San Antonio’s VIA Metropolitan Transit is celebrating a major milestone with the dedication of its 1,000th new “Next-Gen” bus stop improvement. The shelter is part of VIA’s ongoing Passenger Amenities Improvement Program that includes the enhancement of 1,000 existing bus stops throughout the VIA service area.

With the completion of this stop, VIA now provides sheltered locations for 95% of boardings throughout its system. In keeping with VIA’s ongoing commitment to support local, small, and minority-owned businesses, nearly all of the contracts awarded for VIA’s Passenger Amenities Program went to locally-owned businesses and/or certified DBEs/SBEs.

“The flexible modular concept allows scalability to serve differing activity needs tailored to each bus stop, and is designed to incorporate elements to reflect the cultural fabric of area parks, neighborhoods, places of interest, and historic sites,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “As we plan for the transportation needs of our region, we ensure that our customers’ quality of life is enhanced with every project VIA pursues. Our priority is to connect our communities to opportunity and support economic vitality.”

The 1,000th bus stop improvement brings the total number of sheltered stops in the VIA service area to more than 2,200. The program goal of 1,000 new bus shelters system-wide was set in mid-2014.

Streamlined and modern, the new Next-Gen shelter design provides comfortable, covered seating and sidewalk and ADA improvements to assist all passengers in making travel safer and connections smoother. In 2018, VIA will begin retrofitting Next-Gen shelters with solar-powered lighting for added comfort and visibility.

The shelter program had a total project cost of $12.4 million. Approximately 73% of the work done in connection with the program went to DBE/SBE companies.