Our Misleading Report on Bus Service Between the Brownsville Airport and South Padre Island~Air Fiesta Moved to Before Charro Days

Brownsville Airport Business Manager Michael Jones

At the last Airport Advisory Board meeting held 1/14/2014, Business Development Manager Michael Jones included in his report the seemingly shocking revelation that Metro Connect's Blue line did not actually connect with the Brownsville/South Padre Island "International" Airport, but, instead, took SPI passengers to the La Plaza Multi-modal Bus Terminal.  Jones held up a map of the Metro Connect Blue Line route, showing that it passed directly by the airport, but indicated this was misleading as it simply bypassed the airport on its way to downtown Brownsville.

This seemed to alarm the Airport Advisory Board.  A board member seated directly across from Assistant City Attorney John Chosy, asked:  "Does anyone know Mayor Martinez?  Maybe someone needs to talk to him or perhaps go through the chain of command, speaking first to City Manager Charlie Cabler about this."  The board member continued:  "I see this as the work of Bobby Ferris.  He set up these routes as former president of VTC.  Someone needs to call old Bobby."

Actually the Brownsville Herald, in an article dated August 13, 2013,  announcing the establishment of Metro Connect, indicated that the Metro Connect Blue Line would stop at the airport:  "The blue line, a free service, will run between South Padre Island and Brownsville, making stops at the Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, La Plaza and the SPI terminal. The green line connecting UTPA to McAllen will cost 50 cents for students and $1 for other riders, while the red line will take passengers between Brownsville and McAllen for a $5 fare and include connections to Valley Transit’s Harlingen terminal."

With that backdrop, this blog reported that the Blue Line did not stop at the airport, which was technically correct, but did not present the entire picture.  There is a shuttle available for $1.00 between SPI and the airport, thus negating the need the Blue Line to duplicate that service.

My incomplete, thus inaccurate, report upset some members of the Brownsville Metro Advisory Board.  Brownsville Metro Assistant Director Andrew Munoz was asked to email me the correct information.  That didn't happen. Munoz, congenial in person, gets defensive and petty when asked for public information.  In any event, the system provides for SPI/airport transport with no need for a duplicate run from Metro Connect.

Brownsville Herald photo

David Houston, from Air Fiesta, also reported to the board, indicating that the 2014 dates would be positioned before Charro Days, February 22 & 23. Houston was hoping patrons would have more available funds before Sombrero Fest and other Charro Days functions.

Houston indicated that Kyle Franklin, whose wife Amanda died from injuries related to a 2011 incident at Air Fiesta, would be returning as a performer this year.  Houston stated that Franklin's return was related to an outpouring of sympathy from the Brownsville community and his need to find closure.