Converse voters to decide whether city should leave VIA
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — Converse voters will soon decide whether the city should withdraw from VIA Metropolitan Transit, potentially ending bus and VIAtrans service within the city.
The Converse City Council has ordered an election on whether VIA should continue serving the city.
City leaders say the move could eventually allow Converse to redirect the half-cent sales tax currently funding VIA toward other needs, including police, fire, streets and parks.
VIA receives about $2.1 million a year from Converse through the tax, according to VIA officials. Converse projects that revenue could grow to about $2.4 million in 2027 and $3 million by 2030.
But the money would not immediately become available to the city.
Under Texas law, a municipality leaving a transit authority must pay its share of the authority’s financial obligations.
VIA officials estimate Converse’s obligation could be $13 million to $14 million, potentially taking up to seven years to pay.
If voters approve the withdrawal, VIA says buses could continue traveling through Converse but would no longer stop at the city’s 37 bus stops. VIAtrans rides also could no longer begin or end in Converse.
The potential change could affect thousands of rides. VIA says about 1,400 rides originate in Converse each week, while roughly 1,500 rides travel into the city.
VIAtrans, which provides paratransit service for people with disabilities, recorded more than 14,000 trips through Converse in fiscal year 2025.
Converse City Manager Stan Farmer said the city is developing plans for a replacement transportation system that could cost less and be free for riders.
The city has not finalized those plans but says it expects to have a proposal in place by the election.
Meanwhile, VIA continues to operate service in Converse, including Route 502, which connects the city with northeast San Antonio and other destinations.
For residents who depend on public transportation, the election could determine whether Converse keeps its existing VIA service or moves toward a city-run alternative.