hours only
Silicon & DeZevala

Prímo Routes[edit]

Prímo routes are high frequency skip-stop routes that operate on heavy ridership corridors. Route 100 features stations along Fredericksburg Road and Medical Drive, while Routes 102 and 103 feature enhanced bus stops with real-time arrival information. The northern portion of Route 103 also uses Fredericksburg Road's stations.

Route Route Name Terminals Major Destination Points Stations Service notes
100 Prímo Service
Fredericksburg Road Medical Center Transit Center Ellis Alley Park & Ride
  • Ellis Alley Park & Ride
  • Downtown
  • Centro Plaza
  • Medical Center
  • University Hospital
  • Ewing Halsell
  • Callaghan
  • Crossroads
  • De Chantle
  • Babcock
  • Mary Louise
  • Huisache
  • Operates similarly to a Skip service within Downtown
102 Prímo Service
Military Kel-Lac Transit Center Brooks Transit Center
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Lackland AFB
  • South Park Mall
  • Brooks Transit Center

No stations

103 Prímo Service
Zarzamora Madla Transit Center Crossroads Park & Ride
  • De Chantle
  • Babcock
  • Mary Louise
  • Operates only at Prímo stations on Fredericksburg road
  • Operates similarly to a Skip service on Zarzamora St.

Lineup Routes[edit]

Routes that are numbered from 200-299 are known as Lineup routes.

At 10:30pm, 11:30pm, and 12:30pm, all buses that are part of a lineup route will arrive at Travis Park and leave Downtown to provide riders with a final opportunity to arrive at their final destinations.

The last two digits of each route number is inherited from the number of the base route that heads away from Downtown (e.g. Route 275 inherits its route number from Route 75 instead of Route 67, as the bus leaves downtown following Route 75).

