Benefits · Transportation
How to apply for VIA Senior Half-Fare (Age 62+) + Free Weekend Senior Service + VIAtrans ADA Paratransit
VIA Metropolitan Transit — regional transit authority for Bexar County and San Antonio; operates fixed-route bus, VIA Primo bus rapid transit, and VIAtrans ADA paratransit
Who it's for
VIA Metropolitan Transit is the regional transit authority for Bexar County and San Antonio, operating fixed-route bus, VIA Primo bus rapid transit, and VIAtrans ADA paratransit. VIA's senior fare structure is distinctively generous: seniors AGE 62 AND OLDER ride for HALF FARE — a younger age threshold than the 65+ used by most peer Texas transit systems (METRO Houston, DART Dallas). Standard senior fares include a One Day Pass for $1.35 and one-way fare for 65 cents. Even more generously, seniors and limited-mobility riders can ride for ONLY 25 CENTS from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, and FREE ALL DAY on WEEKENDS, with a VIA senior goCard ID. The senior goCard ID is FREE — seniors age 62+ qualify for one free senior goCard ID by presenting a government-issued ID with date of birth (state ID, driver's license, veteran's ID, or passport). VIAtrans is VIA's curb-to-curb ADA paratransit service for individuals who cannot use regular bus service because of a disability — eligibility is functional-ability-based per ADA criteria, not age-based. VIAtrans one-way fare is $2.00 for adults. Apply for senior goCard or VIAtrans by visiting a VIA Information Center or calling VIA Customer Information at 210-362-2020.
VIA's senior fare benefit threshold of AGE 62 is younger than the age 65 used by most peer Texas transit operators (METRO Houston, DART Dallas, Capital Metro Austin) — this matters operationally for seniors in the 62-64 age band who qualify in San Antonio but not in other Texas metros. The 25-cent weekday midday + FREE weekend benefit is the most generous time-of-day senior pricing structure modeled in the Texas catalog. status_ceiling=likely_qualifies because the senior fare benefit is automatic on age verification — no income test or discretionary review. VIAtrans is a separate ADA-based eligibility process; being age 62+ does NOT automatically grant VIAtrans paratransit eligibility. Bexar County residency is required for the VIA senior goCard.
What you'll need
- For senior goCard ID: government-issued ID with date of birth (Texas driver's license, Texas ID, veteran's ID, or passport)
- For VIAtrans ADA paratransit: completed VIAtrans application + physician statement or functional assessment documenting inability to use fixed-route service
- Proof of Bexar County residency
- For paratransit: advance reservation
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 210-362-2020
Renewals
senior goCard is ongoing; VIAtrans eligibility is periodically recertified
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.