Via Bus Fares: Free Rides Or Not?

VIA Metropolitan Transit offers affordable and convenient fare options for its riders. While the VIA bus fare is not free, there are several discounts available for students, senior citizens, children, disabled persons, veterans, U.S. military personnel, and Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients. Additionally, VIA offers a Semester Pass for students and a VIA U-Pass for students and employees of the University of Texas at San Antonio, providing free and unlimited bus service.

VIA offers reduced rates for students, seniors, children, veterans, and active-duty U.S. military

VIA offers a range of reduced rates and passes for students, seniors, children, veterans, and active-duty U.S. military personnel. These discounts aim to provide affordable and convenient travel options for patrons who meet specific criteria.

For students, VIA provides discounted fares and passes, as well as special semester-long passes. Elementary and middle school students can utilize reduced fares without requiring a special ID. High school, college, university, and trade school students need to present either a VIA Reduced Fare ID or a valid ID from their educational institution. Semester passes are available at all VIA Information Centers, except the Randolph Transit Center. Students must provide proof of registration, paid tuition, or a completed Semester Pass Application. VIA also offers U-Passes, which are semester-long passes available through colleges and universities participating in the VIA U-Pass program.

Seniors aged 62 and above are eligible for reduced fares and discounted passes. They can obtain a VIA Reduced Fare ID by presenting a government-issued ID that includes their date of birth. With this ID, seniors can enjoy discounted rides and free rides on weekends. Additionally, seniors can ride the bus for just 25 cents from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Children aged 5 to 13 are offered reduced fares and passes without any ID requirements. Children below the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Children 4 years old and below ride for free.

Active-duty U.S. military personnel are also eligible for reduced fares and passes. They can either wear their uniform or present a VIA Reduced Fare ID to receive these discounts. The VIA Reduced Fare ID can be obtained at any VIA Information Center, except Randolph or Ellis Alley locations, by providing proof of active-duty military status.

VIA's commitment to offering reduced rates for these specific groups demonstrates their dedication to making transportation more accessible and affordable for these communities.

VIA offers a Semester Pass for students, valid for unlimited rides for a semester

VIA offers a Semester Pass for students, which is valid for unlimited rides for an entire semester. The pass is available to students at elementary, middle, high school, college, and trade schools. The Semester Pass costs $38 and is valid for unlimited rides on VIA's regular bus service. Students can obtain a Semester Pass sticker to place on their school-issued ID, or they can get a VIA-issued goCard, which serves as the student's ID and is loaded with the Semester Pass. The Semester Pass is valid for the fall from August to December and for the spring from January to July.

To obtain a Semester Pass, students must show proof of current registration, proof of enrollment in an accredited degree plan, proof of paid or partially paid tuition, and a school photo ID. If a student does not have a photo ID, VIA can issue one for a small fee. Students attending any of the Alamo Colleges can pick up their Semester Passes from their bursar's offices, as they are included in the tuition fees. Students at certain universities can buy their passes on campus.

The Semester Pass provides students with cost-effective travel options, allowing them to save money on transportation. With unlimited rides, students can easily get to and from class without the need to maintain a vehicle or worry about parking. Additionally, VIA offers free WiFi on every bus, allowing students to stay connected, study for class, or surf the web during their commute.

VIA also offers the U-Pass, which is a semester-long pass available through colleges and universities that have partnered with the VIA U-Pass program. The U-Pass provides students, faculty, and staff with free, unlimited access to bus service anywhere in the VIA service area. This program helps address the challenges of limited and expensive parking options on or near campus.

VIA offers a Fare Assistance Program for low-income clients

VIA Metropolitan Transit offers a Fare Assistance Program for low-income clients. This program provides a 25% discount on bus passes – daily, weekly, and monthly – to eligible non-profit, social service, and governmental organizations that serve primarily clients living below the federal poverty line. Organizations that purchase these discounted bus passes can either sell them for no more than the reduced price or give them away for free to their clients.

