RIVER VALLEY — A shuttle bus service will run from New York City to the river towns in the Upper Delaware Valley for four weekends this summer, beginning in the last weekend in June. The cost will be $40 each way, and the promoters hope the service will be popular enough with the traveling public that it may be expanded next year.

Herb Clark, vice president of the Sullivan County Visitors Association, said that his organization has been trying for several years to get transportation up to Glen Spey, Barryville, Narrowsburg and Callicoon, and in fact applied for a grant that would have helped pay to transport people from Port Jervis. But this was a joint effort, stemming from many people in the river valley getting together and working on a plan. Those who wanted to get the bus rolling include Jane Luchsinger, Nadia Rajz, Alan Rosenblatt, Isaac Green Diebboll, Joan Santos, Patti Zins, Larry Richardson, Heather Jacksy, Freda Eisenberg and Phil Vallone.

Clark said he created a survey that was placed on several websites connected with the river corridor, and it elicited a very positive response. He noted that, in particular, there were a lot of responses from people in New York City. (That’s not a surprise to The River Reporter, given that, of the 25,000 or so unique visitors that come to the paper’s website each month, the largest number of visitors are located in New York City.)

The service will be called the Eagle Express, and will be provided by Big V Enterprises, which is connected to Rolling V Transportation. The 21-passenger shuttle will receive passengers at New York City’s Penn Station on Friday afternoons for outbound trips, and return to Penn Station on Sunday evenings. Additional service is scheduled for July 3 and 5, July 10 and 12, and July 17 and 19.

Although still in development, an online reservation system will be available at SCVA.net/eagleexpress for travelers’ convenience. Riders are encouraged to book both legs of their travel at the same time to ensure seating on their return trip. Reservations must be made no later than the Tuesday prior to travel by 5 p.m. Luggage space is limited, and Eagle Express is unable to accommodate pets or recreational equipment (e.g., kayaks, bikes, etc.) at this time.

Luchsinger said the creation of the bus route was seen as a good way to promote tourism in Sullivan County. She believes the bus will be used by not only by second home-owners, but also children and guests of second home-owners. And certainly, the idea that direct public transportation from the metropolitan area to our river towns has the potential to boost our economy has historical precedent in the Erie Railroad. It served the river corridor for over 100 years starting around 1850, and provided a powerful stimulus to hamlets like Callicoon, NY (originally named “Callicoon Depot”), which, according to the website www.callicoononthedelaware.com, boasted only one house prior to the coming of the railroad. The shuttle bus experiment is scarcely of the same magnitude, but is a step in a similar direction.

Luchsinger noted that the cost of the shuttle bus, $40, compares favorably with the cost of a bus ticket from the city to Monticello, which is $30, but getting to the river towns from Monticello can be problematic.

For a detailed Eagle Express schedule, including drop-off times along the route, visit the Sullivan County Visitors Association website, www.scva.net/eagleexpress. Direct questions regarding Eagle Express shuttle service to Big V Enterprises by phone at 845/292-1639, or via email to eagleservice@bigventertainment.com.