On Dec. 9, VIA Metropolitan Transit celebrated the launch of the southeast San Antonio VIA Link Zone, which is the sixth Link Zone to open in the city, at the Pre-K 4 SA–South Education Center.

The details

According to a news release, VIA Link Southeast began service on Nov. 3 and covers approximately 13.8 square miles in Southeast and East San Antonio, including the Brooks Transit Center and the forthcoming Eastside Transit Center. The service is open from 5 a.m.-11 p.m. with a wait time of roughly 20 minutes or less.

The VIA Link app allows riders to book a ride in specially designated vans that drop them off anywhere within the Link Zone. Rides cost $1.30 per ride and riders can request a free transfer if transferring to a VIA bus.

VIA launched the VIA Link app pilot program in 2019 in Northeast San Antonio. Since 2019, the agency has launched several new zones, including Mainland, which is centered around the University of Texas San Antonio main campus on the Northwest Side; Madla, which serves Texas A&M University-San Antonio and the Toyota Manufacturing campus on the South Side; and Randolph, which includes parts of Converse and Kirby. VIA also now provides VIA Link service Downtown, connecting UT San Antonio buildings across the center city, according to the news release.


Notable quotes

“I’ve had a front-row seat to the incredible growth and transformation of the Southeast Side over the past few years, and I’m proud to celebrate another win for this community,” VIA Board Chair Laura Cabanilla said in the news release. “What we’re celebrating today with VIA Link is exactly the kind of service that growing communities need to sustain momentum—connecting people to opportunity, jobs, education and each other.”

“Every investment we make helps build a system that’s growing with our region and reflecting our priorities,” VIA President and CEO Jon Gary Herrera said in the news release. “VIA Link Southeast is the latest investment that will make this area one of the most transit-rich in our city with mobility options that include fixed-route service, Prímo, VIA Link, VIAtrans paratransit and soon, VIA Rapid service.”