What you need to know
Known as VIA Link, VIA officials said riders can use the VIA Link app to book a ride in specially designated vans which will drop them off anywhere within the downtown corridor. Rides cost $1.30 per ride and riders can request a free transfer if transferring to a VIA bus. According to VIA officials, VIA Link is designed to give riders a greater array of options.
The Green Line, which will run north-south along San Pedro Avenue, from a station near the San Antonio International Airport to the historical missions area is estimated to be completed in 2027.
The Green Line includes several infrastructure improvements to give pedestrians greater mobility throughout the city, such as four miles of new and repaired sidewalks, over 20 intersection upgrades, 26 new bus stations and 66 bus friendly traffic signals.
Additionally, the east-west Silver Line will run from the Frost Bank Center to North General McMullen Drive on the westside of the city. Construction for the Silver Line is estimated to begin in 2027.
What else?
Alongside the Green Line and Silver Line Advanced Rapid Transit systems, city officials will construct a series of transit-oriented development districts. These districts would create transit-oriented communities where residents will have all the essentials of day-to-day life either within walking distance or accessible through public transit.
“As a council, we approved the framework of a future where having the convenience and amenities of The Pearl doesn’t have to come at the cost of being able to afford The Pearl,” said Sukh Kaur, District 1 council member.
TOD districts are divided into three zoning types: a mixed-use district of residential and nonresidential spaces, a hybrid-industrial district that serves as a transitioning area between districts and residential only districts. The framework for these districts will be built around five key components.
Key components include:
- Building affordable housing near transit to prevent displacement and ensure inclusivity
- Creating integrated networks where walking, cycling and public transit are practical means of transportation
- Stimulating economic growth along the transit-corridors
- Promoting green infrastructure, such as tree canopies and stormwater management systems
Additionally, the TOD framework enshrines a set of standards for areas to be re-zoned as one of the district types into a three-step process. To be re-zoned, the VIA board of trustees must approve the area that wishes to be designated as an ART Corridor.
If approved, a stakeholder participation process is required to develop a map that sets the boundaries for TOD zoning applications. Once this map has been developed, the city’s unified development code will be updated to reflect the new corridor and the maps will be adopted through a City Council ordinance.
