LeeTran cuts one trip on Beach route
The route schedule for the Lee County Transit system to and on Fort Myers Beach has become one trip shorter due to Lee County government legislative action.
As of Nov. 14, the LeeTran southbound trip for Route 400 that began at 6:50 p.m. at Summerlin Square and continued to Lovers Key State Park and returned back on its northbound course is no longer part of the schedule.
“That trip is now cut,” said LeeTran Marketing Director Joanne Haley. “We had a budget number that we had to reach. So, that is why we had to make cuts.”
Haley said removing all Sunday service was even considered in the fiscal year 2013-14 budget discussions at both public hearings of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
“We figured that the number of people that would impact would be unsatisfactory, so ended up taking a scalpel to just some trips,” she said.
In all, 12 of 24 routes on the LeeTran schedule within Lee County had trips removed.
Even with the 6:50 trip cut, Route 400 still has a later trip that begins at 7:35 p.m. at Summerlin Square and continues to Lovers Key State Park. On the final return route of the evening, that trolley leaves Lovers Key at 8:20 p.m. and has schedule pickups at 8:25 at Santini Marina Plaza, 8:40 at First Street and Old San Carlos Boulevard, 8:45 at Bowditch Point and final drop off at 9 at Summerlin Square.
LeeTran still provides service to and on the Beach during New Year’s Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. It does not run on upcoming holidays Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
To view all trips on Route 400 and the other routes, go to www.rideleetran.com and click on “How to Ride” and Map & Schedules.
On Jan. 23, the Beach trolley schedule will change for seasonal service.