(Aug. 26, 2019) — UTSA, in partnership with VIA Metropolitan Transit, today launched the VIA U-Pass program. The VIA U-Pass program, originally announced in the spring, provides the university community with free ridership on VIA routes for travel between campuses and throughout San Antonio.
Through U-Pass, VIA will provide free, unlimited access to bus service anywhere in the city for current students, faculty and staff. As San Antonio’s urban serving university, the VIA U-Pass program offers cost savings and sustainable commuting options.
“This agreement with VIA will radically change the way UTSA approaches transportation,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “The VIA U-Pass will allow students, faculty and staff to easily move between UTSA’s campuses—and throughout San Antonio—with minimal environmental impact. Given our plans to increase enrollment to 45,000 in the next decade, this is a worthy investment that takes some financial pressure off our students while supporting the city’s sustainable transportation goals.”
The program makes it easier for Roadrunners to leave their cars at home, reducing congestion on campus roads and parking lots. VIA offers a wide range of routes across the San Antonio region, including Route 93, which provides convenient and quick transportation between the university’s Main and Downtown Campuses. The U-Pass program is funded fully by UTSA, in partnership with VIA, without any student transportation fee increases. Students can download the free VIA goMobile app to access their U-Pass and plan a trip.
On August 26, join UTSA and VIA representatives for the official launch of VIA U-Pass. Learn more about the program, check out a VIA bus, and hear from President Eighmy and VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt. Snap a photo with Rowdy or Buster, the VIA mascot, then head to an information table to learn more about U-Pass and VIA. Festivities kick off at 9 a.m. on the Paseo del Norte, near the Campus Oval, with remarks beginning at 9:15 a.m.
“The VIA U-Pass program will advance our efforts to reduce UTSA’s carbon footprint and alleviate on-campus traffic,” said Clay Haverland, UTSA assistant vice president for Campus Services. “We are excited to move into this new era of expanded transportation opportunities.”
