UTSA Took Control of Little Runner Shuttle Service

The university expanded the shuttle route to a 2.5-mile loop to serve its growing downtown campus population.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Remote Work

Isometric editorial illustration of a passenger shuttle traversing an urban loop through a university campus setting. — The University of Texas at San Antonio assumed control of the Little Runner shuttle service on August 19, extending the route to a 2.5-mile loop. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you believe university-managed shuttles provide better mobility than city-run transit options for students?

UTSA assumed control of the Little Runner shuttle service from VIA on August 19, 2026. The university transitioned the route into a 2.5-mile loop to better support its downtown campus, which now hosts more than 8,000 students.

Why it matters

The shuttle expansion was necessary to accommodate a downtown student body that doubled over the past year. By integrating the service into its own GPS app, the university aims to create a more cohesive transportation experience for its campus community.

The downtown student population grew to over 8,000 in 2026, up from 4,200 in fall 2025. The new 2.5-mile loop serves facilities including the 180,000-square-foot San Pedro II building and the 167,000-square-foot San Pedro I building.

The players

UTSA

The University of Texas at San Antonio is a public research university that has significantly expanded its downtown campus footprint.

VIA

VIA Metropolitan Transit is the public transportation authority that previously managed the Little Runner shuttle service.

Taylor Eighmy

Taylor Eighmy has served as the president of UTSA since 2017 and has overseen the institution's recent growth.

The details

UTSA now operates two 14-passenger shuttles that travel a 2.5-mile route through downtown San Antonio, serving locations like the Durango Building and One Riverwalk Place. Service is currently restricted to students, faculty, staff, and university affiliates.

UTSA assumed control of the shuttle service on August 19, 2026.
The shuttle operates Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday service hours run from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Market Landscape

This transition reflects a broader shift among urban universities moving to manage their own internal transportation networks to support expanding satellite campuses. The move positions UTSA to better integrate its infrastructure as it competes for students in the downtown education sector.

Eligible students, faculty, and staff can now track the shuttles in real-time through the Runner GPS app. This integration provides a more reliable transit option for those moving between the university's various downtown buildings throughout the week.

The takeaway

Reliable campus transit is a critical component for universities experiencing rapid growth in urban environments. Students and staff should check the university's GPS app before heading out to ensure they are aware of the most current shuttle loop timing.