Esterly: Shuttle and taxi services between VIA and SPI improving all the time

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.“We are joined at the hip with South Padre Island, the City of Harlingen and Valley International Airport,” Esterly said.“We 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.”Esterly gave his views to the Rio Grande Guardian on the first day Viva Aerobus brought passengers to VIA from Monterrey.“It is important we have great ground transportation once you get here. That is one of the things we are working on right now,” Esterly said.“We 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.”Asked about an improved shuttle service between VIA and SPI, Esterly said:“We 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.”In his in-depth interview, Esterly also spoke about VIA revamping its Federal Inspection Station in order to accommodate Customs and Border Protection staff.Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian's website to read the full story.Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.