Just in time for Earth Day, the Alamo Area Council of Governments has honored Via Metropolitan Transit with an Air Quality Stewardship Award for the agency’s efforts to preserve demand-response public transportation services in rural areas northeast of San Antonio.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized for being a good steward of our environment,” said Via President/CEO Jeff Arndt. “As an operator of a large fleet of vehicles, our primary environmental goal is the reduction of emissions, and we are proud to partner with other public agencies to promote the use of public transportation.”
The Air Quality Stewardship Award was presented by AACOG to the partners in the Demand Response Transit Project. Following the 2010 Census, the cities of New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Garden Ridge, and McQueeney were included in a new urbanized area. As a result of this classification, these areas lost their rural public transportation status and were no longer eligible for state funding for demand-response service. Via partnered with these cities to provide funding for the continuation of this service.
“Each full bus means there are up to 40 fewer cars on our roadways,” said Via Board Chair Hope Andrade. “Via vanpools account for 19 million passenger miles traveled in the region, and demand-response services replace 16,000 or more personal vehicle trips each year. Simply put, more people using public transportation means cleaner air for everyone.”
The cities included in the partnership agreed to match VIA with funds to continue the demand-response service. Other partners recognized by AACOG include the Comal and Guadalupe County Commissioners Courts and the McKenna Foundation.
