$290 Million will be used to fund a new rapid transit line that would run through downtown and connect San Antonio’s east and westside. The VIA Rapid Silver Line will run east and west along Commerce Street all the way from General McMullen, through downtown, and stop near the Frost Bank Center.
“One of the significant agenda items was the approval of the VIA ATD Silver Line,” said Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai.
The VIA Rapid Silver Line is part of the Keep San Antonio Moving project that voters approved back in 2020.
This part of the project is expected to cost $290 Million. We asked Bexar County Commissioners about spending that type of money. Bexar County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores said every penny is needed.
“Growing up here in San Antonio we didn’t have a car and often times we didn’t have money for the bus so when we did, we rode the bus, and it took all day to get to the other part of town,” said Clay-Flores.
So where will that money come from?
Close to $147 Million will come from federal funds, $42 Million will come from the local VIA office, and Bexar County will have to fund the remaining $100 Million. That money is already being collected and people won’t see any tax rate increases.
“So that fund, that sales tax has been collected since 2004ish, it will not increase as a result of this action, it will just continue to be collected,” said a VIA representative.
Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai said the Rapid Silver Line won’t just improve public transportation in San Antonio, it will also help bring economic development all along the route.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to provide economic development along that line o it’s not just a bus line it’s an opportunity to really help that particular area,” said Judge Sakai.
If everything goes as planned, the Rapid Silver Line could be in service in 2029.
