87. VIA's Jeff Arndt Rides off

big city small town with Bob Rivard

This week’s guest is Jeff Arndt, who has served for 13 years as president and CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio and Bexar County’s public bus system. Listen as Arndt discusses his career at VIA ahead of his retirement, the challenges and victories of public transportation in San Antonio.

In this episode of Big City Small Town, we sit down with Jeff Arndt, who recently retired after 13 years as CEO of VIA Metropolitan Transit and a 40-year career in public transportation. Jeff reflects on his time leading San Antonio’s transit agency, the challenges of funding and expanding public transit, and the major projects that will shape the city’s transportation future.

What We Cover in This Episode:

• VIA’s biggest wins and challenges—from expanding service to securing funding for San Antonio’s first rapid transit lines.
• The future of public transit—how VIA’s Green Line will transform mobility in the city.
• Equity & accessibility—why Jeff believes reliable public transportation is a lifeline for working-class San Antonians.
• What’s next for Jeff—his plans for retirement, life beyond transit, and what he’ll be watching in San Antonio’s future.

As the city encounters both challenge and opportunity with growth, affordability, and mobility, public transit remains a key piece of the puzzle. Listen in as Jeff shares his insights on what it will take to build a more connected and accessible San Antonio.

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RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE(S):

▶️ #86: The State of Cycling in San Antonio – A conversation on the future of biking in San Antonio and how cycling fits into the city’s evolving transportation landscape.

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