On Thursday, Fort Myers Beach Public Safety Committee member Todd Capella said the free Lee County Tram on Fort Myers Beach is useless and needs to go. He would like to see the town say something to Lee County to end the service.
Capella says there are never more than 6 people on the tram and it can only go 11 MPH adding, “It serves no purpose.” It’s not clear why the tram would be a topic for discussion for the public safety committee. It’s certainly not a safety issue. Members of the committee may think it slows down traffic but nobody has ever complained that the tram was unsafe.
For years Lee County has provided the tram free service to Fort Myers Beach through Tourist Development Council funds during season. A post on the Beach Talk Radio page about Capella’s comment Thursday resulted in over 400 comments so far mostly that disagree with his statement.
Many of the comments highlight a need for the tram to be advertised more, especially to let people know it’s free. Others would like it to go further south than the library. The current route travels from the library to Bowditch Beach on a continuous loop.
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Are wll of these so-called workers really working? If so, why are they on the road so much? Are they delivery people or cops? Doubt it, they probably don’t work and live with mom & dad. Nothing to do all day so they drive up & down the island. Maybe their cars are some of those that have the WEIRD smell that the cops are always smelling when they do traffic stops. Get a life young folks; oh and how can you tell an OLD name from a YOUNG name? Asking for a friend….
Keep it . I own a North end Condo ,my renters use it.
If we hope to curtail cars on the island, the tram would be very important. It sounds like we can’t charge tolls to cross the bridge, but if we quadrupled parking fees, that could be a start.
It’s useless and holds up traffic. The guy that brought it up to the board is the only smart one on this whole page.
Agree 100%. It stops wherever people want to get on or off, not just at posted locations, and holds up traffic. While walking today (faster than the tram) it was stopped in the road by old town hall to let people on, traffic backed up, and no traffic to Lani Kai. Just as bad as the sheriff’s deputies who stop traffic to let one pedestrian cross. I saw that today as well by Marcino’s illegal container.
Tram is great just disappointed our original tram has been replaced by a pick up truck and trailer. Perhaps a redesigned quant tram, representative of our Island vibe, would entice ridership.
Notice the names of the people saying “keep it” They are all older people’s names. It backs up traffic and since they are not working, they could care less how many of us that work are sitting in traffic just so a few older people don’t have to drive. Get the trolley to deal with these people. The trolley at least drives the speed limit.
WTF is an “older name”?
Love the tram – it’s free, it’s a great way for those who can’t walk long distances to get to Time Square, and you meet some really nice people on it. what’s the difference if you are sitting in your car in traffic or relaxing on the tram in traffic while someone else does the driving? And it’s very useful for those who might have overindulged at the bars to be able to ride rather than drive under the influence.
We use the tram daily when we are there, great service, and wonderful not to have to drive on the island. Best parts are if you have time, just wait and it will come, friendly people who have lots of knowledge, meeting new people (visitors and Islanders). More advertising would be a big bonus along with a app to see live where it is on its route, can them time your leave. We usually start the walk, keep looking back and hope it comes soon. Not sure we would find it as convenient to visit the island without this service.
I’m so sick of vehicles that drive slow and just hold up traffic. When I see the tram it is usually a few old people sitting in the last car. So traffic is backed up so a few tourists don’t have to rent a car? How many cars does it really keep off the road? Get rid of it. It’s just another traffic stopper.
What are the reasons it now has limited writership, is because a number of the condo associations along its route are not yet open. Like Estero Beach club where we own, and Will have renters when we reopen. The seniors that rent our unit think this is a wonderful benefit.
Writership????
What’s the matter Todd? No kick back money for you from the Tram??
Are you kidding? Keep the tram. We use it all the time. And I like the idea of adding a second set of trams that would run south from the library to Santini Plaza. By the way – the number one complaint is the traffic on FMB – why would you take away something that reduces traffic??? I would suggest FMB promotes the tram more – it’s not well advertised, the pickup spots are not all that clear, etc. This type of free service could really be expanded to help reduce the numbers of cars during season and help the overall traffic situation.
The pick up spots are marked with signs (the same signs for the trolley) all along Estero Blvd.
Keep it. I see riders early in a.m. going to work on it. I for 1 use it some when doing turtle patrol to get back to where I parked my car.
Keep the Tram. It does not run all year. It gives our Island a vacation feel and
it is used. You can say only 6 people ride it, but I also see it full. Isn’t there
anything else the Public Safety committee can focus on?? . I don’t know how it is funded TDC money? Is it a line item our budget?
The purpose was to keep cars off Estero. We as Islanders have used the Tram
many times to go to the Old San Carlos area. Our tourists need something that is convenient and FUN. Once you take it away forget getting it back.
Please consider that many owners like myself are still recovering and rebuilding our condos or homes. Don’t judge rider usage until more of us are able to use the services of the tram. I think it would be more important to work on getting the street lights working and once and for all work on the traffic issue.
Stay…..just a little longer!
Apparently he doesn’t ride the tram, it’s so convenient for the tourists & the seniors & I agree it should stay. One free thing & he’s trying to take away from us!
Keep the tram – expand the coverage. Keep the current loop and add a second loop from the library to Santini.
Agreed, MC. We south end residents / visitors are not served by the free Tram, the trolley runs infrequently, and now that Santini Marina Plaza has businesses plus a thriving Farmers’ Market 2 days per week – the Tram extension to Santini would be welcome and well used.
Agree, 100%
Keep the Tram!! We use it and it is great. It does keep cars off the road. Our nieces love it and soon so will our grandkids, it adds to the fun of the beach. With the traffic it is hard for them to follow a schedule sot the only improvement might be a way to live track each tram it to know where it is. We typically start walking and keep looking back to see if it is coming so we can get to a pickup spot.
I guess Todd would rather have more cars on the road than the tram transporting people. I’m not sure how you came up with your research that claims there are never more than 6 people on the tram. I do agree that it needs to be advertised better, because many people are not aware of where it goes, how often, and that it is free. As I also suggested on BTR’s page, it would be nice if the nondriver could act as a tour guide to point out the many places that the tram passes. When the Woman’s Club sponsored the Christmas Tree Festival, I personally talked to the drivers and nondrivers about the event and gave them flyers to pass out to riders who were interested in attending.
We love and utilize the tram. It helps us when visiting along the beach and when there is never parking available down by Bowditch and Pink Shell. Hop on – Hop off all day!
Keep the tram. Highly publicize that it’s free. (On the engine?) Extend it at least as far as publix. More trolly and trams, both free. Publicize this along with all parking is limited and expensive.
I agree, keep the tram! I’ve never seen it advertised. Advertise it more! Many people, younger and old, have walking issues and the tram is the only way to get from place to place for them. These people could patronize more places with the tram.
The tram does serve a purpose! There are many residents and visitors who cannot walk all the way down to Times Square to eat or shop so they use the tram. Or like us, we walk down and sometimes ride back to our street. It’s nice Especially if it’s raining, or cold and windy. It needs to be advertised more so tourists are aware that it is free. Keeping cars off Estero anyway we can is key.