San Antonio Mayor Urges VIA to Pilot Fare‑Free Service on Busiest Routes
San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has asked VIA Metropolitan Transit to craft a plan for a six‑month pilot that would offer free rides on the agency’s five busiest bus routes, a move city leaders say is designed to test whether removing fares can boost ridership and improve mobility for residents. The mayor requested VIA submit a proposal by March 11 outlining how the pilot would be implemented, what challenges the agency foresees and potential spending offsets for lost fare revenue.
VIA officials and some transit advocates gave measured reactions. VIA President Jon Gary Herrera warned that eliminating fare collection could jeopardize federal grant eligibility and strain funding for major capital projects — including the planned Green and Silver rapid transit lines — that depend in part on the agency’s financial profile. Farebox revenue currently covers a relatively small share of VIA’s operating budget, but Herrera and agency leaders said the funding stream remains a component of long‑range plans and federal grant calculations. Council members pushing the idea argue targeted pilots or reduced‑fare programs could be paid for by reallocating sales tax revenue or by new revenue sources such as a proposed telecom tax.
The proposal arrives as the city and VIA are already experimenting with ways to expand access. City Council recently approved a District 7 initiative to provide free semester passes for middle and high school students through a one‑time funding contribution, an effort officials said will reduce absenteeism caused by transportation barriers and encourage future transit use. Supporters of a broader fare‑free approach point to such targeted programs as a pathway to expanding no‑fare service for youth, low‑income neighborhoods and other priority groups. Opponents caution that without clear replacement revenue, rapid‑transit construction and planned service improvements could be delayed.
As VIA and city leaders weigh options, next steps include VIA’s formal proposal to the mayor and continued Council debate over funding mechanisms. The pilot — if approved and implemented as described by the mayor’s office — would begin in mid‑2026 and be evaluated for impacts on ridership, cost and equity before any broader policy decisions are made.
Johnny Krenek has been connected to community news since childhood, growing up alongside the family business his parents founded—Krenek Printing. Today, he serves as Vice President and lead developer for My Neighborhood News, where he drives the digital experience and supports the team across a variety of technical and operational roles. He is passionate about building tools that help connect neighbors and strengthen communities.