On Feb. 11, VIA Metropolitan Transit briefed the San Antonio City Council on the current status of the transit system’s multifaceted upgrade, including an update on the Better Bus Plan, the Advanced Rapid Transit Green and Silver lines, and technology and safety upgrades.

Two-minute impact: Presented by VIA leadership, including VIA board Chair Laura Cabanilla and Jon Gary Herrera, VIA president and CEO, the progress report touched upon funding, competition, the use of the new sales tax, planning and ridership.

“What you are seeing is a generational shift in how this agency operates, how we serve our riders and how we compete for the future of the mobility of the region, forever changing the way we are moving San Antonio forward,” Cabanilla said.

A closer look: The Better Bus Plan is a six-year plan designed to create a faster, more direct service on traditional bus routes. Currently, 65% of the plan is estimated to be implemented by the end of 2026.

A new fitness club has opened in the Alamo City as a nationwide gym chain continues to expand in Texas.

Latest update: TruFit Athletic Clubs opened a new gym in North San Antonio on Jan. 5, according to a news release from the company.

It’s situated at 2323 Lockhill Selma Road, just outside Castle Hills in the Lockhill Village shopping center.

“We’re thrilled to be expanding our footprint in San Antonio with the addition of our newest location at Lockhill,” Joe Pritchard, the CEO of TruFit Athletic Clubs, said in the release.

It’s the fitness chain’s eighth location in the San Antonio area, with others on the city’s North and West sides, according to the gym’s store locator tool.

The gym chain has a total of over 40 locations across the country, spanning from Tennessee to El Paso.

“At TruFit, community is at the heart of everything we do,” Pritchard said.

• 2323 Lockhill Selma Road, San Antonio

Check out this roundup of events going on in the San Antonio area this February and March, from festivals to free dance lessons and more.

South Texas Collegiate Classic
This special rodeo competition will feature over 450 student-athletes from seven colleges across Texas.

• March 5-7, 7 p.m.
• Freeman Coliseum, 3201 E. Houston St., San Antonio

• March 7, 9 a.m.-noon
• Joske Pavilion, 531 Brackenridge Way, San Antonio

• March 7, 8 a.m.
• 9606 Bandera Road, San Antonio

Digestive and Liver Disease of San Antonio, or DLDSA, and Día Health celebrated the grand opening of its new Live Oak location Feb. 10 at 12315 Judson Road, Ste. 318.

Although the clinic celebrated its grand opening Feb. 10, the clinic initially opened Dec. 2.

Some details: DLDSA and Día Health offer a comprehensive range of services designed to support physical and mental well-being, according to a news release from the city's economic development corporation.

The practice offers primary care services and mental health care services, the release states.

• 12315 Judson Road, Ste. 318, Live Oak

Thousands of students who apply for Texas’ education savings accounts will likely not be accepted into the first year of the program, application data from the state comptroller’s office shows.

What's happening: Over 101,000 students had applied for Texas Education Freedom Accounts as of Feb. 15. Applications close at 11:59 p.m. March 17.

Program funding is capped at $1 billion for the 2026-27 school year, meaning between 90,000 and 100,000 students will likely be accepted. With demand expected to outpace available funding, applications will be prioritized through a need- and income-based lottery system.

Zooming in: Over 70% of program applicants were from low- or middle-income households, according to data from the comptroller’s office. Under Senate Bill 2, the 2025 law that created the program:

• “Low-income” is defined as families with annual household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or about $66,000 for a family of four.
• “Middle-income” is defined as families with incomes at or below 500% of the federal poverty line, or about $165,000 for a family of four.