How to apply for VIA Senior Half-Fare (Age 62+) + Free Weekend Senior Service + VIAtrans ADA Paratransit in Texas
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 serves Bexar County and San Antonio with fixed-route buses, VIA Primo rapid transit and VIAtrans paratransit. Seniors aged 62 and older — a lower age bar than the 65+ used by METRO Houston or DART Dallas — pay just 25 cents a trip between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday to Friday, and ride FREE all day Saturday and Sunday. You need a VIA Reduced Fare I.D., which costs nothing: bring a government-issued ID showing your date of birth (state ID, driver's licence, veteran's ID or passport). VIAtrans is VIA's curb-to-curb paratransit for people who cannot use the regular bus because of a disability; eligibility is based on functional ability under the ADA, not age, and is decided by application. Visit a VIA Information Center or call 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.
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Discover my benefitsWhat 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
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about VIA Senior Half-Fare (Age 62+) + Free Weekend Senior Service + VIAtrans ADA Paratransit. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may 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 — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"
Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.
Renewals
senior goCard is ongoing; VIAtrans eligibility is periodically recertified
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.