UIW latest to join VIA’s U-Pass program
As the fall semester starts for the 2019-20 academic year, VIA Metropolitan Transit is once again leading the way to moving into a new and exciting era of expanded transportation opportunities, and the agency’s partnerships with institutes of higher learning in the San Antonio region are laying the groundwork for a strong transportation future.
VIA is one of only seven transit agencies in the country that saw ridership growth last year. Much of this increase is due to the partnerships VIA has secured, especially through the popular U-Pass program with local colleges and universities. This semester, the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) becomes the latest institute to sign on to the U-Pass program, joining Alamo Colleges, the University of Texas at San Antonio, Our Lady of the Lake University, and GoCode to provide more than 100,000 active students, faculty, and school staff members with unlimited trips on regular bus service, anywhere VIA goes.
“We are excited and grateful for this great partnership and this valuable opportunity for our current students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. David Jurenovich, Vice President for Campus Life and Facilities Management at UIW. “One of the founding principles in our Mission at UIW is care for the environment. VIA has a proven history of sharing that forward-thinking vision. This partnership gives our UIW family more affordable access and another choice in transportation.”
The U-Pass is designed to provide a convenient transit alternative for the growing college and university populations across the region. Students today face tight budgets, and the U-Pass provides an option to the expenses of owning, operating, and parking a car. As a bonus, students have full access to the entire VIA system, and they can ride fare free throughout the semester by simply showing their school ID to the bus operator when boarding the bus.
VIA offers efficient, affordable travel options for students throughout the region and provides modern passenger perks like free Wi-Fi on all its buses, instant access to the Bexar BiblioTech e-library for all riders, and several frequent and direct routes. Passengers can plan trips using the VIA goMobile app and can sign up for service alerts on VIA’s web site.