By Edmond Ortiz
A dedicated rapid bus service serving San Antonio’s East and West sides will not open until 2029, but passengers interested in the planned service can find out more about it by visiting a newly opened information office.
What you should know
Officials with VIA and local governmental organizations and partners gathered Nov. 10 to mark the opening of VIA’s Rapid Silver Line project office at VelocityTX, 1305 E. Houston St.
The Silver Line will offer faster bus rides between San Antonio’s traditional East and West sides using high-frequency service, upgraded stations with amenities, dedicated bus lanes, bus-friendly traffic signals, off-board fare collection, and level boarding platforms.
The Silver Line will complement the similarly designed north-south Rapid Green Line, which VIA is building from the San Antonio International Airport through downtown and Southtown to the Brooks Transit Center. The Green Line is expected to open between late 2027 and early 2028.
VIA officials said both the Silver and Green Lines are expected to run every 10 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends.
What they are saying
VIA officials said both Rapid lines will shorten travel time, and enhance reliability and safety along highly traveled corridors with additional infrastructure improvements.
“We all know the immense change our region is experiencing. Our population and our local economy are growing, and the way people move is evolving,” VIA board Chair Laura Cabanilla said in a statement.
“This project represents not just new transit service — it represents new opportunity, new economic growth, new energy and better quality of life for our communities. It’s a visible commitment to how we are delivering improved service for every part of our city.”
According to a press release, VIA’s project offices will function as places where visitors can get information about the Rapid lines and other VIA projects, ask questions, provide feedback and engage with VIA staff.
“These projects embody our ongoing commitment to build with, and for, our customers and our region,” VIA President and CEO Jon Gary Herrera said in a statement.
“The opening of this Silver Line Project Office is another step forward in that journey. It’s a milestone in transparency, collaboration and community investment — and we at VIA are incredibly proud to be part of it.”
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai took part in the Nov. 10 event, where he presented a ceremonial check from the county for its remaining $22 million contribution toward the project; the county is providing a total of $102 million to help the city of San Antonio and VIA to leverage federal transit money in developing the Rapid lines.
“On the East and West sides of our community, we see neighborhoods that have long been in need of additional investment and economic development. The VIA Rapid Silver Line is one of those game-changing projects that will help make that happen,” Sakai said in a statement.
“I’m optimistic that this investment will bring new life to areas that have been waiting for a fair share of growth. By connecting the East and West sides, we’re building a stronger, more inclusive future for all of Bexar County.”
The East Side Silver Line office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. VIA’s West Side office on Buena Vista Street is slated to open later this year.
“VIA’s expansion to the VelocityTX campus represents a strategic alignment of transit, innovation, and inclusive growth on San Antonio’s East Side,” President and CEO Rene Dominguez said in a statement.
“The Silver Line Advanced Rapid Transit corridor will be a vital connector linking people, ideas, and opportunity, and its proximity to our campus perfectly complements our vision for inclusive economic growth by ensuring that the infrastructure and investment shaping this district translate into accessible opportunity for residents, businesses, and the workforce we’re building for the future.”
