Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Mancha.
Hi Elizabeth , so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
In 2019, my husband Kevin and I were cruising through the streets of San Antonio in Vespa-powered sidecars. With Sidecars SA, we weren’t just offering joyrides. We were creating a fresh, unforgettable way for people to experience the city we love. Every turn through downtown, every laugh from a passenger, every curious glance from someone on the sidewalk reminded us why we do this. We do it to connect people to the heartbeat of San Antonio.
As we rode through historic districts, vibrant neighborhoods, and hidden local gems, something kept standing out. San Antonio was full of culture and charm, but it lacked an easy and fun way for people to travel between its many unique areas. There wasn’t a good connector, no playful or practical thread tying our diverse districts together.
That insight stayed with us. In fact, it grew into something bigger.
By 2023, that spark had become SaGO, short for San AntoniGO. It was our first answer to the city’s need for better last-mile transportation. It was local, it was nimble, and it was built on our deep love for San Antonio. What started as a small idea between the two of us quickly expanded when something special happened.
Michelle and Lorenzo came into the picture. They were old middle school friends who reentered our lives at just the right moment. The connection felt natural. The vision matched. The purpose became clear. With the four of us working together, we were not just looking to improve transportation. We were ready to reimagine what it could be.
That is when The Local SATX was born.
Our goal was simple. We wanted to reconnect San Antonio both physically and emotionally. Through our eco-friendly electric NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles), we created a fun, accessible way to travel between neighborhoods. Each ride became an opportunity to rediscover the city, support small businesses, and shape a more vibrant urban experience one passenger at a time.
Not long after we launched, VIA Metropolitan Transit reached out to us. They asked us to operate a route for UTSA students, faculty, and the downtown community. For Kevin and me, VIA was part of our story from the beginning. It was how we got to school and work. It helped shape who we are today. Now, we were working alongside them to create a new kind of community-focused transit experience.
It felt like a full-circle moment. Not a movie ending, but a powerful new beginning.
Today, we are proudly operating our Southtown District Route, with more routes to come. Every day, we see how people are engaging with The Local. They share their stories, explore their neighborhoods, and enjoy the ride. What we are building is more than just a transportation service. It is a community-driven effort. It is a movement fueled by people, place, and purpose.
The shift toward electric micro-mobility is already underway. And this is just the beginning.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, but every challenge has shaped who we are today. Starting something new in the transportation space, especially in a city like San Antonio that is still evolving in terms of micro-mobility, comes with a lot of learning curves. We’ve had to navigate permitting, funding, community awareness, and even just helping people understand what a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle is and how it fits into their lives.
In the early days, we were doing it all—driving, marketing, planning routes, and building relationships from the ground up. There were moments when we questioned if the city was ready for this kind of shift. There were financial hurdles and operational growing pains. We’ve had to fight for visibility and prove the value of what we’re doing in a market that isn’t always quick to embrace new ideas.
But through every struggle, we’ve stayed committed to our vision. We’ve leaned on community support, stayed flexible, and learned how to adapt. Now, we’re seeing the impact of that persistence in the partnerships we’ve built and the passengers who come back again and again. The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been worth every bump.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Our focus is on first-mile and last-mile connections, bridging the gaps that often prevent residents and visitors from truly experiencing all our city has to offer. We specialize in micro-mobility solutions that are not only eco-friendly but also community-driven. What sets us apart is that we’re not just a transit service, we’re a movement that’s reshaping how people navigate urban spaces in a way that is fun, accessible, and hyper-local.
I co-founded The Local SATX alongside my husband and longtime friends, drawing on years of community engagement and a shared love for this city. Before that, we launched San Antonio Sidecars, offering Vespa-powered sidecar tours that introduced locals and tourists to the rich history of San Antonio’s Missions, neighborhoods, and landmarks in a unique and joyful way. That same spirit of storytelling, hospitality, and innovation lives on in The Local SATX.
Beyond entrepreneurship, I’ve served as an educator at Alamo Colleges for over a decade. Teaching student development courses has allowed me to support the academic journeys of hundreds of students, many of whom are first-generation or navigating college for the first time. In 2024, I was honored with the Adjunct Creating Excellence Award, an achievement I’m deeply proud of because it reflects the heart I put into education and student success. I believe in building systems that serve, empower, and celebrate community, and The Local SATX is one of the most rewarding ways I’ve been able to bring that vision to life.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I believe risk is part of any meaningful growth, personal, professional, or community-driven. For me, risk isn’t about recklessness. It’s about listening to your gut, staying grounded in your values, and being willing to step into the unknown when you know there’s potential for something better on the other side. One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was launching The Local SATX. We were stepping into an emerging space, sustainable micro-mobility in a city that’s still growing its understanding of what public and shared transit can look like. There was no blueprint. No guarantee of success. Just a deep belief that San Antonio deserved better, more accessible transportation solutions that celebrated local culture, supported small businesses, and made it easier to move through our urban core. We poured in our own time, money, and energy before there were any partnerships or contracts. We knew we’d have to educate people on what NEVs are and why they matter. That was a risk, but we took it because we could clearly see the long-term impact. And now, we’re not just operating in the city, we’re shaping conversations around what mobility can look like in San Antonio. To me, risk is about betting on possibility. It’s choosing to build something that doesn’t exist yet because you believe your community deserves it. I’ve learned that the biggest risks often carry the deepest sense of purpose. That’s what makes them worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelocalsatx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelocalsatx?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethmancha/
