In a partnership with Centro San Antonio and the University of Texas at San Antonio, VIA Metropolitan Transit is adding a VIA Link Zone ride-hailing service in the Alamo City's downtown area.
The official launch is set for Labor Day, VIA officials said.
The new Via Link Zone will feature VIA's electric "Little Runner" circulator vehicles — named after UTSA's roadrunner mascot — as well as the company's traditional VIA Link vans.
The new Link Zone will be VIA's fifth addition to its initiative to expand and improve public transportation in the city. Its service areas will extend from Medina Street to César E. Chávez Boulevard, and from Interstate 37 to Quincy Street.
The new VIA Link zone is intended to ease movement across a downtown that is expected to be remade in the coming years with the continued expansion of UTSA's campus, the reimagining of Alamo Plaza, a new minor league baseball stadium and possibly a new Spurs arena at Hemisfair.
The VIA Link zone is designed to "connect people who live, work, and visit the busy city center and UTSA's Downtown Campus," VIA said, with Little Runner's free e-shuttles operating on a fixed loop between I-35, Dolorosa Street, Flores Street and Nueva Street.
"Offering VIA Link service downtown moves us closer to our mission of connecting the community through innovation and collaboration with partners and neighbors like Centro San Antonio and UTSA," said Jeffrey Arndt, VIA's president and CEO.
Additional VIA Link Zones include the Naco Pass Zone on the city's Northeast Side, as well as the zones in Mainland, Madla and Randolph.
"VIA Link has proved to be a gamechanger, with over 1 million passenger trips and counting," Arndt said. "This new partnership will keep us moving in the right direction as San Antonio — and VIA — continue to grow and change."
San Antonio's newest VIA Link Zone will run daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., with service priced the same as VIA's regular bus service, a $1.30 fare.
Students can use their VIA U-pass to catch a ride, while other travelers can purchase a ride through several methods:
- Through the VIA Link app
- Online at VIAinfo.net/Link
- Calling 210-655-LINK (5465) and paying using the VIA goMobile+ app
- VIA transit pass
- Cash.
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