Ways to Move VIA Link
VIA Link is an innovative ride service that connects you to your favorite neighborhood and downtown destinations. All on your schedule. Instead of buses on fixed routes, VIA Link passenger vans operate throughout a designated zone. Book trips with an app to connect to where you want to go… when you want to go. And all for affordable VIA prices.
Book Your Ride
Book a ride when you need it — now or up to 7 days in advance with the our apps, ONLINE or by phone at (210) 655-LINK.
Now Extends to Elmendorf, St. Hedwig and Sandy Oaks
How to Ride VIA Link
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BookBook a ride when you need it — now or up to 7 days in advance .
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MeetMeet your driver at the designated pickup point
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PayVIA Link costs $1.30 per trip. VIA passes and discounts accepted.
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RideTake your ride to your destination or connect to VIA bus routes within the Link zone.
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LinkWhen transferring to a VIA bus, ask the driver for a complimentary transfer.
Southeast Zone
Service Hours: Every day: 5 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Main Transfer Point: Brooks Transit Center
Usually available within 20-30 minutes.
St. Hedwig
To/From Future East Side Transit Center or Walmart at Rigsby & Loop 410
Weekdays only: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sandy Oaks
To/From Brooks Transit Center
Weekdays only: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Elemendorf
To/From Brooks Transit Center
Weekdays only: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Connected Bus Routes:
20 – New Braunfels
32 – Steves
34 – South St. Mary’s
36 – South Presa
92 – Brooks / Medical Center Express
102 – Primo Military
552 – Loop 410 / W.W. White
Common Destinations
The Missions
Retailers, restaurants, community centers, libraries, parks
H-E-B Warehouse
Amazon Warehouse
Elmendorf
To/From Brooks Transit Center
Weekdays only: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
St. Hedwig
To/From Future East Side Transit Center or Walmart at Rigsby & Loop 410
Weekdays only: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sandy Oaks
To/From Brooks Transit Center
Weekdays only: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Naco Pass Zone
Service Hours: Every day: 5 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Main Transfer Point: Naco Pass
Usually available within 20-30 minutes.
Northeast Lakeview College
VIA Link is also available to Northeast Lakeview College. All students can use their U-Pass with VIA Link to get to and from campus.
To/From VIA Link Naco Pass Zone: Weekdays, 5 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Available within 30 minutes: Weekdays, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Available within 60 minutes: Weekdays, all other times
Connected Bus Routes:
9 – Broadway
10 – Nagadoches Skip
14 – Perrin Beitel Skip
502 – Thousand Oaks
Common Destinations
Morgan’s Wonderland
Northeast Lakeview College
Rolling Oaks Mall
Toyota Field
Retailers, restaurants, community centers, libraries, parks
Randolph Zone
Service Hours: Every day: 5 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Main Transfer Point: Randolph
Usually available within 20-30 minutes.
Northeast Lakeview College
VIA Link is also available to Northeast Lakeview College. All students can use their U-Pass with VIA Link to get to and from campus.
To/From VIA Randolph Zone: Weekdays, 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Available within 30 minutes: Weekdays, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Available within 60 minutes: Weekdays, all other times
Connected Bus Routes:
8 – North St. Mary’s
17 – IH 35 Express
21 – Kirby / Ventura
502 – Thousand Oaks
505 – Basse
509 – Hildebrand
552 – Loop 410 / W.W. White
632 – Randolph / Ventura
Common Destinations
Bexar County Office Precinct 4
Brooke Army Medical Center
Major Distribution Center Employers
Retailers, restaurants, community centers, schools, parks
VIA Randolph Transit Center
Northeast Lakeview College
Madla Zone
Service Hours: Every day: 5 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Main Transfer Point: Madla
Usually available within 20-30 minutes.
Connected Bus Routes:
46 – Commercial
51 – Nogalitos
103 – Primo Zarzamora
524 – General McMullen
Common Destinations
Palo Alto College
South Park Mall
Texas A&M University San Antonio
Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Retailers, restaurants, community centers, libraries, parks
Mainland Zone
Service Hours: Every day: 5 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Main Transfer Point: Mainland
Usually available within 20-30 minutes.
Northwest Vista College
VIA Link is also available to Northwest Vista College. All students can use their U-Pass with VIA Link to get to and from campus.
To/From VIA UTSA Main Zone: Weekdays, 5 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Available within 30 minutes: Weekdays, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Available within 60 minutes: Weekdays, all other times
Connected Bus Routes:
88 – Bandera Frequent
501 – UTSA / Leon Valley
Common Destinations
Bexar County Tax Accessor Collector
Northwest Vista College
UT San Antonio
Retailers, restaurants, community centers, libraries, parks, schools, theaters
SeaWorld
Downtown Zone
Service Hours: Every day: 7 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Main Transfer Point: Centro Plaza Transit Center, Ellis Alley Park & Ride
Usually available within 20-30 minutes.
VIA Link After Midnight is Here!
VIA Link After Midnight provides late-night rides from downtown to neighborhoods within Loop 410.
