San Antonio may finally have a road map to its transportation future.

On Tuesday, VIA Metropolitan Transit adopted a master plan that proposes a multitude of new transit projects that could turn this bus-only transit agency into one that provides streetcar and light-rail service in the coming decades.

Board members unanimously approved the plan at their monthly meeting.

“The first step in truly becoming a multimodal agency is developing a plan,” said VIA President and CEO Keith Parker moments before the vote. “I think 10 years ... from now, we'll be looking at a whole host of improvements that will lead us not only to being what San Antonio expects us to be, but being a role model for the rest of the nation.

“Tonight begins that journey for us.”

San Antonio is the largest city in the U.S. with a bus-only transit system, according to the plan. The city's only previous electric streetcar system was discontinued in 1933.

The plan, SmartWaySA, was developed over two years and several series of public workshops. It envisions 39 miles of light-rail, 57 miles of bus rapid transit, and thee miles of streetcar by 2035. By then, Bexar County's population is expected to have surged to more than 2.15 million.

VIA will update the plan every five years.

The big question now: Where does VIA get the money?

It operates on a relatively small budget for a transit agency of its size, and cannot afford to become a multimodal agency at its current funding capacity.

Board members Tuesday approved a list of federal grants VIA will pursue, including the competitive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER III, grant. The money could be applied to a multimodal center or an urban rail project.

Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff also has proposed setting aside the county Advanced Transportation District funds for streetcars. VIA leadership plans to discuss funding options with city staff and the San Antonio-Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“Realistically, if San Antonio wants to see a multimodal system, it will require partnerships from the transit system and the other local governments,” Parker said.

Specific elements of the plan include details on the city's first bus rapid transit line, set to launch late next year or in early 2013, plus plans for additional bus rapid transit lines stretching north and south.

More Information Previous report: VIA's long-range plan sets stage for urban rail Streetcar focus VIA's master plan includes a downtown east-west streetcar that would integrate with street traffic, stoplights and pedestrians. Electric-powered rail vehicles Typically travels 8 to 15 mph in mixed traffic Designed for dense urban areas Source: VIA See More Collapse

The next priority will be construction of an east-west modern streetcar line through downtown connecting VIA's planned West Side multimodal center and the Robert Thompson Transit Center at the Alamodome on the East Side.

It also has recommendations for two light-rail corridors in the region, one stretching north and south, initially joining the airport and downtown, and one east and west, connecting Lackland AFB to Fort Sam Houston.

VIA said it will work to improve downtown transit and enhance existing assets such as the Thompson Center. Board members Tuesday approved pursuing an urban village concept at the center that would tie into nearby Sunset Station.

“It makes sense to start where we've already got something on the ground and build from there,” said board member Mary Briseño, who proposed focusing on the east-west streetcar in the short term.

Bus service will remain the bedrock of the system, the plan says. Bus frequencies will be improved and new express lines will be added to facilitate transportation in the suburbs.

Over the next few months, VIA will lay out funding scenarios for the projects and present ideas to the public for review. Transportation projects are notoriously slow, but Parker said he hopes to have “several projects” complete in five years.

“Time to go,” he said.