San Antonio Considers Fare-Free Public Transit, Potential Impact on Major Bus Projects
San Antonio leaders are exploring the possibility of eliminating fares on VIA Metropolitan Transit buses, a move proponents say could improve access to essential services and boost ridership. Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones has formally requested that VIA develop a pilot program for fare-free rides on its busiest routes, with a potential launch date of July 1, 2026.
The proposal has garnered support from at least three other City Council members: Jalen McKee-Rodriguez (D2), Ric Galvan (D6), and Edward Mungia (D4). McKee-Rodriguez emphasized the potential benefits for residents, stating, “San Antonio needs to use all the tools at our disposal, including fare-free transit to improve ridership and address longstanding issues like access to food, health care and employment.”
The proposed pilot program would focus on the top five busiest VIA routes, which account for approximately a quarter of the agency’s total ridership. However, the implementation of fare-free transit raises significant financial questions. Currently, fares contribute roughly 5% of VIA’s operating budget, totaling around $18 million annually.
VIA President and CEO Jon Gary Herrera has cautioned that eliminating fares could necessitate cuts to planned rapid bus projects, specifically the Green and Silver Lines. “We don’t need a memo for that, we’d stop the Green and Silver Line, to be honest,” Herrera reportedly said during a recent City Council meeting. These lines represent San Antonio’s largest-ever investment in public transit, with a combined budget of $800 million.
The Green Line, currently under construction, and the Silver Line, slated to begin construction in 2027, are designed to provide faster and more efficient bus service through dedicated lanes, raised platforms, and synchronized traffic signals. Both projects have received substantial federal funding – $268 million for the Green Line and $134.7 million for the Silver Line, with the latter still undergoing congressional review.
VIA officials have expressed concern that removing fares could jeopardize these federal grants, as the agency’s financial plan submitted to the Federal Transit Administration included projected fare revenue. Any significant changes to that plan, such as eliminating fares without a replacement funding source, could trigger a federal review.
The city is also considering alternative funding sources to offset the loss of fare revenue. A telecom tax, previously allocated to the Ready to Work program, could generate approximately $6 million annually if approved by the City Council for use by VIA. Council members McKee-Rodriguez and Mungia have indicated that the future of this tax will be influenced by the discussions surrounding fare-free transit.
McKee-Rodriguez argued that public transportation should be considered a public good, similar to libraries and parks, and accessible without charge. Mungia echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the potential benefits for families in the community.
The discussions surrounding fare-free transit are occurring alongside broader updates to VIA’s transit system. The agency is actively working to expand its workforce, aiming to increase the number of bus drivers from 900 to nearly 1,200, and is offering a $4,000 hiring incentive. VIA plans to reduce wait times on 72% of its routes to under 30 minutes by 2026 as part of its Better Bus Plan, which is currently 65% complete.
Other cities, including Boston, New York, and Kansas City, are also grappling with the feasibility of fare-free transit. Kansas City eliminated fares in 2020 but is planning to reinstate them later this year.
