No car, no problem?
Is traveling without a vehicle in Lee County a Mission Impossible?
BY STEPHANIE WESTENDORF Florida Weekly Correspondent
T he other day my editor gave me my assignment: "Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to get around Lee County

without a car."

Alright, so his phrasing was a little different. But still, getting around Lee County without a car? I grew up here and, until writing this story, had never used local public transportation. I knew it existed. I knew it was a bus and not a train. I knew it was called the Lee Tran. Occasionally, I'd see people waiting at a stop somewhere. Yet, to my knowledge, no one I knew ever used it.

Until last Saturday, that is, when I took the Lee Tran on a mini-shopping excursion with my Dad. In all honesty, I was not exactly looking forward to this trip. In Boston, where I go to college, I use public transportation all the time - it's fast, easy to use, and convenient. Aside from walking, the "T" is the primary mode of transportation for students. Yes, there is the occasional long wait, encounter with a somewhat scary individual, train break-down, or a ride with a sweaty man wearing no deodorant crammed in your face. Sometimes the trains are dirty and smelly and crime can be an issue in certain spots. And that's in a city where public transit is extremely well-developed. So, naturally, I was a bit anxious to board a much smaller local transit system used by only a modest portion of the population. But I came prepared with an umbrella, water, a book, and a good pair of walking shoes.

PHOTO COUTESY LEE TRAN Lee County's public transportation system Lee Tran operates 58 vehicles and covers more than 400 miles of Lee County roadways everyday. It covers 2.9 million miles each year.

After printing out the schedules, routes, and fare information from the Lee Tran Web site, www.rideleetran. com, we discussed where we wanted to go and how to get there. This may sound easy, but it can be a bit confusing if you're not accustomed to the system. An hour later, we left for the transfer stop nearest to our house - the stop on route 140 at the Bell Tower Shops. While driving into Bell Tower, we saw our bus leave. Gratefully, the buses on route 140 arrive every 25 minutes, so it would not be a long wait.

Since we had time to spare, I went into Bed Bath and Beyond, across from the stop, to buy a portable fan and some batteries. It came in handy for waiting in the blazing heat. Shelters are only available at certain stops, and those aren't exactly wind tunnels that allow for a breeze to come through.

Since the cash register decided not to work at Bed Bath and Beyond, there was some worry about missing the next bus. Fortunately, we just made it onto the 11:50. The plan was to go north along route 140 to the downtown Rosa Parks Transportation Center and buy all day passes. Then we were to head south along route 140 to the transfer stop at San Carlos Parkway, jump on the route 60 bus to the shops at Miromar, return to the San Carlos stop to jump on the 140 bus south to Coconut Point, backtrack up north on route 140 to Bell Tower, transfer to route 50 and go westbound to the Tanger Outlet stores, and finally return to Bell Tower on route 140 to pick up the car. Did you get all that? Neither did I.

Read about Stephanie's trip in the blue box to the right.

Mission not so impossible?

In my very small experiment, I found riding the Lee Tran convenient, assuming that maps and schedules were handy. Overall, I found the buses clean and cool and the drivers very friendly.

Even though I brought a book with me, I spent most of the time on the bus either figuring out where we were going, cooling off, or avoiding eye contact with the sketchy man. But I, hypothetically, could have accomplished a lot of reading. At the end of the day, I had the luxury of hopping into a car. But there are hundreds who do not. The Lee Tran gives rides to both of us - approximately 3 million rides each year and an average of 200,000 a month, which increases during season. Rides are a measly dollar and transfers cost only 15 cents, with discounts available for seniors, youth, and the disabled. Monthly passes cost $30 for unlimited rides and have discounts available for students. Joann Haley, marketing manager of the Lee Tran, said that during the two annual free fare days, ridership increases by 50 percent.

Is expanding public transportation practical?

In the past, lack of sufficient public transportation in Florida has been attributed to urban sprawl. However, Wes Watson, executive director of the Florida Public Transportation Association, said that urban sprawl is "somewhat of a myth". He said that it may once have been the case, but can no longer be used as an excuse, especially considering high-density areas like Miami. While Lee County roadways and population continue to expand rapidly, public transportation seems to grow simultaneously, though perhaps not at the same rate. According to US Census statistics, the Lee County population increased by 29.6 percent from 2000 to 2006, while the entire state experienced a 13.2 percent increase in the same time. From 2002 to 2005, several routes on the Lee Tran experienced ridership increases of more than 50 percent, but others experienced decreases of more than ten percent.

The Transit Development Plan of the Lee Tran, created in August 2006, gathered public opinion from a variety of sources. Some people expressed that getting to and from work in Lee County using public transportation can be tricky. "There is not really a major employment hub within Lee County; Fort Myers is about the closest thing to a hub. Employment is more spread out and, therefore, more difficult to serve."

