The new VIA Metropolitan Transit bus service will enhance community connectivity.
VIA Metropolitan Transit is set to improve bus service frequency in San Antonio as part of its Better Bus Plan. The new changes aim to attract riders back to pre-COVID levels with more reliable service and shorter wait times on key routes. Proposed enhancements are scheduled for discussion and potential approval on February 25, with an expected launch in April. Investment for this initiative totals $4.5 million, aligning with community feedback for increased accessibility and service frequency.
Exciting changes are brewing in San Antonio as VIA Metropolitan Transit rolls out plans to enhance bus service frequency as part of its “Better Bus Plan.” Aiming to attract new riders and boost ridership back to pre-Covid levels, VIA is focused on providing a more reliable transit experience for everyone in the community.
In a recent special meeting, VIA’s board discussed improvements to five key bus routes that play a vital role in getting commuters from point A to point B efficiently. If all goes well, a vote is set for February 25, with proposed changes expected to kick in by April. How’s that for a timely boost?
With the upcoming plan, you can expect a frequency of at least half an hour on all routes during peak hours. This means shorter wait times and more reliable service! Riders from the growing Brooks master-planned community on the South Side will benefit significantly, as two of the routes scheduled for enhancement serve this blossoming area.
Taking a closer look at the specifics, Route 20 is set to have its weekend frequency bumped up from 20 minutes to an impressive 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. And it gets even better with the Prímo 102 route, which will see weekday frequency increase from 15 minutes to just 12 minutes between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. That makes the Prímo 102 the second route to offer service every 12 minutes, matched only by the Prímo 103.
It’s worth noting that Route 20 had nearly 1.4 million boardings in fiscal year 2024, making it the third-highest ridership route in the VIA network. Meanwhile, the Prímo 102 logged over 1 million boardings, securing its place as the fifth-highest. This shows that these routes are crucial for many residents!
These frequency upgrades will require an investment of $4.5 million from VIA, which will be money well spent if it means more people can rely on public transit. VIA’s last major improvement to these services happened around four years ago, so this is a refreshing change for the community.
With the ridership steadily increasing—from 23.3 million in fiscal year 2021 to 27 million in fiscal 2023—VIA understands the pressing need for more bus operators. As of January, they have reached 815 operators but aim to boost that number to 875 by the end of the year. This will help VIA offer the expanded services promised in the Better Bus Plan, which includes new rapid Prímo lines and more VIA Link shuttle zones.
The proposed improvements are partially based on community feedback, particularly from low-income and minority groups who have shared their desire for more accessible bus services. In fact, a survey from 2018 revealed that only 5.1% of residents preferred service frequencies of 41-50 minutes; a striking 63.7% expressed enthusiasm for frequencies of 11-20 minutes! Currently, five of VIA’s routes operate at a frequency of 15 minutes or less, and these enhancements surely bring a sigh of relief.
Like many transit systems nationwide, VIA has faced challenges due to the Covid pandemic, with a notable decline in ridership attributed to the rise of rideshare services and remote work trends. To combat this, the Better Bus Plan also aims to enhance service reliability, reduce the need for transfers, and provide expanded late-night services, which can make a huge difference for those working non-traditional hours.
With plans for advanced rapid transit lines and a keen focus on community needs, VIA Metropolitan Transit is setting a course for a more connected future, one bus route at a time. So gear up, San Antonio! Some uplifting changes are just around the corner.
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