FMB ‘Park and Ride’ to limit spaces for tram storage

Beach trams are supposed to get you to and from the beach without wasting your gas and time, but where will they be stored when they are in use during season?

It’s a controversy that is brewing in regards to a bunch of parking spaces that could disappear, favoring storage for the public transit.

Gail Keller and many other visitors use the Park and Ride lot near Fort Myers Beach on a daily basis.

“Usually in the afternoons it’s really full, it’s close because you just go right across the bridge you know?” she said.

They use the lot especially during peak season, and a big perk is that parking there is free. But as traffic picks up, you might have to find a new place to park.

Lee County owns the lot and next month, the county will start using half of the parking spaces, about 30, to store its trams when seasonal service begins.

“There’s probably going to be a lot of people upset because they park here and you know walk across the bridge,” said Paige Allen, who works at a neighboring business.

But the county stresses this is only temporary, and will reopen all spaces once again in May.

Last year the tram had nearly 120,000 riders, which is why the county added a third tram and now needs the extra storage.

“Well I know a lot of people park here to get onto the tram so I don’t know if that’s going to make a difference,” Allen said.

The county says it has to remove three trees to make room for the trams, but assures they will replant the trees afterwards.

While it may be a farther walk, you can always park at the new Park and Ride service off of Pine Ridge Road through May.