SAN ANTONIO – As the new school year approaches, parents across San Antonio are preparing daily routines to ensure their children make it to and from school. However, for many families, the lack of reliable transportation poses a significant challenge, impacting students’ ability to attend classes consistently.
A report by Attendance Works, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing chronic absenteeism, highlights transportation as a critical factor contributing to students missing school. This issue is particularly pronounced for students attending Triumph Public High School, which offers classes outside of traditional hours. Here, students often find themselves needing to navigate their own way to school.
Timothy Blevins, a student at Triumph, shared how the Via Student Pass significantly alleviated his worries about getting to class. “It’s a huge weight off of my chest, just like finally got lifted off,” he expressed, emphasizing the relief that comes with having a dependable transportation option.
Before the introduction of the Via Student Pass, students struggled even with the most affordable transportation options. The regular fare for VIA is $1.30 each way, and a student semester pass costs $38, which can be a strain for those without jobs. “I used to worry a lot about it, like sometimes I wouldn’t even have a dollar,” noted Santana De La Cruz, another student at Triumph.
Some students even turned to rideshare services, which can be costly. Blevins explained, “It’s around like 17 to 20 bucks to at least get here,” adding that the total cost for a day could reach $30-$40.
District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito highlighted the importance of transportation in the context of chronic absenteeism, which is defined as missing 10% or more of the school year. “Transportation is so important, and when we see the issue that we have in San Antonio of chronic absenteeism… We know that if they’re not in school, they’re not set up to succeed later on,” she stated.
To combat this issue, Alderete Gavito’s office has partnered with VIA to provide free annual bus passes for students ages 12 to 18. “This is open to all students, whether it’s public school, charter school, private school,” she emphasized, aiming to ensure that students have the means to attend school consistently and address transportation needs beyond the classroom.
How to Register
Students can register for the free pass through VIA’s student passes website. Students who are 12 will need a parent or guardian to submit the application. The initiative is backed by a $150,000 investment from District 7, allowing VIA to establish the program.
The pass will be valid through July 2027. De La Cruz noted, “It makes me worry less about the money,” while Blevins remarked, “No spending money on Ubers, trust me, that’s a lot of cash to spend.”
Moreover, the student pass is available not only for those who rely on public transport but also for students seeking a backup option. This initiative aims to eradicate transportation barriers, allowing students to focus on their education.
According to recent data, two local school districts, North East ISD and San Antonio ISD, reported chronic absenteeism rates between 19% and 36% for their student populations in the last academic year. NEISD reported 11,554 students were chronically absent out of 58,487 students (19.8%), while SAISD reported 15,607 students were chronically absent out of 42,385 students (36.8%).
Ultimately, the goal, as articulated by Alderete Gavito, is to eliminate transportation as a barrier for students striving to achieve their educational goals.
