New program offers free VIA rides to students in effort to reduce chronic absenteeism in San Antonio Program starts Dec. 20
SAN ANTONIO – A new citywide program will allow any students between 12 to 18 years old to catch a free ride to school.
On Monday, City Council District 7 announced a $150,000 contribution to VIA Metropolitan Transit as part of a push to ensure students have reliable transportation to school.
>> How chronic absenteeism affects San Antonio schools, families and funding
“(The) reason this is important is cause we know chronic absenteeism is a huge problem in San Antonio. ... We’re trying to attack that problem,” Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito said.
The program kicks off Dec. 20. Students can request a student pass, which is valid for one year.
Read also:
Copyright 2025 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
Meet the candidates for the Texas Senate race. ▶ 0:50
Meet the candidates for the Texas Senate race.
Mountain Cedar season has begun for San Antonio ▶ 1:51
Mountain Cedar season has begun for San Antonio
Would you pay to park at La Cantera? ▶ 2:01
Would you pay to park at La Cantera?
San Antonio mural honors 'Spurs Lady' ▶ 3:25
San Antonio mural honors 'Spurs Lady'
Texas educator saves Christmas for 400 elementary students with Tik Tok plea ▶ 1:53
Texas educator saves Christmas for 400 elementary students with Tik Tok plea
President Trump weighs in on Netflix-Warner Bros. deal ▶ 0:42
President Trump weighs in on Netflix-Warner Bros. deal
Supporters head to inaugural San Antonio Marathon to support runners ▶ 0:27
Supporters head to inaugural San Antonio Marathon to support runners
Sarah Acosta catches up with runners at inaugural San Antonio Marathon ▶ 2:47
Sarah Acosta catches up with runners at inaugural San Antonio Marathon
Krampus parade returns for 2nd year to haunt downtown San Antonio ▶ 0:45
Krampus parade returns for 2nd year to haunt downtown San Antonio
Human remains found on east Bexar County property, sheriff says ▶ 1:03
Human remains found on east Bexar County property, sheriff says
Hundreds of 911 calls during July 4 floods show panic, resolve, desire to help ▶ 2:23
Hundreds of 911 calls during July 4 floods show panic, resolve, desire to help
Police: Suicide note, self-harm behavior uncovered amid investigation of Texas A&M student’s death ▶ 1:34
Police: Suicide note, self-harm behavior uncovered amid investigation of Texas A&M student’s death
Teen charged in brother’s shooting to remain in detention after violating release terms ▶ 0:44
Teen charged in brother’s shooting to remain in detention after violating release terms
Check out these space heater safety tips ▶ 1:22
Check out these space heater safety tips
Here’s what the KSAT newsroom listened to in 2025 ▶ 0:56
Here’s what the KSAT newsroom listened to in 2025
Have a child on social media? Here is how to monitor what they are up to ▶ 1:04
Have a child on social media? Here is how to monitor what they are up to
'KPop Demon Hunters' Creator Answers Fans’ Burning Questions ▶ 1:38
'KPop Demon Hunters' Creator Answers Fans’ Burning Questions
‘I wouldn’t have left you’: Good Samaritan left critically injured after Universal City hit-and-run ▶ 0:32
‘I wouldn’t have left you’: Good Samaritan left critically injured after Universal City hit-and-run
Amazon’s Prime Air drone deliveries are in full swing across San Antonio ▶ 1:26
Amazon’s Prime Air drone deliveries are in full swing across San Antonio
Castle Hills nursing home resident spreads warmth with handmade hats for San Antonio’s community ▶ 1:52
Castle Hills nursing home resident spreads warmth with handmade hats for San Antonio’s community
San Antonio could test drive lower speed limits, but funding issues may push it down the road ▶ 0:57
San Antonio could test drive lower speed limits, but funding issues may push it down the road
Body cam captures LOPD officer making false claims about business owner months before owner’s arrest ▶ 1:03
Body cam captures LOPD officer making false claims about business owner months before owner’s arrest
Mother of Texas A&M student demands answers after daughter’s fatal fall from high-rise in Austin ▶ 2:07
Mother of Texas A&M student demands answers after daughter’s fatal fall from high-rise in Austin
Do police have to wait 24 hours to declare an adult missing? ▶ 2:20
Do police have to wait 24 hours to declare an adult missing?
Ousted Alamo Trust president questions timing of resignation request ▶ 1:13
Ousted Alamo Trust president questions timing of resignation request
Previous photo Next photo