SAN ANTONIO (May 26, 2016) — VIA Metropolitan Transit’s Fiscal Management division has been recognized for excellence in maintaining the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

VIA received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its fiscal year 2015-16 document, a record of the agency’s high standards in fiscal management. The award is given each year by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).

VIA provides daily service to 13 cities in the Greater San Antonio Region and unincorporated areas of Bexar County, providing more than 41 million passenger trips in 2015. The agency earned Standard & Poor’s “AAA” rating for bonds backed by revenues from the Advanced Transportation District (ATD).

“Receiving recognition for excellence in financial reporting is affirmation of VIA’s commitment to careful planning and use of our financial resources,” VIA President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt said. “This award affirms our ongoing efforts to maintain the highest level of fiscal responsibility while providing safe and reliable public transportation services in the Greater San Antonio Region.”

In order to receive the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, a governmental entity must satisfy guidelines that are designed to assess how well its budget serves as a policy document, a financial plan, an operations guide, and a communications device. Budget documents must be proficient in all four categories to be recognized.

The GFOA’s mission is to enhance and promote the professional management of governmental financial resources by identifying, developing, and advancing fiscal strategies, policies, and practices for the public benefit.

VIA Metropolitan Transit provides public transportation services to 13 cities in the Greater San Antonio Region and the unincorporated areas of Bexar County. VIA operates seven days a week on 90 routes and provided 41 million rides across the region in 2015. VIA’s mission is to enhance the community’s quality of life by providing regional and customer-oriented public transportation that is dependable, cost-effective and enticing to more riders. VIA’s AAA bond rating reflects the organization’s sound management and financial practices. Visit www.VIAinfo.net for more information. Follow us on www.Facebook.com/VIATransit, www.Twitter.com/VIA_Transit, and www.Instagram.com/VIATransit.