The Little Runner Expands Free Public Service to All Downtown San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas – An exciting update for San Antonio residents, workers, and visitors as I report live from the heart of the city. The Little Runner, the popular free downtown shuttle service, confirms its expansion plans to accommodate the whole of downtown San Antonio.
Partnership & Collaboration
This innovative move comes as a result of a collaborative effort involving the Centro San Antonio (Centro), The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), VIA Metropolitan Transit (VIA), and eCab North America (eCab).
Successful Pilot Program
The Little Runner service initially started out in March, running as a pilot program that offered free rides to UTSA students, faculty, and staff. To date, it has successfully provided over 2,000 rides, seating more than 4,000 passengers.
The Offering
The free public service will now operate within a designated zone curated to tackle high commute times for students, residents, and downtown visitors. This service area encompasses the downtown core, and the areas within the Public Improvement District (PID) boundaries. The current service hours for The Little Runner are weekdays from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm, with Fridays ending earlier at 7:00 pm. These hours will be revised in the summer season with an update expected soon. Until then, The Little Runner will continue operating within these established times and along its set route.
How to Access the Service
The Little Runner service is anticipated to be a hit given the multiple avenues through which a ride can be requested. These include downloading the app (available on both Apple and Android devices), contacting the service via call or text at 210-802-6610, or directly hailing the shuttle at a designated stop. Crucially, the service is also ADA-accessible, ensuring it is inclusive and available to all residents and visitors of downtown San Antonio.
Reactions to the Expansion
In reaction to this landmark expansion, Trish DeBerry, president and CEO of Centro San Antonio, expressed the organization’s excitement in extending an invitation to all downtown residents, visitors, and the entire downtown community to experience The Little Runner. Similarly, she also communicated their gratitude towards their partners for their involvement in executing this revolution in downtown micro-transit solutions.
The Takeaway
This noteworthy expansion of The Little Runner free public service is a considerable boost to San Antonio’s bid to facilitate micro-transit solutions. The shuttle service enhances urban mobility, ensuring residents, professionals, and visitors can navigate downtown San Antonio with ease and accessibility.