To be eligible for the program, organizations must be 501(c)(3) non-profits, social services, or governmental/public agencies located within the VIA service area. They must also be serving clients who are low-income and/or living below the federal poverty level. Organizations can purchase the discounted passes in bulk, which include monthly, weekly, and daily bus passes, VIA Link, and VIAtrans tickets.

The Fare Assistance Program was approved as a pilot program in July 2019, with the understanding that it would address the needs of low-income San Antonians. VIA had received requests for passes to serve low-income clients, and it was recognized that transportation access is critical in helping homeless people access essential services and opportunities, such as applying for housing or jobs.

The program is similar to initiatives in other major cities, such as Houston and Dallas, which also offer reduced bus pass prices to nonprofit organizations. However, VIA CEO and President Jeff Arndt noted that VIA's regular fares are already very reasonable, and even with the discount, some individuals served by these organizations may still struggle to afford them.

VIA offers a VIA goMobile+ app for buying tickets and passes

VIA Metropolitan Transit offers a range of fare options to suit different riders' needs. While some fares are free for certain riders, the VIA goMobile+ app is a convenient way to buy tickets and passes for those who need to pay.

The VIA goMobile+ app is a next-level app that allows riders to purchase tickets and passes on their mobile phones. This is just one of the many ways VIA offers its patrons affordable and convenient fare options. Other methods include the reloadable goCard, paper tickets, or in-person at VIA Customer Service Centers and various retail outlets, including most H-E-B stores.

The VIA goMobile+ app is ideal for those who prefer using their mobile phones for transactions. It is simple and user-friendly, allowing riders to purchase their fares quickly and efficiently. The app is a safe and secure way to buy tickets and passes, ensuring that riders can plan their trips with ease.

With the VIA goMobile+ app, riders can choose from a variety of fare options, including the 31-Day Pass, 7-Day Pass, and Day Pass. These passes offer unlimited rides on all regular, Express, Prímo, and VIA Link services, providing excellent value for money. The app also makes it easy to manage your fares, with the option to reload your goCard or purchase additional tickets and passes as needed.

In addition to the convenience of mobile purchasing, the VIA goMobile+ app offers other benefits such as real-time trip planning, service alerts, and the ability to locate nearby bus stops. The app provides a seamless and integrated experience for riders, making their commute more efficient and enjoyable.

The VIA goMobile+ app is available for download on mobile devices, offering a modern and innovative way to access VIA's services. By providing this app, VIA demonstrates its commitment to offering flexible and convenient fare options that meet the diverse needs of its riders.

VIA offers free rides for seniors and riders with limited mobility on weekends

VIA's discounted fare programs are designed to provide affordable and reliable transit options for the community. In addition to seniors and riders with limited mobility, VIA also offers discounted fares for students, children, persons with disabilities, veterans, active-duty U.S. military personnel, and Medicare recipients. These discounts apply to both fares and passes, making VIA a convenient and cost-effective choice for eligible riders.

The VIA Reduced Fare ID is not required to purchase reduced fares and passes but must be presented when boarding to receive the discounted rates. Children under the age of 14 and active-duty U.S. military personnel in uniform are not required to show any form of identification. Seniors aged 62 and older can obtain the VIA Reduced Fare ID by presenting a valid government-issued ID that includes their date of birth. This ID can then be used to receive discounted fares and passes on VIA buses.

VIA also offers a Fare Assistance Program for eligible non-profit, social service, and governmental/public agencies serving low-income clients or those living below the federal poverty level. Through this program, organizations can purchase monthly, weekly, and daily bus passes, as well as VIA Link and VIAtrans tickets, at a 25% discount. This program further contributes to VIA's goal of providing accessible and affordable transportation options for those who need it most.

By offering free rides for seniors and riders with limited mobility on weekends and discounted rates during the week, VIA demonstrates its commitment to providing inclusive and budget-friendly transportation solutions for its community. These initiatives help to ensure that everyone, regardless of age or mobility, can access the services and opportunities they need without financial burden.

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