Route Route Name Terminals Routes Served Route Description Service notes
202 Lineup Service
Blanco St. Mary's & Martin West Ave. & Jackson-Keller
  • 2
  • Travels to Blanco & Jackson-Keller via Route 2 northbound, and briefly follows Route 651 northbound to West Ave. & Jackson-Keller
  • Travels to St. Mary's & Pecan terminal via Route 2 southbound
204 Lineup Service
San Pedro / McCullough Martin & Navarro North Star Transit Center
  • 4
  • 5
  • Travels to North Star Transit Center via Route 4 northbound
  • Travels to Martin & Navarro via Route 5 southbound
209 Lineup Service
Broadway / Nacogdoches Pecan & Navarro Broadway & Loop 410
  • 9
  • Travels to Broadway & Loop 410 via Route 9 northbound on Broadway
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 9 southbound on Nacogdoches
214 Lineup Service
Austin Hwy / Randolph Pecan & Navarro Randolph Park & Ride
  • 14
  • 17
  • Travels to Randolph Park & Ride via Route 14 northbound
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 17 westbound
222 Lineup Service
Hays / E. Houston Pecan & Navarro Hines & Dignowity
  • 22
  • 24
  • Travels to Hines & Dignowity via Route 22 eastbound, and continues to W.W. White & Springfield on IH-35
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 24 westbound
225 Lineup Service
E. Commerce / M.L. King Pecan & Navarro Houston & Kenmar
  • 25
  • 26
  • Travels to Houston & Kenmar via Route 25 eastbound, and continues to W.W. White & Martin Luther King
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 26 westbound
230 Lineup Service
Rigsby / Porter Pecan & Navarro Rigsby & W.W. White
  • 28
  • 30
  • Travels to Rigsby & W.W. White via Route 30 southbound
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 28 westbound on Southcross
232 Lineup Service
Steves Ave / S. St. Mary's Pecan & Navarro Goliad & S.E. Military Dr.
  • 32
  • 34
  • Travels to Goliad & S. E. Military Dr. via Route 32 southbound
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 34 northbound
242 Lineup Service
Roosevelt / S. Presa Pecan & Navarro Brooks Transit Center
  • 36
  • 42
  • Travels to Brooks Transit Center via Route 42 southbound
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 36 northbound on Hotwells
243 Lineup Service
S. Flores / Pleasanton Pecan & Navarro Gillette & Pleasanton
  • 43
  • 44
  • Travels to Gillette & Pleasanton via Route 43 southbound
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 44 northbound
246 Lineup Service
Commercial Pecan & Navarro Madla Transit Center
  • 46
  • Travels to Commercial & Gillette via Route 46 southbound, and continues west to Madla Transit Center
  • Travels to Downtown on IH-35 northbound, and follows Route 64 to Pecan & Navarro
  • Follows the path of former Route 48 northbound
251 Lineup Service
Nogalitos / Kirk Pecan & Navarro Barlite & S.W. Military Dr.
  • 51
  • 62
  • Travels to Barlite & S.W. Military Dr. via Route 51 southbound
  • Briefly follows Route 524 northbound, and continues on Cupples Rd. until Kirk Place. Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 62 northbound
268 Lineup Service
Guad. St. / Ceralvo St. Mary's & Martin Castroville & S.W. 36th
  • 66
  • 68
  • Travels to Castroville & S.W. 36th via Route 68 westbound
  • Travels to St. Mary's & Martin via Route 66 eastbound, and follows Route 17 eastbound within Downtown
275 Lineup Service
Commerce / Laredo St. Mary's & Martin Las Palmas Shopping Ctr.
  • 67
  • 75
  • Travels to Acme Rd & Old Highway 90 via Route 75 westbound, and continues eastbound via Eldridge Ave. Briefly follows Route 75 eastbound until El Paso & Gen. McMullen, and travels southbound on General McMullen until arriving at Las Palmas Shopping Ctr.
  • Travels to St. Mary's & Martin via Route 67 northbound
276 Lineup Service
Commerce / Kel-Lac Transit Ctr. St. Mary's & Martin Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • 64
  • 76
  • Travels to Kel-Lac Transit Center via Route 76 westbound
  • Travels to St. Mary's & Martin via Route 64 eastbound
277 Lineup Service
Martin / Ruiz St. Mary's & Martin Ruiz & Gen. McMullen
  • 77
  • 79
  • Travels to Ruiz & Gen. McMullen via Route 77 westbound
  • Travels to St. Mary's & Martin via Route 79 eastbound
282 Lineup Service
Culebra St. Mary's & Martin Ingram Transit Center
  • 82
  • Travels to Ingram Transit Center via Route 82 northbound
  • Travels to St. Mary's & Martin via Route 82 southbound
288 Lineup Service
Bandera / Evers Rd. St. Mary's & Martin Loop 410 & Bandera
  • 88
  • Travels to Loop 410 & Bandera via Route 88 northbound
  • Travels to St. Mary's & Martin via Route 88 southbound
289 Lineup Service
Poplar / Woodlawn Pecan & Navarro Ingram Rd. & Callaghan
  • 89
  • 90
  • Travels to Ingram Rd. & Callaghan via Route 89 northbound
  • Travels to Pecan & Navarro via Route 90 eastbound
296 Lineup Service
Vance Jackson / West Ave. Martin & Navarro Jackson-Keller & West Ave.
  • 96
  • 97
  • Travels to Jackson-Keller & West Ave. via Route 96 northbound
  • Travels to Martin & Navarro via Route 97 southbound

Crosstown Routes[edit]

Routes that are numbered from 500-599 are known as Crosstown routes. Crosstown routes provide service on major travel corridors that are outside of Downtown.

Route Route Name Terminals Major Destination Points Route Pair Service notes
501 Metro Service
UTSA / Leon Valley UTSA Poss & Bandera
502 Metro Service
Thousand Oaks Randolph Blvd. Park & Ride North Star Transit Center 602
503 Metro Service
Huebner Crosstown Medical Center Transit Center Stone Oak Park & Ride
  • South Texas Medical Center Transit Center
  • Stone Oak
  • Stone Oak Park & Ride
505 Metro Service
Basse Randolph Blvd. Park & Ride Crossroads Park & Ride
  • Randolph Park & Ride
  • Crossroads Park & Ride
509 Metro Service
Hildebrand Crossroads Park & Ride Randolph Park & Ride
  • Randolph Park & Ride
  • Alamo Heights
  • Deco District
  • Crossroads Park & Ride
  • No Sunday service
515 Metro Service
Southcross Bynum & Military New Sulphur Springs & Southcross Ranch
  • Southcross Ranch
  • McCreless Marketplace
  • South San
522 Metro Service
Babcock Laureate & Clark Las Palmas Shopping Ctr.
  • Woodway Park
  • Medical Center Transit Center
  • Las Palmas Shopping Center
524 Frequent Service
General McMullen Frequent Briggs & Somerset Crossroads Park & Ride
534 Frequent Service
Wurzbach Frequent Ingram Transit Center North Star Transit Center
  • Ingram Transit Center
  • Ingram Park Mall
  • Medical Center Transit Center
  • North Star Transit Center
552 Skip Service
Loop 410 / W.W. White Skip Kel-Lac Transit Center Brooks Transit Center
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Ingram Transit Center
  • Crossroads Park & Ride
  • North Star Transit Center
  • Randolph Park & Ride
  • Brooks Transit Center

