LeeTran unleashes new fleet for Beach service
If you haven’t noticed yet, LeeTran transit bus service has released a new fleet of seven state-of-the-art trolleys for usage to and on Fort Myers Beach. The new additions include the latest low emissions engines for improved air quality.
Officials from Lee County, LeeTran, the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Town of Fort Myers Beach delivered complimentary words during a “Meet The Fleet” ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bowditch Point Park on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The new trolleys, which were purchased with stimulus program dollars, began official rides soon afterwards.
LeeTran’s Joann Haley welcomed the Beach community in showing off the new trolleys that were parked around the circle at Bowditch. She stated the older trolleys -which are set to retire- were built in 1997, then introduced Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah.
“I am so appreciative and proud of our LeeTran systems as well as the personnel and management that devise that wonderful department in making such a phenomenal impact in Southwest Florida,” he said. “This is just one other component to our enhancement to the entire public transportation system here. We really have taken a measurable step not only with our ‘complete streets’ policy, but with the recognition of getting people out of their vehicles.”
Judah stated the transit system is vital to promoting the quality of life and essential due to the rise in gas prices.
“This is to minimize the congestion in our road network and provide a reliable, fun, enjoyable and adequate transportation system. This really is a major part of that because it provides transportation to more than 300,000 people who love to come down to the Beach,” he said. “To the Lee Tran staff, thank you so much for taking the initiative and advantage of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act and working with our officials with the Town of Fort Myers Beach to provide a wonderful amenity and asset to those who visit from all over the world.”
Town Councilman Alan Mandel, who was joined by Councilwoman Jo List and Town Manager Terry Stewart, thanked County and LeeTran officials for adding the new trolleys to the Beach system.
“Some of us had the opportunity this morning to ride down here on one of the trolleys. They are very nice with lovely interior and outstanding air conditioning,” he said. “Our island is really a place where tourists and residents can enjoy. I think these trolleys will be an important link to getting people to work on the Beach as well as tourists and residents to get to our recreational parks and facilities and hotels and restaurants. I hope the addition and effort will also be used in the evaluation in the core-service levels.”
FMB Chamber Chairman Andrew Cochrane, who was joined by FMB Chamber President John Albion and Traffic Committee Leader Tom Myers, called LeeTran “one of the most vital links” for the citizens, tourists and service industry workers of Fort Myers Beach.
“Without LeeTran, those entities would really have trouble getting places,” he said. “We also want to thank them for participating at our monthly traffic committee meetings. Behind the scenes and hand in hand with LeeTran, we do a lot of things that help the community that are not put out in the forefront.”
LeeTran Director Steve Myers called the stimulus program a “lifesaver” for the local transit system. Among other things, the seven new trolleys (out of a complete fleet of 11 vehicles) provide both a front and rear door for quicker boarding and unboarding purposes.
“This gave us the opportunity to replace our older trolleys. The two doors will provide quicker service for those disabled folks,” he said.
Myers stated the local transit service provided roughly 342,000 trips to and on the Beach, which equates to 10 percent of LeeTran’s total ridership.
“The economy has dampened the use of the system, but we still continue to provide trips for a lot of folks. The park-n-ride system in conjunction with the Beach trolley has worked very well during the peak of season,” he said.
Myers said LeeTran recently received an award from a branch of the Florida Department of Transportation to obtain a permanent park-n-ride location on the mainland and plans to enhance the system this upcoming tourist season.
“Last year, we were only able to operate three trolleys on the Beach during peak season. This year, we are planning to put five vehicles out here in February, March and April,” he said.
LeeTran received a grant from the Federal Transportation Administration for $14 million for new buses. The plans are to purchase two hybrid, low-floor trolleys to operate on the Beach to be added to the recently purchased seven buses.
“At the end of the year we will have almost the entire fleet of trolleys completely replaced with new vehicles,” said Myers.