Lee Tran ready to move into brand new facility

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A dream that’s been in the works for more than 10 years, becomes reality in less than 48 hours.

Lee Tran moves into new headquarters on Saturday, after spending $42 million of mostly federal government money.

“We’re just thrilled to be here,” said Joann Haley.

The operation is taking over the 23 acre, new facility in Fort Myers.

“Saturday morning, our drivers and the buses will leave from the old facility. Then the mechanics will come over there, and that night, the buses will pull in here to their new home,” said Haley.

It’s a big change from the old Lee Tran facility. It was only 4 1/2 acres, and its maintenance area was tiny compared to the massive bays at the new facility.

There’s even a lift, so workers can get under a bus. Some bays are big enough to handle 60 foot, articulated buses, that may come in the future.

“The drivers are unbelievably excited. They’ve got a larger break room, they’ve got lockers, which they’ve never had before,” said Haley.

“I’m sure it’s a real god-send for the staff and drivers to have a better headquarters,” said Lenise Joseph.

Sheriff Mike Scott is asking the county to allow his agency to take over the old facility. He wants to use the bays for maintenance on patrol cars and jail buses.

The county staff is studying the request. Even though Lee County owns the land, there could be a problem because the federal transit agency contributed money to the old place, and may want a say in what happens to it.

In the meantime, Lee Tran is pushing full-speed ahead, moving into the new headquarters. They currently have about 100 buses, trolleys and para-transit vehicles. It expects to get more in coming years, as the need for public transit, grows.