VIA Metropolitan VIA Link marks ridership milestone
VIA Metropolitan Transit’s VIA Link — Naco Pass (northeast zone) has completed more than 500,000 trips on the shared-ride service.
VIA Link began as a pilot program in 2019 that has since become a cornerstone of service for VIA in the region. VIA Link replaced infrequent fixed-route bus service in a section of northeast San Antonio, Texas, where suburban-area street configurations made it difficult to deliver efficient service.
The VIA Link – Naco Pass service reached more than 50,000 trips in its first five months of operation. Its success prompted VIA to launch a second VIA Link zone in 2021 – VIA Link Mainland, on the northwest side; a third zone — VIA Link Madla on the south side in 2022 and a fourth zone – VIA Link Randolph in 2023.
VIA Link expansion is part of VIA’s Keep SA Moving plan, approved by voters in 2020. The innovative, app-based service provides frequent, reliable trip options in areas where traditional bus service is inefficient.
“Expanding VIA Link service was the natural next step in realizing the Keep SA Moving plan promise to move more people faster and farther, particularly in areas where innovation is needed to deliver modern transit solutions,” said VIA President and CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt. “VIA Link – Naco Pass is home to major employment and residential centers that are helping to drive growth for our city and region and represent VIA’s mission to connect our community to opportunity.”
VIA Link passengers can travel anywhere in the zone and connect directly to bus routes at designated transfer points to travel outside the zone. The flexibility provides better frequency, decreases travel times, minimizes walking distances and offers more pick-up and drop-off locations.
