SAN ANTONIO (Jan. 24, 2017) — You wouldn’t dare forget the Alamo, skimp on Fiesta medals, or deny your Spurs pride. VIA Metropolitan Transit wants you to add chasing the bus to that list of things you would never do. In a new safety messaging campaign unveiled Tuesday, VIA urges passengers and pedestrians to “Stay Safe. Don’t Chase.” and help spread the word about the dangers of approaching a bus.
VIA’s “Don’t Chase the Bus” campaign incorporates the heart of the region’s cherished heritage and most-beloved traditions, as part of its core messaging. It also reflects the agency’s commitment as a partner in Vision Zero San Antonio, a community-wide effort to advance public safety. Citing VIA’s ongoing commitment to safety, President/CEO Jeffrey C. Arndt stressed the campaign’s key point: “There’s always another bus. There’s only one you.”
“The safety of our customers, employees, and the traveling public remains VIA’s top priority, as we work each day to connect our region,” Arndt said. “Through this campaign, we are calling attention to the potential danger associated with chasing a bus as part of our ongoing work to expand community awareness of safe travel practices.”
Arndt was joined at the podium by City of San Antonio Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales, and VIA’s Vice President of Safety, Training and System Security Tremell Brown, who reiterated the value of regional safety initiatives, including Vision Zero San Antonio, part of a larger, national effort to communicate the importance of safety for all on our roadways.
Tuesday’s event was broadcast live on Facebook. Community stakeholders, public safety partners, VIA customers and the community at large were asked to share the “Stay Safe. Don’t Chase.” message on their social media platforms using the hashtag #DontChaseTheBus, and add their own “never-dos” to the list.
For more information about VIA’s safety initiatives, including “Don’t Chase the Bus,” visit VIAinfo.net.
VIA Metropolitan Transit provides regional multimodal transportation options that connect our community to opportunity, support economic vitality and enhance quality of life throughout our region. VIA, recognized by the Texas Transit Association as the outstanding Metro Transit Authority of the year, serves 14 member cities and the unincorporated areas of Bexar County, operating seven days a week on 90 routes. In 2015, VIA provided 42.2 million rides across the region. VIA’s AAA bond rating reflects the organization’s sound management and financial practices. Visit www.VIAinfo.net for more information. Follow us on www.Facebook.com/VIATransit, www.Twitter.com/VIA_Transit, and www.Instagram.com/VIATransit.