San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit and community leaders celebrated the launch of the agency’s sixth VIA Link Zone.

The Link Southeast zone began service on November 3 and covers a large swath of the Southeast and East Sides, including the Brooks Transit Center and the future Eastside Transit Center.

“Every investment we make helps build a system that’s growing with our region and reflecting our priorities,” said President/CEO Jon Gary Herrera. “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.”

The VIA Link Southeast Zone

The 13.8-square-mile VIA Link Southeast zone operates from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, with an expected wait time of 20 minutes or better. 

VIA Link Southeast also adds nine new satellite stops, including one in Sandy Oaks that operates 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

“The implementation of this zone is just one example of the ripple effect that public transit can have,” said Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran. “In turn, the Southeast Zone will catalyze stronger mobility and greater access, delivering benefits we can all share.”

Success with Microtransit Programs

VIA launched what’s now known as the Naco Pass Zone as a pilot program in 2019 on the city’s Northeast Side. 

The agency has launched several since, including Mainland, anchored by the UT San Antonio main campus on the Northwest Side; Madla, serving 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 now provides VIA Link service Downtown in an Innovation Zone, which also includes service connecting UT San Antonio buildings across the center city.

Introduced as a “smart transit” solution, VIA Link is a convenient, app-based rideshare service that provides more flexible trip options, offering transit service when and where people need it, for the same regular and discounted fares across the system. 

The service allows VIA to offer more frequent, reliable trips in areas where bus routes are difficult to operate, such as suburban zones, or where multimodal options can enhance service, said VIA officials.