I didn’t know
To the editor:
Hoping to ease traffic congestion, I was working on a project to arrange shuttle service, during season, from Matlacha to Pine Island Center. The city of Cape Coral owns the 2-acre parking lot on the right side of D&D Bait and Tackle. I called Lee County Transit (LeeTran) to inquire if they could provide this service with stops in Matlacha. Per Joann Haley, the marketing manager: “That type of service is considered a charter by the Federal Transit Administration and its regulations prohibit us from providing charter service. I know that Good Wheels provides charters with their cutaway vans. They would probably be a more affordable option than a private charter service.”
During the course of our conversation, she told me something I didn’t know. There already is a Pine Island bus route. It is available four times a day, stopping at Publix, Cape Coral Hospital and Coralwood Plaza. The fare is $3. It is only $.75, if you have a Medicare card, or as a Disabled Citizen, Senior Citizen (65 or older) or student with a valid LeeTran ID. Pre-school children under 42 inches ride free. This news was so exciting until I found out the Pine Island route is only available on Thursday. She told me it is a bit different from their other routes. There are no regular stops on the island. “Passengers who want to use it phone the day before at 239-533-8726. We pick them up at the address they provide.”
In case anyone else on the island didn’t know it there you have it!
Diane Cherella
Bokeelia