Okay, I admit I couldn't think of a "V" word I hadn't written about in the last three A-to-Z Blogging Challenges. Bob suggested I write about Via, our transit system in San Antonio. First I thought, no way, who would care about that. When I got to thinking about it, it made sense to cover the subject, being that it has to do with travel. Travel is what I love. So, here is your tutorial on Via, San Antonio's transit system.
One-way fare is $1.20 for adults, $0.60 for seniors (with a free pass) and youth. A transfer good for two hours is an additional $0.15. A $4 Day Pass is also available for unlimited rides on all regular buses and streetcars for the day indicated on the pass.
The bus picks picks up passengers directly across the street from our RV park and drops them off downtown close to the Alamo and River Walk about 15-20 minutes later. When they are finished downtown they can catch the bus back to the RV park. Bus Route 42 which picks up at the RV park runs about every half hour, seven days per week.
Once downtown, you can transfer to streetcars which go to many of the downtown sites, or Route 7 the Sightseer. The Sightseer Route goes to the Sunken Garden at Brackenridge Park, the San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio Art Museum, and San Antonio Botanical Gardens.
If you want to walk or ride your bike downtown, you can catch the bus back. Via buses are equipped with bike racks on the front of their buses.
It should be noted that parking in downtown San Antonio runs from $5-$10 for surface lots a few blocks from downtown, to upwards of $20 at a parking garage. Special event parking is even more expensive. For example, surface lots close to the Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA) event were $30.
The bus ride south from Travelers World takes you to Mission San Jose and across the street from Walmart.
Think of all the other cities that have transit systems. If you're willing to be adventurous, take the bus. Think of all the money you will save. You can read or look around while someone else drives, save wear and tear on your vehicle, avoid driving in heavy traffic, and let someone else drive through construction areas.
