The San Antonio City Council has approved a program to provide free VIA Metropolitan Transit bus passes to students ages 12 to 18 attending schools across Bexar County.
The funding, $150,000 from the District 7 City Council office, will cover the cost of semester passes for up to 5,500 students. The passes normally cost $38 per semester, but will now be fully underwritten for eligible students.
Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito, who represents District 7, said the program is aimed squarely at reducing chronic absenteeism by removing transportation as a barrier to getting to school…