Airpport Shuttle from Harlingen

[Wannebebayfisher]

I have to agree with 9toes article. This shuttle service seems to be rooted more in cronyism than genuine need.

The hand of friendship that the service appears to offer will never outweigh the burden placed on the taxpayer by this endeavor.

The future will be unlike anything that we have ever seen. Not saying it will be a bad future, just different.

Old models and dated matchbook accounting will not hold water in the new economy we are embarking on.

[Dan]

The Island has been losing business, especially group business, because of the cost of getting back and forth to the Harlingen airport. This new service, which is backed by the airport and the South Padre Island CVB, has cut the cost of a one way trip by over 73%. There will be video advertising on board. It is felt that the advertising and ticket sales will eventually make this self-sustaining.

[2old2run]

Sounds similar to the Birding Center financial philosophy.

[Wannebebayfisher]

Originally Posted by Dan

The Island has been losing business, especially group business, because of the cost of getting back and forth to the Harlingen airport. This new service, which is backed by the airport and the South Padre Island CVB, has cut the cost of a one way trip by over 73%. There will be video advertising on board. It is felt that the advertising and ticket sales will eventually make this self-sustaining.

Dan,

I appreciate what you said but keep in mind two things:

1) Are the 'groups' really around any more or were such groups a causality of our fast fleeing debt based economy?

2) Anytime anything like this is done using a local company or person is just good business sense, good for the island, good for the surrounding economy. I am sure there is ample brain power from SPI to Harlingen that a Dallas company really didn't have to be involved. This isn't brain surgery, its a shuttle service.

[Dan]

This has been an ongoing challenge with groups for many years. We started discussing the shuttle concept around four years ago.

The Valley International Airport Board developed a comprehensive RFP for this service. A local vendor was one of the finalists, however Logisticorp was the unanimous choice.

It is a little more than a shuttle service. Theoretically, this can run from 3am until a half hour after the last flight lands, depending on reservation. There is a lot of coordination involved.

This is an exciting, positive response to a challenge for our groups and individual travelers. We sincerely hope it works well!

[martyc]

Dan is too politically correct to say it factually.

The busses that will be used are really upscale and luxury with many amenities. Go with Jo's busses are much more basic and not able to offer the same amenities. I've been on those--not a repeat experience for me.

[handers]

I'm an island property owner, so I pay taxes. I don't stay down there full time, though, so I see things more from a tourist's perspective. I think it's great that there's finally an affordable shuttle, even though I won't be using it because I always drive. In the past, I've had friends ask me about getting to the island. When the shuttles were running, their pricing was always changing and often very high, depending on how many people were on the shuttle. Cabs are completely out of the question. Way too expensive. Often, their only option was to rent a car. If next September arrives and nobody's been riding the buses, well, then it'll be time to re-evaluate, I guess.

[Farmer]

I would like to know if anyone has any experience with the Harlingen shuttle? I called twice to the 877 number and both times was cut off. The first time was answered by a living person and put on hold and then cut off. The second call about 30 minutes later went to voice service and asked to wait for next representative.

Has anyone used the service? Were you satisfied?

I have a visitor flying to SPI in a couple of weeks and I think they may want to use the shuttle. Any help apprecitated.

[Ann A]

Originally Posted by Farmer

I would like to know if anyone has any experience with the Harlingen shuttle? I called twice to the 877 number and both times was cut off. The first time was answered by a living person and put on hold and then cut off. The second call about 30 minutes later went to voice service and asked to wait for next representative.

Has anyone used the service? Were you satisfied?

I have a visitor flying to SPI in a couple of weeks and I think they may want to use the shuttle. Any help apprecitated.

So far I'm impressed. I was due to fly out to Chicago today and had made reservations with the shuttle. When I called them a little while ago, to reschedule to later tomorrrow (after another 5" of snow), they already knew that flights had been cancelled into Midway.

[Farmer]

My guest has booked the shuttle for the trip next week. I will post a review of the service after the trip.

[Ann A]

Shuttle works just fine. Flew into VIA at 10pm and did have to wait till 11pm to leave the airport, but that was not the fault of the bus. Next customer's flight was due in at 10:15 and was 30 minutes late. Driver was so farmiliar with the valley, that he pointed out historical points of interest from the airport to my driveway. He even knew that the Aquarius leans north. I would recommend it to anyone.
Also, Dan's right. My work involves lots of contact with tourists and convention attendees here on the island. I've heard them talking about locations for future annual meetings and the lack of transportation to the island has always been a minus. If we didn't have the beach, they'd be in SanAntonio or Austin.

[Farmer]

Shuttle worked fine. Pick up and delivery was on time. Price was right. The driver was courteous and friendly. A good ride at a good price. Will be telling folks to use the shuttle.