Starting today, two trolleys will be available for free rides around the River District from Monday through Saturday. They will offer downtown visitors the option of hopping aboard to reach their next destination, instead of having to walk.
Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson said the trolley service marks a milestone for the city. Said he, “It’s a happy time. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be an experience that will excite. I think the table has been properly set for citizens to take full advantage (of the service). This is just the beginning.”
The free trolley service was made possible through a partnership with LeeTran and the Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency.
Joann Haley, of LeeTran, said the free trolleys will operate for two winter seasons. It will cost $226,710 to run them with half of the funds coming from a grant awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation and the other half being provided by the redevelopment agency. She added, “It makes movement that much faster because the drivers don’t have to be collecting fares. It free. It’s all free.”
There will be two routes that will circuit downtown — the Blue and Gold lines. The Blue Line will stay in the heart of the downtown area, traveling between Royal Palm Avenue and Monroe Street. It will mainly stay on First Street, only traveling on Second Street as it loops around to return to First. The Gold Line will go farther. It will travel on First Street until Clifford Street, where it will head east onto McGregor Boulevard before looping back onto First Street and heading north. The trolley would then turn east on Fowler Street, north on Second Street, loop into Frierson Street, before coming back out to Palm Beach Boulevard. The trolleys will run from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, they will run until 10:30 p.m.
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