College students can ride free for summer
If you're taking (or teaching) classes this summer at a San Antonio-area college or university, VIA Metropolitan Transit has good news: You can ride its buses and ride-share vans for free.
Students, faculty and staff involved in summer semester can make unlimited use of VIA'S Upass to get to and from campus, the transit system announced this week.
How do I use U-pass? Simply present your school ID.
Participating schools
• University of Texas at San Antonio
• A&M-SAN Antonio
• University of the Incarnate Word
• Our Lady of the Lake University
• All five Alamo Colleges District schools: San Antonio, Palo Alto, St. Philip's, Northwest Vista and Northeast Lakeview are participating.
Is U-pass valid just for certain VIA services?
No, you can ride free on the entire bus network and on VIA
Link ride-share vans. UTSA and Northwest Vista College are in Northwest Zone. A&M-SAN Antonio and Palo Alto College are in the South Zone.
What’s VIA Link?
It's an on-demand ride-sharing service in areas where VIA doesn't have bus routes. You use an app or make a phone call to summon a passenger van to take you anywhere within VIA Link zones. You can connect to VIA bus service to travel outside the zones.
Go to www.viainfo.net/link/ for more information.
Why should I use U-pass?
Here's what VIA has to say: “U-pass is designed to provide free, convenient access to public transportation and help address the challenges of growing student populations with limited parking options on or near local campuses. U-pass users can save the expense of owning and maintaining a personal vehicle, and the cost and hassle of parking. The U-pass can be used for trips anywhere in the VIA service area, and VIA buses and vans are accessible and can accommodate riders traveling with a bike.”
Where can I get more information?
Go to www.viainfo.net/ upass/.