VIA seeks public input on 'Vision 2040'

Residents urged to participate in online survey

SAN ANTONIO – VIA Metropolitan Transit is asking for feedback from the public.  

The transportation agency would like residents, especially frequent riders, to fill out an online survey as VIA moves forward with its long-term planning project "Vision 2040."

The survey is in English and Spanish and only takes a few minutes to fill out. VIA encourages all input and suggestions. 

James Ellis, who depends on the bus system to get around, said VIA needs to improve.

"San Antonio is way behind. Way, way behind on the transit system," Ellis said. "There are areas that the buses don't go to."

VIA has already started to make improvements. Wi-Fi will be added to the entire fleet in September, a new bus station downtown is under construction and a faster trip is being offered to the Primo route.  Buses come every 10 minutes now on that route. 

Maria Soto, a frequent Primo rider, said if you're not on the Primo route, you're wasting a lot of time.  

"The Primo, like I said, I like it. But the other buses, they run every hour or every 30 minutes. They're not on time," Soto said.

Another frequent rider, Adam Mata, said he is just as frustrated with VIA.  

"It's too slow. They need to put more buses on the routes," Mata said.

VIA President and CEO Jeff Arndt acknowledges adding more buses is an ongoing process and there are some big future plans ahead.

"Perhaps lanes in our freeways, on our roads that would give transit some priority," Arndt said.

To access the online survey, click here.


About the Author:

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.