Connected Bus Routes:
3 – San Pedro Skip
10 – Nagadoches Skip
14 – Perrin Beitel Skip
17 – IH 35 Express
20 – New Braunfels
24 – East Houston
25 – East Commerce
26 – Martin Luther King
44 – Pleasanton
46 – Commercial
66 – Ceralvo
68 – Guadalupe
75 – West Commerce
76 – West Commerce Skip
89 – Poplar
92 – Brooks / Medical Center
93 – UTSA Roadrunner Express
100 – Primo Fredrickburg
Common Destinations
Alamodome
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center
The Alamo
UT San Antonio Campus
Shops, restaurants and entertainment at Market Square, La Villita, Pearl, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts and Southtown
Frequently Asked Questions
VIA LINK FAQs
General Information
VIA Link is transit service when you need it. It’s an innovative program designed to provide on-demand transit in the Northeast, Northwest and Southside San Antonio areas. VIA Link is a ride-sharing program where people may share a ride with as many as four other people. Like Uber or Lyft service, customers can request a trip through a convenient app and can begin and end a trip anywhere within the zone or connect with the regular VIA bus service to continue their trip.
It’s not a door-to-door service, rather operates in a network of designated stops within the service area. Stops could include existing VIA stops or shelters, as well as other locations set up for VIA Link.
A VIA Link vehicle will pick up customers at their chosen pickup point, which often may be an existing bus stop and take them anywhere within the zone.
The vehicles are operated by RideCo, however, they are branded with VIA Link markings as well.
Fares are the same as regular VIA bus service, but frequency and reliability have improved.
Hours vary by Zone
♦ Naco Pass Zone – Every day, 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
♦ Randolph Zone – Every day, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
♦ Madla Zone – Every day, 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
♦ Southeast Zone – Every day, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
♦ Mainland Zone – Every day, 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
♦ Downtown Zone – Every day, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The VIA Link fare is the same as regular VIA bus fares and reduced fares. That’s $1.30 per trip, with free transfers. Reduce fares for seniors, students and military apply.
You can pre-pay on the app using a credit card or when the van arrives pay using a VIA pass, transfer or cash.
Additional Information
VIA Link service offers shorter wait times and better reliability in the service area. Pickup wait times are normally between 20 and 30 minutes (some waits may be shorter or longer) from time of reservation.
On-demand trips mean you can access service when you need it, instead of having to plan your trip around a bus route schedule.
Service is provided in a van that will make short trips within the service area. Riders can’t hail a VIA Link vehicle from the curb, like they would a bus. Trips must be scheduled in advance. Riders must plan a separate bus trip to complete any trip outside the zone.
Fares are the same as VIA’s current fares and the same VIA code of conduct, service policies and regulations will apply.
Your ride booking will specify a time window of 10 minutes for pick-up. We advise you to reach your pick-up point 5 minutes before your pick-up window. As it gets closer to the time of your ride, we will send you an updated ETA. You will also receive a notification when your vehicle has arrived. Updates are sent via SMS and the <b>VIA Link app</b>. Furthermore, you have the option to use the mobile app to track your vehicle’s location in real-time as it comes to pick you up.
You will receive a notification when your vehicle has arrived to pick you up. As a courtesy to your co-riders, the driver will only wait for up to 1 minute. In order to stay on schedule, the vehicle will depart if you do not show up within the 1 minute waiting period.
When you book a ride with VIA Link you are making a commitment to the system and the driver as a schedule is created to accommodate your trip. If due to some reason you are not able to take the ride, we advise you to cancel as soon as possible.
Excessive last-minute cancellations or no-shows can result in the suspension of your user account.
You cannot change your existing ride-booking. However, you can cancel your ride and book a new ride that suits your pick-up location or destination.
If you are passenger with bike, you can book a seat with Regular(bike) option.
If you are Accessible needs passenger, you can book a seat with Accessible option. You also have the option to add up to 3 seats for any companions traveling with you.
Other passengers can book up to 5 seats with Regular option.
Do note that all passengers in 1 booking need to travel at the same time and get picked up and dropped off at the same stops.
Yes. At the end of a trip, mobile app customers will be invited to rate their ride and submit comments about VIA Link.
Overflow Information
During busy ridership activity, VIA has partnered with Uber and Lyft vehicles to reduce wait times and improve reliability.
No. Your fare stays the same regardless of whether you ride in a VIA Link branded vehicle or a partner vehicle; however, since the trip is a premium service, passes do not apply towards fare and you must have a credit card on your account to book. The fare is $1.30 per passenger.
You’ll see the driver’s name, vehicle type, and license plate in the app. Look for the vehicle details before boarding.
Yes, but it may increase your wait time. Due to high ridership activity, you will need to adjust travel times if you opt out of the Uber or Lyft ride at the time of booking.
Yes. All Uber and Lyft drivers undergo background checks and safety screenings. Learn more about their terms and conditions here.
Uber – Terms and Conditions
Lyft – Terms and Conditions
You’ll automatically be reassigned to another vehicle. You can also contact support for trip assistance.
