LEETRAN SCHEDULES PUBLIC WORKSHOPS FOR SERVICE CHANGES

LeeTran will conduct five public workshops to introduce proposed changes to routes and schedules throughout the Lee County bus system.

Changes are planned for every route in the system except Routes 70 and 100. They include new service linking Lee and Collier counties; realigning Route 150 in Bonita Springs; splitting Route 90 in North Fort Myers into two routes; splitting Route 110 to Lehigh Acres into two routes; and many other realignments and schedule adjustments.

“These proposed changes result from an in-depth study of our system by a team of transit experts,” explained Transit Director Steve Myers. “We’re simplifying some routes, improving frequencies, and adding service to Collier County, which has been one of the most requested improvements for a number of years.”

The public workshops will start at 5:30 p.m. at the following locations and dates:

Tuesday, July 26: Bonita Springs Public Library, 26876 Pine Avenue
Wednesday, July 27: East County Regional Library, 881 Gunnery Road, Lehigh Acres
Monday, Aug. 1: Cape Coral-Lee County Library, 921 SW 39th Terrace
Wednesday, Aug. 3: Lee County Administration Building, 2115 Second St., Fort Myers
Tuesday, Aug. 9: North Fort Myers Public Library, 2001 N. Tamiami Trail NE.

Participants will be able to view maps and schedules of the redesigned routes and provide feedback to LeeTran staff.

Interested parties who cannot come to a workshop can obtain the information at www.rideleetran.com, and submit their comments via e-mail to rideleetran@leegov.com, or by mail to LeeTran, 6035 Landing View Road, Fort Myers, FL 33907.

To request special accommodations to participate in and of these public workshops, call 239-533-0323.

Letter to editor: Hickory Blvd. shoulders

News-Press 7/8/11
Kudos for workers

My family and I would like to thank the DOT
crew for the good work they did putting in
the bike path and resurfacing the road
along Hickory Boulevard in Bonita Springs.

We, who live along here, were expecting a
lot of delays, but the workers were very
efficient in getting the job done.

Everything went so smoothly they kept
things moving right along, painting the lines
and putting in the cat's eyes as they went.
Good job. Thanks and good luck to all of
you.

BETTY SPRIGG

Bonita Springs

Action Alert: Write Congress in support of funding for bicycling and walking

BikeWalkLee is working with its' national partner organizations, Transportation for America,Alliance for Biking and Walking, the League of American Bicyclists, and America Bikes, on the federal transportation legislation. Today, the House Transportation Committee announced its reauthorization bill, and this is what it means for us (according to an Alliance release):

DEDICATED FUNDING FOR BICYCLING AND WALKING HAS BEEN CUT in the House's Transportation proposal. Chairman Mica would eliminate critical Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails Programs, programs that he referred to as “not in the national interest”. Chairman Mica’s statement that these uses remain “eligible” for funding is worthless; without dedicated funding for these three programs they are effectively eliminated.

Things on the Senate side are not much better. Senator James Inhofe, a lead negotiator in the Senate debate, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate ‘frivolous spending for bike trails.’ This is in direct conflict with Senator Barbara Boxer’s commitment to maintain dedicated funding for biking and walking. However, the Senate is working towards a bi-partisan solution – and Senator Inhofe’s comments mean funding for bicycling and pedestrian programs is at risk of total elimination.

HERE ARE A FEW FACTS:
Not in the National Interest?

Biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips in the US – even as funding for biking and walking projects only account for 1.5% of the federal transportation budget. – that’s more than 4 billion bicycle trips and 40 billion walking trips a year- including trips to work, school, shopping and for recreation and tourism.

Frivolous?

Bicyclists and pedestrians are the victims of reckless highway design, accounting for 14% of all traffic related deaths. Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths are on federally funded highways. Bicycling and walking programs build sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways, improving accessibility and saving lives.

The Facts

Biking and walking are important forms of transportation, and dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is a very efficient use of federal transportation dollars. Portland, Oregon built a 300-mile network of bike lanes, multi-use trails, and bike boulevards for the cost of one mile of highway.

These projects also create jobs, and build local economies. Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent. Cities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects turn downtowns into destinations, and capitalize on increased business activity.

Finally, shifting 1.5% of transportation spending has no impact on the federal budget, but instead, decreases transportation options for American families in a time of rising gas prices and an uncertain economy.

ACTION ALERT:

Help Protect Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Contact your Representative and Senators, and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue dedicated funding for these important biking and walking programs. Click here to send a letter.