San Antonio Transportation News

VIA Providing Fare-Free Connections to COVID-19 Vaccination Sites

Passengers with confirmed appointments may ride to City/County vaccine clinics

By Subcontractors USA News Provider

VIA Metropolitan Transit will offer complimentary transportation for any person traveling to or from an appointment at a City/County-sponsored COVID-19 vaccination site—including the Alamodome, Wonderland of the Americas mall and others — beginning Monday, January 11, and until further notice.

This includes regular bus service, VIA Link, and VIAtrans paratransit service. VIA bus and VIA Link passengers may present their appointment registration in print or on their mobile device, and/or their COVID-19 shot record to ride fare-free on the day of their appointment. Registered VIAtrans customers must schedule their trip in accordance with VIAtrans policies and procedures by phone or online.

“VIA offers this fare-assistance program as part of our mission to ‘connect our community’ and ensure people can reach critical destinations and services, using safe, reliable public transportation options,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “We support local efforts to expand access to the COVID vaccine and will keep doing our part to help protect the health and safety of our community.”

VIA continues to provide safe, reliable essential trip options for persons who must travel during the ongoing COVID crisis. Health and safety precautions designed to slow the spread of germs will remain in place for all VIA riders and employees, including masks over the nose and mouth at all times, safe capacity limits on vehicles to allow for social distancing, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of vehicles and facilities, frequent hand washing and other good hygiene practices.

Customers are asked to only make essential trips during this time and avoid public spaces, including public transit, if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have recently been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus.

If you plan to ride VIA to your confirmed COVID-19 vaccine appointment, here’s what you need to know:

Who can ride fare-free?

Any VIA bus, van or VIA Link passenger traveling in the VIA service area to a confirmed COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a designated City of San Antonio or Bexar County vaccination site. Please present your appointment confirmation in print or on your mobile device to the operator when boarding. You may also present the vaccine record provided when you receive your shot for the return trip. Registered VIAtrans customers must schedule their trip in accordance with VIAtrans policies and procedures by phone or online. Please mention you are traveling to a scheduled COVID-19 vaccine appointment when making the reservation.

When is the free fare available?

On the day of your appointment.

How do I know which route serves my vaccination site?

Enter the address into VIA’s Online Trip Planner or on the VIA goMobile app to find the most convenient route, or call Customer Information at (210) 362-2020.