Contact: Jeff Shuler, LeeTRAN, 277-5012, ext. 2223 or

Peter Wisniewski, Planning & Construction 479-8304

INTERMODAL CENTER TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

FORT MYERS, Fla. (January 20, 2000) – Lee County, the City of Fort Myers and the Florida Department of Transportation have begun construction on a new $2.6-million facility that will act as a hub for all forms of public transportation in Lee County.

The Intermodal Transfer Center (ITC) will be located at 2250 Peck Street in downtown Fort Myers, just east of the Fort Myers Police Department.

The 21,000-square-foot facility has been in the planning since 1994. The terminal will serve LeeTRAN and Greyhound bus passengers and others waiting for taxi service. It also may provide shuttle bus service to Amtrak in Tampa. At least 500 LeeTRAN passengers will use the terminal each day. Greyhound estimates 15,000 to 18,000 people begin or end their trips in Fort Myers each month.

The facility offers the opportunity for everyone to make transportation connections, including pedestrians, bicyclists, local transit and transportation disadvantaged passengers, commuters and regional travelers. Located in the Downtown Pedestrian District, the terminal building is within easy walking distance of City of Palms Park, the Skatium, the State Office Building, the Fort Myers-Lee County Public Library, Fort Myers City Hall, Lee County Government offices, the Justice Center, the state and federal courts, and the Downtown Entertainment District.

The terminal building will have a waiting lobby with plenty of seating for riders to stay out of the heat and summer afternoon thunderstorms. It also will have restrooms and ticket counters for LeeTRAN and Greyhound. Outside, the site will have nine covered bus/passenger shelters for LeeTRAN buses, five covered bus/passenger shelters for Greyhound buses and two covered shelters for handicapped van drop off and pick up. There also will be four taxicab spaces and parking for employees and customers, with a drop off area at the terminal building.

The facility will act as a hub for riders to purchase tickets and gather information about LeeTRAN and make connections to statewide and nationwide transportation networks through Greyhound bus service and, possibly, an Amtrak Rail shuttle bus.

The City of Fort Myers donated the land for the center. The Florida Department of Transportation is contributing $2.3 million of the cost. Lee County is building and will operate the center.