The VIA Metropolitan Transit Board of Trustees unanimously rejected a proposal to test a six month fare-free bus pilot program requested by Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. Jones’ requested fare-free implementation for the top five most used routes in the San Antonio area, which represents 25% of ridership.
During a board meeting on Feb. 24, the trustees and multiple community members discussed the current financial situation of VIA, results of customer surveys, current operational efficiency and discount options for riders to inform the public about the fare-free proposal.
VIA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications Teri Treviño presented the results from VIA customer surveys, indicating an 87% overall satisfaction over the past five years. Topics that were customer-identified as being most satisfactory were ease of purchase, trip planning, bus stop access and fare cost. Customers-identified issues included weather protection at bus stops, weekend frequency and information about unexpected transit delays.
Supporters of the proposal, such as City Council members Jalen McKee-Rodrigues, Ric Galvan and Edward Mungia, argued that the initiative would make transit more accessible to working-class families and remove barriers for employment, education and services.
However, VIA officials warned in their meeting that the change could harm the agency’s finances and operations. Fares account for 5% of VIA’s budget; removing them could impact up to $18 million in revenues. Officials also cautioned that federal grants supporting transit projects could be jeopardized due to financial instability.
President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 694 Robert Garza brought up safety issues that could be caused by fare-free transit.
“By opening the doors to everyone, without exception, we lose the ability to protect our passengers from those who aren’t there to travel, but only there to cause trouble,” Garza argued. “You can’t put a price on safety, but you certainly shouldn’t trade it away for a political talking point.”
VIA Trustee Louis Cooper introduced the motion to decline the initiative.
“We should direct VIA management to not further pursue or analyze a [fare-free] proposal,” Cooper said. “I move that VIA Metropolitan Transit Board of Trustees, having reviewed the [analyses] presented by management and having considered the legal, financial, regulatory, safety and operational implications of fare-free transit model hereby determines that pursuing a fare free pilot or system wide fare free program is not in the best interest of VIA Metropolitan Transit.
“Further, I move the board direct VIA staff to discontinue any further analysis, development or pursuit of fare-free proposals under VIA’s operating authority, and instead to continue focus on organizational resources, on delivering the voter approved and board adopted system improvements, including enhanced frequency, reliability safety and implementation of transformative capital investments that benefit the entire community.”
Despite the rejection, fare-free initiatives may not disappear entirely. VIA’s upcoming Silver Line route is expected to offer free rides during its first year in 2029 through funding approved by Bexar County commissioners.
Current UT San Antonio students will not be affected by this decision, as the U-Pass program will not be impacted.
