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San Antonio council approves pilot to provide free VIA semester passes to middle and high school students
Summary
City council approved a pilot program to fund VIA semester passes for students ages 12–18, an initial District 7 commitment of roughly $150,000 will cover this phase; community leaders and educators urged the move as a practical step to reduce chronic absenteeism.
San Antonio City Council approved a pilot to provide no-cost VIA semester passes for middle and high school students as part of a consent agenda on Jan. 15, 2026.
The pilot — which councilmembers said launched Dec. 20 and is already enrolling families — is funded initially with a commitment from District 7 and is intended to test whether free passes increase daily attendance and reduce chronic absenteeism. Councilwoman Marina Aldrete Gabito described the initiative as an 'initial investment' from her office budget and said staff and partners will work to refine and scale the program.
Why it matters: Local educators and community groups said transportation is a significant barrier to…
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