HARLINGEN, Texas - The City of Harlingen and South Padre Island are working more closely than ever to ensure an efficient shuttle service is operating between SPI and Valley International Airport.
This is the view of Marv Esterly, aviation director for VIA.
\u201cWe are joined at the hip with South Padre Island, the City of Harlingen and Valley International Airport,\u201d Esterly said.
\u201cWe carry 70 percent of the air traffic going to the island through Valley International Airport. So we realize we need each other. We have quickly formed a great partnership.\u201d
Esterly gave his views to the Rio Grande Guardian on the first day Viva Aerobus brought passengers to VIA from Monterrey.
\u201cIt is important we have great ground transportation once you get here. That is one of the things we are working on right now,\u201d Esterly said.
\u201cWe have a reciprocating agreement with South Padre Island that allows South Padre Island taxis to actually pick up here at Valley International Airport. Before they were able to drop off, so they would drive all the way here and then they would dead end back. Now they can just enter our cab line here. It allows us to have a better taxi cab service.\u201d
Asked about an improved shuttle service between VIA and SPI, Esterly said:
\u201cWe are working closely with the Island on a shuttle service. We have three companies at this point that we are watering, like a flower they are coming out. A brand new service with really nice vehicles. We are really happy to continue to work with them to get this thing going.\u201d
In his in-depth interview, Esterly also spoke about VIA revamping its Federal Inspection Station in order to accommodate Customs and Border Protection staff.
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