A Look at San Antonio’s Upcoming Rapid Bus Line

An article by Andrea Drusch in the San Antonio Report describes how a future Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) line will operate once it opens in 2027.

The north-south Green Line is part of VIA Metropolitan Transit’s plans to bring more rapid transit to San Antonio and will connect the international airport to the city’s downtown and colonial-era missions.

“The first segment was made possible by a windfall of pandemic relief money for VIA, combined with a voter-approved one-eighth-cent sales tax for transit that starts in 2026. The agency has used some of its $270 million in pandemic relief to move the project along before the tax increment funding kicks in, while the approval of a local match allowed VIA to leverage federal money for the rest.”

The line will have dedicated center lanes in some areas and will pick up passengers from the outermost traffic lanes in others. “To reduce stop times, riders are expected to pay for the fare in advance, possibly by mobile app. No ticket will be required to board. Raised boarding platforms also will minimize stop times, allowing buses to run at more frequent, predictable intervals.” The project also includes funding for new sidewalks and pedestrian crossing improvements.

The project is hindered by conflict with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Drusch adds. “Notably, the Green Line buses must run alongside regular traffic when passing under highways, where the state retains the right-of-way.”