Circulator Routes[edit]

Routes that are numbered from 600-699 are known as Circulator routes. Circulator routes provide local service within residential areas and allow transfers with other lines at transit centers.

The route number also encodes the general area that the route serves:

  • Routes 602 and 647-651 serve the area surrounding the North Star Transit Center
  • Routes 603-609 serve the area between the South Texas Medical Center and Ingram Transit Center
  • Routes 610-620 serve the area south of Ingram Transit Center
  • Route 632 serves the area southeast of Randolph Park & Ride
Route Route Name Terminals Major Destination Points Route Pair Service notes
602 Metro Service
North Star / Medical Center North Star Transit Center Medical Center Transit Center
  • North Star Transit Center
  • Castle Hills
  • Medical Center Transit Center
502
603 Metro Service
Medical Center / U.T.S.A. UTSA Medical Ctr. Transit Ctr.
  • U.T.S.A.
  • University Business Park
  • Medical Center Transit Center
604
604 Metro Service
Medical Center / University Heights Silicon & DeZavala Medical Center Transit Center
  • University Heights Business Park
  • Medical Center Transit Center
603
607 Metro Service
Medical Center/Ingram Ingram Transit Center Medical Center Transit Center
  • Ingram Transit Center
  • Medical Center Transit Center
618
609 Metro Service
Ingram / Mainland South Texas Medical Center Medical Center Transit Center Ingram Transit Center
  • Ingram Transit Center
  • Mainland
  • Medical Center Transit Center
610
610 Metro Service
Ingram/Northwest Crossing Cliffbrier & Culebra Ingram Transit Center
  • Northwest Crossing
  • Ingram Transit Center
609
611 Metro Service
Valley-Hi / Kel-Lac Lake Vista Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Valley Hi
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
615
  • Northbound buses travel on Morning Valley
  • Southbound buses travel on Juno Landing
612 Metro Service
Kel-Lac/Westlakes Horal & Marbach Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Westlakes
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
614
613 Metro Service
Heritage NW/Kel-Lac Fillmore & Potranco

Kel-Lac Transit Center

  • Heritage Northwest
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
619
614 Metro Service
Hidden Cove/Kel-Lac Port Victoria & Trading Post Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Hidden Cove
  • Pearsall Park
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
612
615 Metro Service
Kel-Lac/Heritage Park Raven Field & Pue Rd. Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Heritage Park
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
611
616 Metro Service
Sky Harbour/Kel-Lac Old Sky Harbour & Clipper Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Sky Harbour
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Trader's Village
617
  • Buses travel to Trader's Village during midday on weekends only
617 Metro Service
Kel-Lac/Rainbow Hills Tarasco & Horal Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Rainbow Hills
  • Westlakes
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
616
618 Metro Service
Ingram / Westlakes Horal & Marbach Ingram Transit Center
  • Westlakes
  • Ingram Transit Center
607
619 Metro Service
Kel-Lac/Indian Creek Creek Bend & Sweet Maiden Kel-Lac Transit Center
  • Indian Creek
  • Kel-Lac Transit Center
613
620 Metro Service
Northwest Vista College / Ingram Northwest Vista College Ingram Transit Center
  • Northwest Vista College
  • Ingram Transit Center
632 Metro Service
Randolph / Ventura Randolph Blvd. Park & Ride FM 78 & Crestway
  • Ventura
  • Randolph Park & Ride
647 Metro Service
North Star / Harry Wurzbach Harry Wurzbach & Terrel North Star Transit Center 648
648 Metro Service
North Star / Stone Oak North Central Baptist Hospital North Star Transit Center
  • North Star Transit Center
  • Arion Business Park
  • North Central Baptist Hospital
647
651 Metro Service
Deco District / Castle Hills West Ave. & Jackson-Keller West Ave. & Hildebrand


Bus Fleet[edit]

Active Fleet[edit]

