Getting Around New Braunfels Without a Car: The Rio

by Yitzchak Pierson

New Braunfels does have public transit, but not a bus network. The City of New Braunfels runs the Rio, an on-demand service that picks riders up door to door inside its service area, seven days a week.

Cost and hours: The standard fare is $4. Seniors, veterans, students and people with disabilities pay $2. Hours are 7 AM to 8 PM, expanding to 6 AM on November 1, 2026.
Fleet and access: Eight vehicles are in service plus two backups, up from six plus two at launch, and the city says six are fully accessible.
Year one: The city reported 67,845 riders from launch through the end of FY 2026.

Before you choose an address, confirm it is inside the Rio's service area on the city's Rio page.

The Rio books through its app or by phone, and trips outside the service area can use Alamo Regional Transit. The city reported an average ride of 5.4 miles and 16.2 minutes, and 94.7% of riders gave it five stars. Everyday errands, work and medical visits are among the top reasons people ride.

Read the full post