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SEARCHTrailblazers Armando “Rocky” Aranda and Jeffrey Arndt join VIA’s Hall of Honor for their pivotal roles in advancing accessible and community-focused transit.
Trailblazers Armando “Rocky” Aranda (bottom left) and Jeffrey Arndt (bottom middle) join VIA’s Hall of Honor for 2025.
Photo: VIA Metropolitan Transit
VIA Metropolitan Transit recently honored two individuals, the late Armando “Rocky” Aranda, Sr., and Jeffrey C. Arndt, who played pivotal roles in shaping VIA from its founding to the modern agency it is today
VIA Board Chair Laura Cabanilla, VIA President & CEO Jon Gary Herrera, VIA trustees, and others celebrated the inductees, whose families were present, during a ceremony at the VIA Metro Center Board Room, where the Hall of Honor is housed. The space was dedicated in February 2024.
The Hall of Honor was established to honor trailblazing leaders who played pivotal roles in establishing, promoting, and enhancing transit in the San Antonio region.
Aranda, who served as a trustee from 1980 to 1988, had a passion for accessible transportation that was rooted in personal experience. After surviving childhood polio, he developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. This perspective fueled his advocacy for inclusive services, including expanding VIAtrans paratransit and fare programs for seniors, students, and individuals with disabilities — efforts that continue to benefit riders today.
The Hall of Honor was established to honor trailblazing leaders who played pivotal roles in establishing, promoting, and enhancing transit in the San Antonio region.
Photo: VIA Metropolitan Transit
Arndt served as president and CEO from 2013 until January 2025, guiding VIA through a decade of bold transformation, positioning the organization as a model for innovation, sustainability, and community-centered mobility. He led the successful 2020 voter-approved referendum that established a dedicated funding stream for public transportation, enabling the start of San Antonio’s first Advanced Rapid Transit corridor, the expansion of VIA Link on-demand service, and the development of the Better Bus Plan with a strong emphasis on reliability and frequency.
A two-time Outstanding General Manager honoree of the Texas Transit Association, a recipient of its 2024 Distinguished Service Award, and the 2024 Heart of the City Award from Visit San Antonio, Arndt is widely recognized for his strategic leadership, collaborative spirit, and lasting impact on regional mobility.
Aranda and Arndt join the inaugural inductees honored in February 2024, who were Esperanza “Hope” Andrade and Marilyn G. Jones, two former chairs of the VIA Board of Trustees. Glen Hartman, Robert Thompson, and Nelson Wolff were inducted in November 2024.
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