Willacy Express launches to connect people all over the RGV

RAYMONDVILLE, Texas – First there was the Orient Express. Then there was Agatha Christi’s novel, the Midnight Express. And now there is the Willacy Express.

Although there is no connection between the three, the newest express has been launched to transport and connect people from the least populated county in the Rio Grande Valley to the largest cities in this region of South Texas.

A new bus service provided by the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council began taking passengers on Wednesday, April 9, from Raymondville, Lyford and Sebastian to Harlingen where connections can be made to other cities like Brownsville, McAllen and Edinburg.

The Willacy Express is the first public transportation system of its kind available for the residents of Willacy County and officials urge people to take advantage because it success will depend from their participation.

Tom Logan, director of Valley Metro Director of Transit Operations, described the new bus service as a case of empowering the communities. “This is going to open the doors for other opportunities,” he said. “It’s an investment for our region.” 

Manuel “Manny” Cruz, the LRGVDC executive director, said the launching of the Willacy Express is a significant step for expanding regional mobility. “For many residents from here it has been a challenge when it comes to transportation,” he said. “This new route will provide an essential link to other places.”

Cruz said despite what is happening at the federal level, funding for their agency still remains the same. The bus was bought for $325,000 and the government is providing money to support the new service. There no fees to get on the bus during its first month of operations and this is because of an agreement among all the parties and as an incentive to motivate residents to use it.

Manuel ‘Manny’ Cruz, executive director of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council. (Photo: Antonio Vindell/RGG)

They also hope connecting this county with the other Valley municipalities will result in more opportunities for economic development, health care, education, jobs and will enhance the quality of life. For example, students attending UTRGV will ride the bus for free. After the first month of operations, a one-day ticket will cost $10 and $50 for a month.

Aurelio “Keter” Guerra, the county‘s judge, said the launching of the new service is a proud moment for everybody. “A lot of us here know how essential it is having a service like this one,” he said. “This will help decrease our transportation barrier.”

Guerra said the Willacy Express is the result of reaching out to other communities and gave credit to the many cities and the other counties that have been behind this project.

Chita Perez and Lucy Cruz, two longtime residents of Sebastian, a town of a little more than 1,000 people, said the new bus service is something they have not had and it’s going to provide new opportunities for the people from here and elsewhere in the county.

Frank Torres, the Emergency Planning Coordinator for Willacy County, said there has never been a public transit service in the county. Nevertheless, he is glad is now happening.

After a ribbon ceremony was held to kick off the service, the brand new bus that will be serving the community took more than a dozen people on a ride to Lyford and Sebastian where a number of city and county officials expressed their support welcoming the Willacy Express.

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