If a user with accessible needs requests a VIA Link trip, they will continue to receive VIA Link vehicles not an Uber or Lyft.
Drivers & Safety Information
VIA has partnered with RideCo for its VIA Link pilot. RideCo is working with zTrip to provide trained drivers for quality on-demand service.
As with all VIA operators and contracted operators, all drivers must pass a background check and complete appropriate training. Additional screenings, such as drug and alcohol testing, will also be performed.
VIA Link drivers are employed or contracted by RideCo and zTrip.
As with all VIA operators and contracted operators, all drivers must pass a background check and complete appropriate training. Additional screenings, such as drug and alcohol testing, will also be performed.
Yes. Vehicles are operated by a contractor who performs background checks on their drivers, provides training, and does drug and alcohol testing.
All vehicles must comply with safety and accessibility requirements.
How to Use VIA Link
Book trips with the VIA Link mobile app (Apple App Store or Google Play), on the web, or by phone. Pay cash upon boarding the vehicle, or pre-pay through VIA’s goMobile App.
You can book a trip on VIA Link website page, however you will not receive automatic alerts about the status of your trip as you would when using the mobile app.
When you make reservation, you will be able to choose from a list of options for the pick-up and drop off times that bests suits your schedule.
Trips may be scheduled as little as 30 minutes and up to 7 days in advance.
Trip can be cancelled with the VIA Link app, online, or by phone.
Choose a date or time in advance. Bookings can be made on-demand up to 7 days in advance.
You have the option to book for multiple days with the same pick-up and drop off schedule.
For patrons without a computer, smart phone or ability to use the app, you can call (210) 655-Link [5465] to schedule your trip through a reservation center. The reservation center will be able to give you a vehicle arrival time, along with confirming your pickup and drop off location. You may also visit the VIA Link website to book a trip.
The service can also get you to a transfer point where you will have access to a regular VIA bus route that will get to your destination. You also may ride a regular VIA bus to the nearest transfer point and transfer to VIA Link to complete your trip.
Riders must be 12 years old and up to ride alone. Riders 11 and younger must be accompanied by a responsible person 12 and older. VIA’s reduced fares for children will apply.
VIA Link can provide service to destinations within the service zones and to other designated service areas such as UTSA, Northwest Vista College (see maps).
If your destination is outside its designated VIA Link zone, you may schedule a trip to one of the nearest transfers points listed below and transfer to other VIA bus routes.
Naco Pass Zone:
Naco Pass Transfer Point (Naco Pass at Uhr Lane)
Mainland Zone:
Mainland (adjacent to Walmart Supercenter)
UTSA (Oval past Peace Circle)
Northwest Vista College (Near Mountain Laurel Hall Entrance)
Madla Zone:
Madla Transit Center (1584 Cantrell, 78221)
Randolph Zone:
Randolph Transit Center (9400 IH 35 North, 78233)
Downtown Zone:
Centro Plaza (900 W. Houston St., 78205)
Ellis Alley (212 Chestnut St., 78202)
The VIA Link service operates on a stop-to-stop model and drivers cannot deviate from these stops. The stops are selected based on proximity to popular destinations while assuring safety for the customer and the driver. Note that VIAtrans customers with disabilities have to register with the VIA Link service to receive curb-to-curb service.
VIA Link service is designed to adjust to service needs in the area to keep wait times low.
Special Requests
Some VIA Link vans are equipped with bike racks that would be available by request when you book your trip.
Car seats are not required under Texas law on VIA Transit vehicles; however, you may bring your own car seat to use on a VIA Link vehicle. Please let us know you’re bringing a car seat in the special instructions area when booking your trip on the mobile app.
If you are bringing a car seat, make sure you reserve an extra seat in the vehicle so it can be secured, so your space is reserved, etc.
VIAtrans continues to operate within the zone and VIAtrans customers ride free upon presentation of their VIAtrans ID. Boarding a VIA Link vehicle will be treated like boarding the bus.
VIA Link will have accessible vehicles for patrons who need them. At the time of booking, you will need to request on the app or on the phone that you need an accessible trip.
Service animals and pets allowed on VIA vehicles will also be allowed on VIA Link trips. See VIA’s Code of Conduct for details.
Items allowed on VIA vehicles will also be allowed on VIA Link trips. See VIA’s Code of Conduct for details.
If you are carrying a particularly large package or object, you may want to book an extra seat to ensure you will have room to take it on the VIA Link vehicle.
Although you can hold smaller objects in your lap or put them on the floor, they must not interfere with the safe and speedy on-boarding and off-boarding of fellow passengers or block access and prevent use of unbooked or unpaid seats.
To talk to someone about a concern or ask a general question about VIA Link, call our Customer Service GO Line at (210) 362-2020 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Customers can submit concerns to VIA 24 hours a day, 7 days per week through the VIA Comments Form.
If you have question about the status of your current VIA Link ride, call the VIA Link dispatch line at (210) 655-LINK.