David Farmer, vice chair of membership for the Southwest Florida Urban Land Institute and President of Keystone Companies LLC, said public transportation is not consistent throughout the state and that this area is different from others with successful public transit systems. "When you have a lot of people in one area that want to go to another specific area, at about the same time, you have economy of scale working for you. This is a recipe for success in public transportation." Farmer said Lee County lacks the high density areas and common destinations that are essential to cost effective public transit. Demographics come into play as well, he added. While areas with popular transit systems, such as Tallahassee and Gainesville, usually have younger populations that can better endure outdoor climates, the local area is home to older and wealthier residents. However, he said improvements are possible. "If we had the political will and foresight to see that high density is not bad when planned for properly, we would at least have a fighting chance to have a large-scale revenue neutral public transportation system."

Getting politicians to approve the development of public transit is one thing, but what about getting the public approval? Watson said that statewide there is more demand for public transit than funding. Locally, public discussions involved in the Transit Development study reiterated that Lee County residents are aware of the public transportation system, but they often do not know how to use it. Four public discussions concerning public transit held across the county open to "all interested citizens" drew a total crowd of 17. Furthermore, out of surveys given to the 127 Lee Tran bus drivers, a total of 10 completed surveys were returned, a mere 7.9 percent response rate.

Current Challenges

Although bus riders reported they were "generally satisfied" with the services they received, the Transit Development Plan (TDP), which assessed the present state of the Lee Tran and its outlook for the future, brought attention to some problems with the current system. People requested more service be available later in the evening and on weekends. Certain areas, including Dunbar, and landmarks like the Lee County Civic Center, do not receive service from the Lee Tran. Public opinion gathered in the study suggests that transfers need improvement and waits for these buses can be long. The study states: "There are several routes that almost never arrive on time to Edison Mall and/or the Rosa Parks Intermodal Center in the afternoons." People also voiced concern over security and lack of lighting at the bus stops.

Others requested more adequate shelter to protect from harsh weather conditions and a greater outreach to the Spanish speaking community. The study also indicated that bus drivers need a pay raise. Haley noted that buses receive "rigorous" maintenance checks but are getting older. The TDP showed that the public thought buses seem to be breaking down more often. However, according to the study, the number of "vehicle system failures has decreased significantly since 2001."

In the study, Lee Tran users also expressed concern with cleanliness of the buses. Haley said that more funding is needed. According to the TDP, some of Lee Tran's goals for the future include improving frequency of service, implementing new routes, acquiring new buses, getting more shelters, and the construction of a new administrative facility. The total capital and operating costs of the system was around $26 million in 2006 and is projected to almost double to $50 million by 2015.

Lee vs. Florida

The use of public transportation varies throughout the state. According to the American Public Transportation Association, Miami-Dade Transit is the 12th largest transit agency in the country, in regards to the amount of passenger trips taken. Statistics from 2006 show Lee Tran average weekday ridership surpassed ridership of other systems in Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as the Space Coast Area Transit. Lee Tran ridership was significantly lower than systems in more populated counties like Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Broward. Watson said, "Florida is a patchwork quilt" when it comes to transportation issues because every area is made up of different densities and can be difficult to compare. However, Florida public transportation does seem to have some general similarities. Watson said 70 percent of public transit users in the state are using the systems for employment related purposes. Moreover, he added that in Florida a lack of state levels and sustained funding stunts progress for some systems.

Who rides the Lee Tran?

The TDP gathered information about Lee Tran riders through surveys. The study showed bus riders tend to be permanent residents with annual household incomes of less than $25,000. Most riders use the Lee Tran to get to and from work and a large number of riders do not have a car. The majority of customers surveyed are regular, with more than 90 percent riding more than once a week. On the other hand, trolley riders are mostly seasonal residents with annual household incomes greater than $80,000. Routes extend not only through Fort Myers, but through Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, Lehigh, Bonita, and the entire stretch of Pine Island, from Bokeelia to St. James City. Lee Tran also serves disabled citizens through Passport, an ADA Paratransit service. In 2004, in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley, the Lee Tran provided service to those seeking shelter and people with special needs.

Our bus experience

11:50

We were greeted by a friendly bus driver who told us we could purchase an all day pass on the bus, instead of going all the way to the downtown station. A mere three dollars buys you unlimited rides for 24 hours. Thus, the entire day trip for two cost only six bucks. Despite the fact we no longer needed to go north, we did so anyway since we were already on the bus. It appeared a little worn and dirty, and the air conditioning was not very strong. However, overall, the ride was pleasant. The bus started out with only 11 people and increased by a few along the way.

12:10

We arrived at the Edison Mall transfer stop. Literally two minutes later, the 140 south bus back to the Bell Tower stop came. We were in luck.

12:35

We sat in the bus at the Bell Tower transfer stop for a few minutes to pick up more people. Meanwhile, my Dad and I attempted to produce a detailed plan of how long we would be staying at each destination and when we would have to leave.

