VIA’s Green Line bus stops were approved by a City of San Antonio commission last week after the transit agency made slight changes to its designs.
The updates focused on the color of the proposed stations and additional signage at bus stops located in historical districts.
The Green Line, an advanced rapid transit bus that will move more quickly between Brooks and the San Antonio International Airport using dedicated lanes and prioritized traffic signals, is scheduled to open in 2027 or 2028.
VIA has already started work on street and sidewalk improvements. Now, it’s finalizing designs for the bus stops.
Raised platforms will hold ticket kiosks that make it easier to get on and off the bus and 26 such stations will be distributed along its 11.7-mile route.
The city’s Historic and Design Review Commission gave the green light to six of those stations on Feb. 4.
VIA agreed to make adjustments to those stations after getting feedback from the HDRC and from local residents, said Art Herrera, VIA’s director of special projects.
The six stations are in historic districts. Three are in the Monte Vista neighborhood — the northbound Elsmere, Mulberry and Woodlawn stations. One is in King William called the southbound Pereida Station. And two are in the Mission Historic District known as the north and southbound Roosevelt Park Station.
Herrera said those stations will have signage acknowledging the historical neighborhood, including a logo, written narrative and a plaque acknowledging students whose artwork was incorporated in the station design.
VIA said it would use a darker green color at those stations. Officials also agreed to use rock from a previous wall in its design for the Roosevelt Park Station.
Herrera added that digital signage at the stations could be used for messaging, as well.
“There may be an opportunity where a portion of that sign is dedicated to push out messages, not only to our riders, but also to anyone walking up and down along the station,” he said. “One of the things we could push is the logo of the neighborhood and any events coming up.”
VIA’s design was passed in a 9-2 vote.
“I do have a concern with the bulkiness and squareness of it,” said James Cervantes, one of the two members of the HDRC’s board who voted no. “They’re trying to not make it stick out. I don’t think there’s been enough change to it to do that. While I support the project and I support the changes they’ve done, I’m still a little hesitant to support the overall motion.”
The other commissioner who voted against it was Roland Garcia Mazuca.
