The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce joined nearly 400 business and community leaders at the 2018 State of Transit Luncheon last week. The event was hosted by VIA Metropolitan Transit and the San Antonio Mobility Coalition, and featured keynote presentations from VIA President & CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt and VIA board chair, Hope Andrade. “Our transit system is improving” Jeff Arndt said in his opening remarks.
VIA was allocated $4.3 million in the City of San Antonio’s FY18 budget and will receive $10 million in the FY19 budget to help increase frequency on 10 routes and improve travel time along seven important corridors. Routes where frequency was increased starting in January 2018, have already seen a 4.5% increase in ridership from January to March. People are using public transportation on these routes because of shorter wait times and reliable service.
Arndt outlined key components of VIA’s long-range plan. This working proposal included a sneak peek into the proposed rapid transit network. The proposed system would allow for VIA to run on dedicated lanes in all parts of the city. With an expected population increase of a million more people by 2040, it is critical that we have a rapid transit system that is reliable and offers frequent service on highly used routes. President and CEO Arndt also touched on innovative solutions that will allow for technology to improve rider experience, expand service to new markets, and explore mobility on-demand prospects.
VIA board chair, Hope Andrade concluded the program with some great news for the community – she will chair the VIA board of Trustees for one more year. Andrade emphasized the importance of investing in public transportation to ensure San Antonio’s economy continues to thrive. “I believe that right now is the time for us to deliver a world-class public transit system deserving of this great city,” Andrade said.
The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is appreciative of Chair Andrade’s commitment to public service and will continue to work and support VIA’s efforts to build a regional multimodal transportation network that supports economic vitality and moves people throughout San Antonio and the region.
