What is the Better Bus Plan?
VIA’s Better Bus Plan is designed to deliver faster, more direct service on traditional bus routes and expand VIA Link on-demand service by evaluating VIA’s existing services to identify potential changes that could improve our transit system and create more options to get you where you want to go.
Shorter wait times
17% more people have access to high frequency (20-minutes or better) transit service.
Better service area-wide
Almost 50% of people experience an increase in their level of service during peak and midday periods.
Improved acess to job opportunities
There are 44% more jobs accessible across the VIA service area within 30 minutes on transit.
Better transit access
Low-income and minority communities have access to at least two more grocery stores during midday within 30-minutes on transit.
Minimal impact to existing stops
Less than 1% of ridership would lose service to existing bus stops.
Better Bus Plan Goals
The goal of the Better Bus Plan is to deliver faster, more direct service on traditional bus routes and expand the VIA Link on-demand service network.
Better Bus Plan goals align with the Keep San Antonio Moving (KSAM) principles of simple, direct, frequent and convenient transit:
Better Bus Plan goals:
With the Better Bus Plan, every route would offer service every 30 minutes or less between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekends.
In-Person Community Workshops
Join VIA in January for a Better Bus Plan Community Workshop
VIA invites you to attend an in-person community workshop this month to learn more about how the Better Bus Plan will help VIA improve service.
We look forward to seeing you at a community workshop, where attendees can ask questions and share feedback on VIA’s proposed Better Bus Plan. No formal presentation is planned. You may come and go at your convenience.
If you need interpretation or translation services, or you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation to attend and participate, please contact [email protected], no later than Friday, Jan. 10, 2025. Advance notice is required as some services and accommodations require time to arrange.
Supporting Equitable Transit Access
A majority of VIA’s riders use the bus to get to work. Almost 60% of riders don’t have a car in the household, so they rely on affordable, efficient transit to make a living.
Increasing accessibility and mobility is crucial to ensuring equitable access to opportunities for people and communities across San Antonio
Driven by Community Input
Attend a community event or sign up for updates to stay informed and join the Keep SA Moving conversation.
Benefits of a Better Bus
Through proposed service enhancements to VIA’s bus network, expanding VIA Link on-demand services, and exploring other innovative solutions, the Better Bus Plan would better connect more people to the places they want to go. These improvements are designed to provide riders across the city with more access to job opportunities, education, health care and other essential destinations.
Better Bus improvements will make 40% more job opportunities accessible by public transit during peak hours.
There will be 47% more grocery stores accessible during the day for low-income populations and 63% for minority populations.
Meeting the Demands of a Growing City
As San Antonio grows, VIA must adapt to meet new demands and challenges. That’s why VIA sought and received federal funding to study the changes in travel patterns after the global coronavirus pandemic and the effects on the VIA transit network and create potential solutions.
*Project schedule subject to change
Better Bus Plan Draft Bus Network Interactive Map
Use the map below to explore the Better Bus Plan’s proposed draft bus network. Tell us if you think the proposed Better Bus plan improves your trip or suggest something that might be more helpful. Let’s work together to strengthen the VIA system and get you where you want to go, faster.
Click here to view individual route profiles and learn what potential changes are proposed for each route under the Better Bus Plan.
How to use the interactive map:
To explore the map, the routes are organized in the list (top/left) by their route numbers. If you need help finding your route, you can use the search (magnifying glass icon near the top/right) by their existing numbers or by searching your destination’s address for the proposed new route number.
Share your input directly on the map:
Click on the blue speech bubble icon in the upper right-hand corner of the map to share a specific comment on the Better Bus Plan’s proposed draft bus network.
Comments posted on the interactive maps will be reviewed and considered by VIA but will not be displayed to the public. Additionally, VIA will not be able to respond directly to your comments on the map. If you would like a response from VIA, please use the feedback button at the bottom of this page to submit your comment.
If you are having trouble viewing the above map in your browser or on your mobile device, click here to view to the map in full screen.
Questions or comments?
Our Better Bus Plan relies on community input to identify riders’ most pressing needs. Help us shape the future of transit in San Antonio by sharing your thoughts on the Better Bus plan.