City Council B Session - 2026-02-11
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The San Antonio City Council B Session on February 11, 2026 focused on two major briefings: Via Metropolitan Transit's progress on advanced rapid transit projects and the Better Bus Plan, and a proposal for a centralized mental health diversion center. Via reported 65% completion of its Better Bus Plan ahead of schedule, with the $480 million Green Line ART project at 100% design and construction beginning, while the $322 million Silver Line is at 40% design. Council members extensively discussed fare-free transit options, with the mayor requesting a memo by November outlining a six-month pilot for fare-free service on the top five routes affecting 24% of riders. The council also supported creating a joint city-county ad hoc committee to establish a mental health and IDD diversion center, with the city contributing $30,000 toward a feasibility study led by Dr. Alexander Testa.
Key Decisions (3)
City participation in CHCS diversion center feasibility study
Public Safety Committee approved the city's participation in the Center for Healthcare Services' RFP for a feasibility study for a potential Bexar County Jail Diversion Center. The city will contribute $30,000 toward the approximately $100,000 study. Dr. Alexander Testa from UT Health Houston was selected to conduct the study.
Creation of joint city-county ad hoc committee for diversion center
Council supported creating a joint city and county ad hoc committee to establish a centralized system for mental health and intellectual developmental disabilities diversion and recovery. Committee members would include Bexar County Sheriff, SAPD Chief, DA, judges, CHCS, University Health, Centro, ACOG, and city representatives including Councilwoman Castillo and potentially Councilwoman Mesa Gonzales.
Request for fare-free transit pilot memo
Mayor Jones requested Via provide a written memo by November outlining what it would take to implement a six-month fare-free pilot for the top five bus routes (affecting 24% of riders), including top five concerns and mitigation strategies, and how to offset 5% of budget (or 3% if telecom tax is collected). Implementation target would be January.
Development Activity (3)
Green Line Advanced Rapid Transit
$480 million project with $268 million federal funding; 25 new stations; 17 articulated 60-foot buses; 10-minute frequency; 100% design complete; early works construction underway including utility relocation; 13 new pedestrian signalized crossings; 58 intersection upgrades; 138 drainage inlets; 6.7 miles sidewalk repairs
Silver Line Advanced Rapid Transit
$322 million project with $150 million federal funding pending; 18 stations; 14 articulated buses; 10-minute frequency; 40% design complete; 4 signalized pedestrian crossings; 25+ intersection upgrades; 60+ drain inlets; 8 miles sidewalk repairs; construction start planned for 2027; completion January 2030
East Side Transit Center
New transit center broke ground last month; will serve as terminus for Silver Line service
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
Permanent supportive housing and transitional housing identified as critical gaps in mental health continuum of care, with 77% of Harris County diversion center intakes being homeless at time of admission.
Infrastructure
Via Metropolitan Transit reports 28% ridership growth and 98% customer satisfaction, with 72% of system now operating at 30-minute frequency or better, up from 30% one year ago.
Sentiment
Multiple council members conditioned support for telecom tax on Via developing a fare-free transit plan, citing that 5% of Via's budget comes from fares and public transit should be treated as a public good.
Commercial Demand
Stone Oak Park and Ride facility remains underutilized due to incomplete HOV lane infrastructure, but Via plans to establish ViaLink zone there to increase utilization and connect to major employers like JW Marriott.
Infrastructure
San Antonio identified as the most underfunded major transit agency in Texas, receiving roughly one-third the revenue of Houston Metro despite comparable service area size.