A proposal to ease traffic along the growing Interstate 35 corridor is gaining momentum in the New Braunfels area, with a study exploring expanded transit service between San Antonio and San Marcos.
The Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization conducted the study to find ways to improve transportation infrastructure in and around New Braunfels as congestion increases along I-35 roadways. The study found more than 35,000 trips are made every day from New Braunfels to surrounding cities such as San Antonio and San Marcos.
One option under consideration is a regional bus line designed to connect four cities that see the most outgoing traffic: San Marcos, San Antonio, Live Oak and Seguin.
Some residents said they are enthusiastic about the idea. Christian Gonzalez said, “I think it’s a wonderful idea.” He added, “You can ask anyone who lives like in this region. Like, we are always going to San Antonio. People from San Antonio are always coming here, especially during the summer for tubing season and stuff like that, Schlitterbahn and all that. I think it’s a I think it’s a great idea, and I I hope something sticks.”
Robert Veliez said a bus route could help people who regularly travel the corridor. “Those types of routes will be helpful for everybody to get through, especially with the traffic. Yeah, traffic. If you’re driving gas traffic and everything, so to have somebody do the driving for you is that’s that’s that’s where it’s at,” Veliez said.
Not everyone supports the concept. Several New Braunfels residents said they believe a transit line would promote more growth in the Hill Country area, which is already experiencing growing pains.
The study and a potential path forward are scheduled to be presented to the New Braunfels City Council on Sept. 21.