Valley International Airport, South Padre Island CVB launch the new South Padre Island Shuttle with direct, low-cost Airport-to-Island transportation, service begins January 4th

Contact: Kelly Morris, 210-843-9900
kelly@theatkinsgroup.com

South Padre Island, Texas (December 10, 2009) – On Monday, January 4th, visitors to South Padre Island arriving through Harlingen’s Valley International Airport (VIA) will be able to shuffle off to the Island via the new, door-to-door “South Padre Shuttle.” And starting this week visitors can make reservations to ride on one of the three shuttles over the Internet at www.southpadreshuttle.com, or by calling 1-877-774-0050 where agents are available to handle reservations 24 hours a day, seven days a week. VIA is one of the first airports to offer this enhanced service.

The new service will treat visitors to South Padre Island like celebrities as they make their way to the Island in modern, air-conditioned shuttles that take will take them from the door of the VIA’s terminal to the door of their Island hotel or condo. And the pampering doesn’t stop there. With luxury seating for 24 passengers, shuttles will offer reclining seats and large, full-view windows so passengers can sit back and enjoy the view as they make their way to the Island. An on-board video will entertain and inform passengers with tourist information about the Island. Each bus is fully ADA compliant with easy-access wheelchair lifts, and drivers will load passengers’ luggage onto racks at the rear of the bus and in overhead bins. The shuttles also are equipped with state-of-the-art, on-board GPS technology that is tied to the reservation system, and, on return trips from the Island, passengers will receive a text message advising when the shuttle is 30 minutes away.

Fares will be just $20 one-way, or $35 round trip, and passengers can pre-book reservations or decide at the airport to take the shuttle. Pre-paid reservations guarantee a seat on the shuttle, however walk-ups are also welcomed. Passengers without a reservation can purchase tickets at the South Padre Island Shuttle reservation desk which is located in the baggage claim area. Passengers can pay with a credit card or cash and can even purchase boarding passes on the shuttle using either a credit card or cash.

South Padre Island CVB Director, Dan Quandt said, “We’re proud to join Valley International Airport in sponsoring this new, low-cost luxury service for our visitors,” said, “and we’re especially pleased to offer travelers another affordable option to meet their transportation needs.” Once on South Padre Island, visitors can use the free WAVE shuttle system or the very inexpensive taxi service.

Rick Ledesma, chairman of Harlingen Airport Board said of the new shuttle service, “VIA has always focused on exceptional customer service, and this new shuttle service to and from South Padre Island will be a great addition to our expanding list of offerings for our customers.”
Hours of operation for the South Padre Island Shuttle will correspond with the schedule arrival and departure of the flights depending on the day of the week.

The new service is provided by LogistiCorp, a Dallas-based transportation company founded in 1998 that operates similar systems for passengers arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and for the 100-acre Texas Instrument campus in Dallas. “LogistiCorp is known for combining technology with best in class customer service. We are extremely excited to be a part of this new service and new technology serving the passengers of VIA and the visitors and residents of South Padre Island,” said Thomas F. Thacker, VP Business Support/Finance.”

ABOUT SOUTH PADRE ISLAND
With a tropical feel, white sandy beaches and blue waters, South Padre Island is a world-class, year-round beach destination on the Gulf of Mexico, just over six miles north of the Mexican border by water (30 miles by road). In 2008, Men’s Fitness Magazine named it one of the top 10 beaches in the country. The Island provides a warm, four-season welcome with an abundance of activities such as water sports, dolphin watching, fishing, horseback riding, shopping, diving and birding. For information on South Padre Island, call the South Padre Island Convention and Visitors Bureau at (956) 761-3005 or 1-800-SOPADRE, or visit www.sopadre.com.


ABOUT VALLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Valley International Airport serves over 800,000 passengers a year and is the home to Southwest Airlines, Continental Express, Sun Country Airlines, DHL, Federal Express, UPS, BAX Global and UPS Supply Chain Solutions.