VIA offers reduced rates on fares and passes for riders who qualify. These discounts are available for:
Reduced Fares
A VIA Reduced Fare ID or Student ID is not required to purchase Reduced Fares and Passes, but must be presented when boarding to be eligible for discounted rates. Children and active-duty U.S military in uniform are not required to show ID.
VIA offers student discounts on fares and passes. VIA also offers special semester-long passes just with the students in mind. With these discounts and free WiFi on every bus, you can save money, study for class, and surf the web on your way to or from campus or everywhere else VIA goes.
VIA Semester Pass and U-Pass
VIA’s semester-long passes provide all-you-can-ride benefits and are valid anywhere VIA goes.
VIA Student Pass
Eligible students ages 12 to 18 can apply for a complimentary VIA Student Pass and enjoy unlimited rides on VIA buses, VIA Link and VIAtrans throughout the school year while funding is available.
A limited number of complimentary Student Passes are available, so families are encouraged to apply early while funding remains available.
Applying is quick and easy. Learn about eligibility, application options and how to receive your Student Pass.
U-Pass
U-Passes are semester-long passes available through colleges and universities that have opted into the VIA U-Pass program. Learn about about the VIA U-Pass and participating colleges or universities.
Where can I get a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
Reduced Fare IDs are available at no cost for qualifying students if the school does not provide student IDs, and are available at all VIA Information Centers, except Randolph.
What is required for VIA Reduced Fare ID?
High School Students
- Proof of registration, or
- Completed Semester Pass application.
Local College/University Students
- Proof of registration/enrollment in an accredited degree plan, and
- Proof of paid tuition.
Trade School Students
- Proof of registration/enrollment in program to obtain a trade license or certification, and
- Proof of paid tuition, including pre-paid/covered by school or via a scholarship.
In addition to qualifying for reduced rates on fares and passes, seniors age 62 (with proof of age) and older only pay 25 cents per trip 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Friday and receive free rides Saturdays and Sundays.
How do seniors get their discounts?
- Seniors need to present a VIA Reduced Fare I.D. when boarding the bus in order to pay reduced fares or use discounted passes.
What is required to obtain a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- Seniors age 62 and older must present a government-issued ID with date of birth (state ID, driver’s license, veteran’s ID, or passport).
Where can I get a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- The VIA Reduced Fare ID is available at any VIA Information Centers except the Randolph Transit Center.
VIA offers reduced fares and passes for children 5-13 years old. There are no ID requirements to receive these discounts.
Children 4 years and under ride free. Children below the age of 12 must be accompanied by a responsible party.
VIA offers discounts on fares and passes to persons with certain disabilities including veterans.
How do riders with disabilities get their discounts?
- Riders with certain disabilities including veterans need to present a VIA Reduced Fare I.D. when boarding the bus in order to pay reduced fares or use discounted passes.
Where can I get a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- The VIA Reduced Fare ID is available at any VIA Information Centers except the Randolph location.
What is required to obtain a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- Persons with certain disabilities can download the Reduced Fare Application or acquire one from VIA’s Information Centers.
- Veterans who hold a disability rating for aide and attendance, housebound or permanent and total disability rating at the 80-percent level must have written documentation from the Department of Veterans Affairs verifying their disability rating.
Active-duty U.S. Military can pay reduced fare or use discounted passes when riding VIA. VIA offers convenient routes that serve destinations throughout the region, including JBSA-Lackland and JBSA-Fort Sam Houston to the USO Downtown.
How do Active-duty U.S. Military get their discounts?
- To receive VIA discounts, Active-duty U.S. Military can either be in uniform or present a VIA Reduced Fare ID.
What is required to obtain a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- In order to receive a VIA Reduced Fare ID, please provide proof of active-duty military status.
Where can I get a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- The VIA Reduced Fare ID is available at any VIA Information Centers except the Randolph location.
VIA offers reduced fares and passes for Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance recipients with a VIA Reduced Fare ID.
Where can I get a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- The VIA Reduced Fare ID is available at any VIA Information Centers except the Randolph location.
What is required to obtain a VIA Reduced Fare ID?
- A valid Medicare Card, a government issued ID, and/or a Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) award letter or Social Security benefit statement.