Plenty of San Antonians ride VIA for free — and plenty more ride for half price without knowing it. College students ride unlimited at no cost. Seniors ride free on weekends and for a quarter on weekday middays. And if you are 62 or older, have a disability, have Medicare, serve on active duty, or are a student, every fare you buy should be half price.
Here is the full picture, straight from VIA’s own fare pages: who rides free, who rides for less, and exactly how to get the pass or ID that makes it happen.
Who rides VIA completely free
- College students, faculty, and staff — the U-Pass. The VIA U-Pass gives unlimited rides on regular bus service, Prímo, Express, Park & Ride, and VIA Link, free each semester, at participating schools — including UTSA, the Alamo Colleges, and Texas A&M University–San Antonio, among other partner schools. Depending on your school, you ride with the VIA goMobile+ app (using your school email) or by showing your school ID. If you are enrolled, check your school’s listing on VIA’s U-Pass page before you pay for a single ride.
- Seniors and riders with limited mobility (with a VIA ID) ride free on weekends — all day Saturday and Sunday. On weekdays, the same riders pay just 25 cents between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. (the “Off-Peak Special”).
- VIAtrans riders — and their personal care attendant and one companion — ride regular bus and special-event service free with a VIA ID.
Who rides for half price: the reduced fare
VIA’s reduced fare is half price on everything. You qualify if you are:
- a child age 5–13
- a senior, age 62 or older
- a Medicare recipient
- a person with a qualifying disability
- active-duty U.S. military
- a student
| Fare | Full price | Reduced price |
|---|---|---|
| Regular bus (single ride) | $1.30 | $0.65 |
| Express bus | $2.60 | $1.30 |
| Day pass | $2.75 | $1.35 |
| 7-day pass | $12.00 | $6.00 |
| 31-day pass | $38.00 | $19.00 |
Transfers are free and good for 2.5 hours (an extra fare applies if you transfer up to an Express bus). VIAtrans paratransit costs $2.00 for adults and $0.90 for children.
How to get your reduced-fare ID
The discount runs on a free Reduced Fare goCard ID from VIA: the card is coded so the fare box applies your half price automatically.
- Seniors 62+: you qualify automatically. Visit any VIA Customer Service location with a government-issued ID to get your senior goCard ID. The first one is free (a replacement costs $3), and it renews every five years.
- Everyone else on the list: ask at any VIA Customer Service location about the reduced-fare goCard ID for your category.
- Where to buy passes: the VIA goMobile+ app, a reloadable goCard, any VIA Customer Service Center, or retail outlets including most H-E-B stores.
One more way groups save
If you work with a nonprofit or agency that serves low-income clients, VIA’s Fare Assistance Program sells passes and VIA Link/VIAtrans tickets in bulk at a 25% discount to eligible 501(c)(3) and government organizations. Contact VIA Customer Relations at 210-362-2310.
Riding to a job, a clinic, or a food pantry?
Transportation is the number-one help San Antonio families look for on our site. Our free checker reviews rides along with food, rent, utility, healthcare and childcare help, matched to your situation.
Rather have us do the legwork? Apply for Me is our free service — tell us your situation once and we send you a personal guide to your matches.
Related guides
Helpful links & phone numbers
- VIA fares (official): viainfo.net/rates
- VIA U-Pass (students & staff): viainfo.net/upass
- VIA goCard / reduced-fare ID: viainfo.net/gocard
- VIA Customer Relations: 210-362-2310
- Texas 2-1-1 (free, 24/7, all kinds of help): dial 2-1-1
Fares and program rules are VIA’s and can change — this page reflects VIA’s published fares as of October 2026. Check viainfo.net before a big purchase like an annual pass.
Free food, free rides, free clothes, free furniture and more — all in one place.
