VIA ReadAlong – March 2019

Score a touchdown when you ride VIA with a Commanders Combo Deal

Win big with the Commanders Combo this season. How? Take VIA Park & Ride to San Antonio Commanders home games and get a discounted ticket to the game.

The Commanders Combo starts at $20, including your Park & Ride fare and game ticket. Visit our San Antonio Commanders Page and click on “Commanders Combo.” Park & Ride tickets will be issued through VIA’s goMobile ticketing app.

Purchase tickets any time by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before each game. Fans will receive an email from VIA no later than the Friday before the football game with instructions to redeem the VIA tickets.

Park & Ride Service to Commanders home games will be provided from the Crossroads Park & Ride, 151 Crossroads Blvd. and the Madla Transit Center, 1584 Cantrell. Service will begin two hours before game time, and return service will run for one hour after each game.

PARK & RIDE

CELEBRATE MANU

Park & Ride Service
to Jersey Retirement

The San Antonio Spurs will honor Manu Ginobili with a jersey retirement ceremony, when the team hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers March 28. Use VIA’s convenient Park & Ride service to the game and watch the No. 20 jersey hoisted onto the rafters at the AT&T Center.

Fans can enjoy Park & Ride Service to every Spurs home game from Crossroads and Randolph Park & Ride locations. Visit or VIA Spurs page for details.

Service to Spurs game runs one hour prior to tipoff and return service runs one hour after the end of each game.

UPCOMING GAMES and
OTHER PARK & RIDE EVENTS

SAN ANTONIO SPURS

FIESTA

APRIL 18-28, 2019

TEXAS FOLKLIFE FESTIVAL

JUNE 7-9, 2019

VIA PROFILE

TRANSIT

Making a Difference

Bonnie Prosser-Elder
named to San Antonio
Women’s Hall of Fame

Bonnie Prosser-Elder has had a long and distinguished career at VIA, celebrating 30 years with the agency and another major milestone this month.

The Senior Vice President of Legal and VIA’s General Counsel will be inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame on March 23.

“I never thought my career would play out like this,” Prosser-Elder said. “I grew up on the East Side; opportunities were limited. But people were there to identify and create opportunities. You participate in experiences that expose you to those opportunities. It’s all part of the building blocks.”

She is being recognized for her three decades of work at VIA and her extensive contributions to the community, which include the Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated; Junior League of San Antonio; San Antonio Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, and many more.

Prosser Elder, who graduated from St. Gerard High School, and did her undergraduate and

law school studies at the University of Texas at Austin, said the nomination surprised her.

“I was like, ‘Hello, let me drop the phone and make sure it’s real,“ she joked. “There are notable people in that group of phenomenal women. I’m joining the ranks of great women; I’m truly humbled and honored.”

Prosser-Elder’s work at VIA has seen its challenges, which have helped her and the agency improve, she said.

“Transit is a critical part of our city’s infrastructure and it’s important that people don’t just acknowledge it, but truly understand it,” she said. “Transportation impacts everyone, and I get to be a part of the collaborations that improves that. Transportation projects don’t happen quickly, but watching them come to fruition has been one of gratifying parts of my job.”

We’re Celebrating Transit Driver Appreciation Day

Remember to thank a VIA operator on March 15

Celebrate Transit Driver Appreciation Day with VIA on Friday, March 15. It’s a day to say thanks to bus and van operators for their service to keep our community connected.

DID YOU KNOW?
• VIA employs 1,435 operators.
• VIA operators keep 510 buses and 139 vans moving each day.
• VIA Operator Jesse Quintero is the longest-serving bus driver in the country with over 50 years behind the wheel.

A FEW WAYS TO SAY THANKS:
• Smile or wave as you’re boarding.
• Say “thank you” when you get to your destination.
• Say thanks on social media using hashtag #TDAD.
• Submit an official commendation with our online comment card at VIAinfo.net/contact.

COMMUNITY

TECHNOLOGY

Sister City Celebration

New bus honors San Antonio Sister City Darmstadt, Germany

A new Nova bus designed with the colors of San Antonio’s Sister City, Darmstadt, Germany, is now in service and honoring our relationship
with the Darmstadt community. San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, Darmstadt Lord Mayor Jochen Partsch, and VIA Board of Trustees Chair Hope Andrade introduced the bus at a ceremony outside the Tobin Center in February.

Darmstadt officials recently named a tram for San Antonio and includes the city’s official coat of arms. Likewise, VIA partnered with the city’s International Relations office to design the bus that includes the Darmstadt name, coat of arms, and official colors.

VIA President and CEO Jeff Arndt, VIA Board Vice Chair Bob Comeaux, and VIA Board Member A. David Marne, also attended the dedication and ceremonial first ride by dignitaries from Darmstadt. Andrade said despite an ocean separating San Antonio and Darmstadt, the two cities are much alike with deep ties to their respective history and heritage, while always looking toward a better future, including advancements in public transportation.

Tech + Transit = Smart Solutions

Codeathon winners recognized for top designs

VIA announced the winning teams for the 3rd Annual VIA GoCodeSA Codeathon, a partnership event designed to bring together the best coders, designers, and tech minds in the area to compete for cash and prizes as they turn bright transit ideas into potential transit innovation for our region. To learn more about Codeathon, visit GoCodeSA.com.

OPEN INVITATION CATEGORY:
WINNER:TEAM VANTAGE PARTY
Paola Fernandez, Andres Ibarra, Miguel Parada, and Surya Boja
ENTRY: An automated people counter using body tracking software and video feeds for an accurate, real-time count of passengers on the bus.

QUICK TRIP ENHANCEMENT CATEGORY:
WINNER:TEAM PIXEL
Paola Fernandez, Andres Ibarra, Miguel Parada, and Surya Boja
ENTRY: An automated people counter using body tracking software and video feeds for an accurate, real-time count of passengers on the bus.

AUGMENTED REALITY CATEGORY:
WINNER:FROST SYNDICATE
Paola Fernandez, Andres Ibarra, Miguel Parada, and Surya Boja
ENTRY: An automated people counter using body tracking software and video feeds for an accurate, real-time count of passengers on the bus.

NEWS

Project Updates

Brooks Transit Center

The Brooks Transit Center is scheduled to open later this year as the south-end hub for the new Prímo 102. Bus lane connectors to S. New Braunfels and Sidney Brooks are completed, along with new sidewalks along Sidney Brooks, which will connect to the transit center and The Greenline, Brooks’ newest linear park.

Kel-Lac Transit Center

The new bus lanes for Prímo service at Kel-Lac are nearing done, and work is started on the new boarding platforms. All the underground drainage structure has been finished, and the overall project should be ready for service in late summer. The transit center will provide new stops for the Prímo 102 route along Military Drive to the Brooks Transit Center.

ABOUT VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT

VIA connects our community to opportunity, supports economic vitality, and enhances quality of life throughout our region. VIA, recognized by the Texas Transit Association in 2018 as the
Outstanding Metro Transit Authority of the year, serves 14 member cities and the unincorporated areas of Bexar County, operating seven days a week on 92 routes. Last year, VIA provided nearly 40 million rides across the region. VIA’s AAA bond rating reflects the organization’s sound management and financial practices. Visit VIAinfo.net for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

HOW TO REACH US

VIA METROPOLITAN TRANSIT
800 W. Myrtle,
San Antonio, TX 78212
Customer Service: (210) 362-2020
VIAtrans Scheduling: (210) 362-5050

STAY CONNECTED WITH VIA

Online: VIAinfo.net
Facebook: /VIATransit
Twitter: @VIA_transit
Instagram: VIAtransit

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