12:50

Arriving at the San Carlos Parkway transfer stop, I anticipated a bit of a wait. According to the schedule, the route 60 bus would not come for another half hour. Thank goodness there was a nearby Blockbuster

and Winn Dixie to keep me occupied. Or not. I pulled out my new best friend, the portable fan, and stood about ten feet outside the shelter, where a nice breeze came through under some palm trees. Observing the people around me at the stop, I tried to get a feel for who the riders of the Lee Tran were: a woman going grocery shopping, a college-aged female going to work at Miromar, and a middleaged man. There was also a man with no shirt or shoes on who appeared to live at the stop. I never saw him board the bus. He had a book and some cigarettes. On the whole, it was a diverse group of people.

1:20

Hopping onto the route 60 bus, the blasting air finally cooled me off. It was sparsely populated and appeared brand new and almost spotless. The bus driver greeted everyone courteously.

1:43

Arriving in the parking lot near an entrance of the Miromar shops, I was already hungry for lunch. We stopped for a bite, but we had to hurry if we wanted to make it to our other destinations. The bus picking us up came at 2:23. If we missed it we would have to wait an hour and a half until the 3:58 bus came.

2:23

The bus showed up at the Miromar parking lot. In order to get to Coconut Point, we had to return to the San Carlos transfer

stop. The ride was short and pleasant. The chilly climate was refreshing.

2:45

The shirtless man, and presumably resident of the San Carlos Parkway bus stop, still sat at the bench in the shelter. The heat was starting to get on my nerves. Thankfully, the wait for the next bus was only ten minutes. We left at 3 o'clock.

3:15

The Coconut Point transfer stop had no shelter. In fact, the sun seemed to be shining directly on it. The drop-off area is near Best Buy on the opposite side of the center of Coconut Point where most of the shops are. A little jaunt over the zig-zag bridge and through the parking lot in the 90 something degree weather was…well… not that fun. But a stop at in the well-airconditioned Starbucks perked me up. We were able to visit several stores and still take our time.

4:30

Hiking through the various parking lots and shrub areas that line Coconut Point, we found a Lee Tran pick up sign. There was no shelter or trees for shade. It was perfect for that tan I was working on. Or sunburn. The bus came and took us to the transfer point stop where we were dropped off originally. We waited until around 5 o'clock to leave and were the only passengers on the bus. With the whole bus to myself, I basked in the arctic blast of the air-conditioning unit.

Forget about reading my book. I needed to adjust my body temperature back to normal. I thought the bus may have smelt, but it turned out to be me. I was sweaty, tired, and ready to lie down. Along route 140 going north, we again visited the San Carlos Parkway stop. The shirtless man was standing up this time, smoking a cigarette. One person from the stop got on. The questionable looking man had long brown hair, a few missing teeth, tight black jeans, and a shirt with a cowboy on it. Although the rest of the bus was empty, he came and sat in the back row with us. After he told me I had beautiful eyes, I quickly thanked him and looked the other way. I was grateful my 6'3" Dad/bodyguard had decided to accompany me. I was too tired to continue on all the way to the Tanger Outlet stores, which would have required waiting for the westbound route 50 to pick us up and return us to Bell Tower sometime between 8 and 9pm, according to schedule.

5:20

We made it. The Bell Tower transfer stop had a few people waiting, huddled under the shelter to avoid standing in the pouring rain. Running to my Dad's car, I dreamt about arriving home and showering. While it was nice to take a different excursion, I admit it was even nicer to get back into the comfort of a private vehicle with the ability to control our own departure times and places.

By the numbers

>> In 2006, Americans took 10.1 billion trips on local public transit.

>> 32,820,000 - nationwide number of average weekday passenger trips made on public transit in 2004.

>> Four out of five Americans, or 81 percent, agree that "increased investment in public transportation would strengthen the economy, create jobs, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution and save energy."

>> Public transit allows senior citizens to travel, especially the one-fifth of people 65 and older who do not drive.

>> 50 percent of these non-drivers stay home on any given day partially because they lack transportation. "They make 15 percent fewer trips to doctors, and 65 percent fewer trips for social, family and religious activities."

>> Public transportation riders in the United States save 855 million gallons of gas per year. Transportation service is critical for rural America's 30 million transit-dependent persons, including senior citizens, low-income families and people with disabilities.

>> Every $10 million invested in public transportation saves more than $15 million, for both highway and transit users.

>> If Americans rode transit at the rate of 10 percent of daily travel, the U.S. would reduce its dependence on oil imported from the Persian Gulf by more than 40 percent.

>> On September 11, 2001, public transportation systems in New York City moved people safely away from the World Trade Center disaster. After the attack on the Pentagon, transit systems in the Washington, D.C. area evacuated hundreds of thousands in an early rush hour.

>> Riding a transit bus is 26 times safer than car travel.

>> $20.6 billion is needed annually to maintain and improve performance of the nation's transit systems.

>> Public transportation produces 95 percent less carbon monoxide. It reduces annual emissions of pollutants like volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides, by more than 70,000 tons and 27,000 tons respectively.

>> Lee Tran operates 58 vehicles and covers more than 400 miles of Lee County roadways everyday. It covers 2.9 million miles each year.

Source: American Public Transportation Association and Lee Tran