Year Manufacturer Model Length (ft.) Fuel Propulsion Fleet Series Notes

-

2022 Gillig Low Floor EV 40 Battery Electric 118-125 Replaced the propane trolleys downtown

Currently being tested on routes 2/34, 14/44, and 25/75

2022 Gillig Low Floor LFW 40 CNG 758-785 First Gillig buses for VIA

First buses in the fleet to include USB charging ports underneath the seats Order of 29 out of 113 buses Currently on delivery

2010 NABI LFW 40 CNG 947-950 First CNG buses in the fleet, all are used exclusively on Prímo routes.
2012–13 NABI 60-BRT 60 CNG 951-969 Used exclusively on the Prímo routes, they are mainly assigned to Route 100, and are occasionally used on Routes 102 & 103.
2016 NFI XN40 40 CNG 406-420 Previously used exclusively on VIA's now defunct VIVA service. 419 & 420 are now painted in the Prímo livery and used exclusively on the Prímo routes, while 406-418 have been repainted to match VIA's current livery and are used on all routes.
2016–2020 Nova Bus LFS Natural Gas 40 CNG 421-757

801-806 970-989

Used on all routes, 970-989 are used exclusively on Prímo routes.

Historical Fleet[edit]

Year Manufacturer Model Length (ft.) Fuel Propulsion Fleet Series Notes
1999–01 NABI LFW 40 Diesel 730-946 Retired from service in 2017-2018.
2000 Champion Solo 30 Propane 663-729 Retired from service in 2008.
2003, 2004–05, 2006, 2008 New Flyer D40LF 40 Diesel 200-375 Earlier model years retired from service in 2017, remaining fleet retired from service in 2022.
2012 Proterra BE35 EcoRide 35 Electric 115-117 Retired from service in 2022.
2005 Optima Trolley Replica 30 Propane 96-114 Retired from service in 2021.
2010 New Flyer DE40LFR 40 Diesel-Hybrid 376-405 Retired from service in 2023.


References[edit]

  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c "About VIA". VIA Metropolitan Transit. n.d. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  4. ^ "VIA Primo". VIA Metropolitan Transit. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  5. ^ Davila, Vianna (November 4, 2013). "VIA bus service changes start Monday". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved October 14, 2017.
  6. ^ "Fredericksburg BRT Route". VIA Metropolitan Transit Destination 2012. VIA Metropolitan Transit. n.d. Archived from the original on March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 7, 2009.
  7. ^ a b "COVID-19". VIA Metropolitan Transit. March 18, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  8. ^ Ibañez, David (March 20, 2020). "VIA suspends fares through April 1; riders rejoice". KSAT.com. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  9. ^ "VIA Service Changes Start Monday, April 6 – Here's What Riders Can Expect". VIA Metropolitan Transit. 2020-04-04. Retrieved 2020-04-13.
  10. ^ "VIA Rolls Out "Essential Service" Schedule Monday, April 27". VIA Metropolitan Transit. 2020-04-24. Retrieved 2020-04-24.
  11. ^ "VIA Will Resume Fare Collection June 1". VIA Metropolitan Transit. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
  12. ^ "Bus Services". VIA Metropolitan Transit. n.d. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Park and Ride | Events". VIA Metropolitan Transit. n.d. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  14. ^ "New fares in effect January 1". VIA Metropolitan Transit. December 15, 2008. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  15. ^ "Fares & Passes". VIA Metropolitan Transit. Archived from the original on March 7, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  16. ^ "Fares".
  17. ^ "Ride VIA with your new U-PASS". VIA Metropolitan Transit. Retrieved 2019-02-16.
  18. ^ "VIA Link". viainfo.net. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  19. ^ "VIA Link Arrives May 4, and Service Changes Take Effect May 6". viainfo.net. April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  20. ^ "Keep SA Moving: VIA Link Now Open in Northwest San Antonio". viainfo.net. October 1, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  21. ^ "Bus Service Replaced with VIA Link South Beginning Oct. 24, 2022". viainfo.net. October 18, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Service Changes Effective January 8, 2024". www.viainfo.net. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  23. ^ a b "Board of Trustees". VIA Metropolitan Transit. n.d. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  24. ^ "Executive Leadership Team". VIA Metropolitan Transit. n.d. Retrieved December 2, 2016.
  25. ^ "VIA System Map" (PDF). VIA Metropolitan Transit. January 8, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.

External links[edit]