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    Recommended Reviews - Valley Transit Company

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    Island Metro - "Free Rides" means free rides.  And it will NOT have a '70s bumper sticker saying "Gas, grass, @ss ... nobody rides for free."

    Island Metro

    5.0(2 reviews)
    64.8 mi

    I wondered if this listing had already been put up. When Island Metro, South Padre Island's free…read moreshuttle service, operated as the Wave, there was one review by a San Diegan and it is currently displaying "closed." Well, it's not really closed. Its name was changed to Island Metro. And it's still free. There's nothing to go bonkers about with regard to Island Metro, so it's about a 4 star venue. However, I've added a 5th star and I'll explain that later. South Padre Island, Texas sits on a long barrier island about half a mile wide and separated from the mainland, and its sister city of sorts named Port Isabel, by the Laguna Madre. Try to visualize the map and relationship of Miami Beach to Miami. In fact, both of these barrier islands have their southernmost points just slightly south of the causeways with which you reach them. But, unlike Miami Beach, South Padre Island lacks that sort of flash. It's more like Florida's panhandle, which they themselves laughingly call the "Redneck Riviera." South Padre Island does not have any minimally disparaging nicknames that I'm aware of, but is frequently referred to as "the island" or abbreviated as SPI. That SPI lacks flash is mostly a good thing. South Padre Island therefore attracts some visitors who might be budget conscious. And, to make this possible, as well as just make circulation more convenient, a shuttle bus service with fixed routes operates from early morning until 9 p.m. The system's smaller buses, painted light yellow or light blue and with the palm treed logo of South Padre Island, will be seen circulating most of the time during your stay. There are 3 routes, similar to those described in the review for the renamed Wave. One route runs the length of the narrow barrier island, from roughly the South Padre Island Convention Center, where the development thins out, down to the southernmost point of the island. Another route runs most of the length of the island, but instead crosses over the Queen Isabella Memorial Bridge into Port Isabel, going as far as its biggest shopping center. A third and final route runs from further inland from Port Isabel - an area named Laguna Heights - and crosses the causeway to roughly where it intersects Padre Blvd. but does not ply the island. The point is that, with three routes that feature some overlap, one transfer - at the most - can take you to most anywhere in this area you'd need to go. You can therefore get up and down the length of South Padre Island, and venture over to Port Isabel, without a car! You'll just have to look at what the bus's digital display is indicating and/or look at the basic schematic of the simple system displayed on the bus stop placards. And, again, using Island Metro is free. Here's where it gets 5 star good. The route going into Port Isabel, and its Las Palmas Shopping Center, is the terminus for Metro Connect's blue line (check its latest number or nomenclature), which goes into both Brownsville Airport and Brownsville. This line is also free. This thus means that, if using BRO (Brownsville Airport) as your arrival and departure airport, there will be no need to have a car on South Padre Island and its immediate environs. Just take note that, while the Island Metro runs very frequently, the Metro Connect bus from Port Isabel to Brownsville runs with much less frequency, so you'll have to plan around this. Again, you can get by without private transportation while on a trip to this relaxing beachy area. So, to wrap up another overly detailed review, Island Metro starts with 4 stars for each of the letters in the word F-R-E-E. A fifth star is handily added for being able to use Island Metro to connect to another bus (Metro Connect) to get to the Brownsville area, and the airport, and do it all without coin. And, with circulation and density that is a world apart from that of, say, Miami Beach, using Island Metro will be very relaxing, almost as if on intravenous demerol (an inside joke, and not a reality), which is why you go to places like South Padre Island to begin with.

    Fun way to get around SPI, grandkids enjoyed it! Thanks SPI for the free transportationread more

    Photos
    Island Metro - This would have been a while back, but same idea.  It wasn't yet "Island Metro," but definitely after the service was named the "Wave."

    This would have been a while back, but same idea.  It wasn't yet "Island Metro," but definitely after the service was named the "Wave."

    Island Metro - Rain or shine, they keep going from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Here's a light blue one. This is the most recent Island Metro livery and logo.

    Rain or shine, they keep going from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Here's a light blue one. This is the most recent Island Metro livery and logo.

    Island Metro - Here's a pale yellow one going up Padre Blvd. on a sunny day.  Note that you can append your bicycle to the front of it.

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    Here's a pale yellow one going up Padre Blvd. on a sunny day. Note that you can append your bicycle to the front of it.

    Texas Department of Public Safety - Hours posted

    Texas Department of Public Safety

    3.0(10 reviews)
    11.5 mi

    We went to the DPS office because my son needed to get his ID. The place was clean and easy to…read morefind. The staff were friendly and helpful. They answered our questions and made sure we had everything we needed. We did have to wait a little bit, but it wasn't too long. The line moved pretty fast.

    I don't get the negative reviews. I've been here 3 times in the last 6 months. One was to get a…read moreteen permit. I set up an online appointment, as that is the best way to go about it. We got there around 4:00 pm. It was packed but we got seen within 30-40 mins of arriving. We were seen and the agent was super helpful and answered whatever questions we had. Second time was to renew a license. Once again, with an online appointment, we were seen quickly. Filled the forms and were with an agent within 15-20 mins. Agent was friendly and patient. Third time was for a teen road test. On this day it was early morning with minimal crowds. We were seen after 10 mins of arriving. Teen was feeling nervous but told me that the agent was friendly and put her at ease. The test took about 20 mins from beginning to end. Overall had very positive outcomes every time. It is quite a distance since it's on outskirts of town, but so worth it. Since it's a mega center, appointments can be attained much quicker than Weslaco and McAllen.

    Photos
    Texas Department of Public Safety - Our federal and state flags in the morning light. Salute!

    Our federal and state flags in the morning light. Salute!

    Texas Department of Public Safety - Comfy cozy areas where you are attended

    Comfy cozy areas where you are attended

    Texas Department of Public Safety - From the front

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    From the front

    Valley Transit Company - publictransport - Updated May 2026

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