PRESS RELEASE

 SANIBEL-CAPTIVA ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL TRANSPORTATION NETWORK

 The Board of County Commissioners has declared a one-week State of Local Emergency from Tuesday, January 14^th to Tuesday, January 21^st.  In response to this state of emergency, a transportation network has been developed by a coalition of private businesses to move ESSENTIAL personnel between Sanibel-Captiva and Fort Myers.

 Essential personnel are only those whose presence is required to maintain public health and safety and a minimum level of service for business. It also includes those with scheduled airport arrivals and departures and those with pre-arranged overnight accommodations.  This is NOT general public transportation. We urge the residents of Lee County not to attempt to use this Essential Personnel Transportation Network (EPTN) unless absolutely necessary.

 For essential personnel going to Sanibel-Captiva, there will be parking and pick-up at four marked and designated locations. Those locations are: 1) Gulf Point Square, 15600 San Carlos Boulevard,  2) Miner’s Plaza, 15501 McGregor Boulevard,  3) Sanibel Tanger Factory Outlet Stores, 20350 Summerlin Road and 4) Country Inn & Suites, 13901 Shell Point Plaza.  They will then be shuttled to a marine departure site at Punta Rassa. Passengers will not be permitted to park or be dropped off at Punta Rassa, but instead must be brought directly from one of the four designated parking areas. Upon reaching Sanibel, they will be met by Lee Tran buses that will run two routes, one on Sanibel and one on Captiva.  For those who have arranged or need private transportation, they will be shuttled to the designated EPTN parking and pick-up site - the Sanibel Causeway, Island B.

 For essential personnel leaving Sanibel-Captiva, there is designated parking and drop-off at the Sanibel Causeway, Island B.  They will then be shuttled to the marine departure site on Sanibel.  Upon reaching Punta Rassa, they will then be shuttled to the one of the four designated EPTN parking and pick-up lots.  Taxi service pick-up and drop-off will be available there.

 The marine transportation schedule is as follows: Beginning at 2 p.m. on Sunday, leaving Sanibel and Punta Rassa on the hour and half hour until 10 p.m.  From 10 p.m. Sunday until 3 a.m. Monday, leaving every hour on the hour. Beginning Monday at 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. on the hour and half hour. From 10 p.m. Monday until 3 a.m. Tuesday every hour on the hour.

 This Essential Personnel Transportation Network will be in operation as long as the Causeway remains closed. Upon re-opening of the Causeway, this transportation network will cease to operate.