Lee County to Vote on River District Trolley
Commissioners will consider reinstating the free seasonal downtown Fort Myers trolley, which would run from November 19 through April 21.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Seasonal Events
Live Poll
Should Lee County spend public money on a free downtown trolley?
Lee County commissioners will vote Tuesday on approving more than $700,000 to bring back the seasonal River District trolley in downtown Fort Myers. If approved, the free service would run from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, from November 19 through April 21.
Why it matters
The trolley is intended to ease parking shortages and congestion downtown during peak tourist season, a problem business owners say makes traffic difficult. Supporters expect it to draw more customers to local businesses.
The proposal calls for more than $700,000 in combined county and state-supported funding for a free trolley operating 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The source does not provide ridership projections or a breakdown of how the costs would be split.
The players
Dominic Gemelli
Dominic Gemelli is the director of transit for Lee County, overseeing the county's public transportation services and the proposed trolley.
The details
The trolley would connect North Fort Myers to Fort Myers Hall and downtown businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues, with service timed to the periods of highest traffic. Funding would come partly from the City of Fort Myers Community Redevelopment Agency and the Florida Department of Transportation.
Timeline
Tuesday: Lee County commissioners vote on the trolley reinstatement.
November 19, 2026: Trolley service would begin.
April 21, 2027: Trolley service would end for the season.
Seasonal Context
The proposed trolley follows a pattern of seasonal transit built around winter tourist traffic in Southwest Florida, which the county is trying to address with a service that previously operated downtown. Its success would depend on whether it can relieve the parking pressure that peaks during the same months.
Residents and visitors heading downtown during the winter season could use the free trolley to avoid limited parking and heavy traffic if the funding is approved. The service's hours of 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily would cover most dining and entertainment times.
The takeaway
Downtown visitors this winter may want to plan for less parking and consider a free trolley if commissioners approve it. Checking the county's vote results after Tuesday will confirm the service schedule.
What happens next
Lee County commissioners will vote on the trolley funding Tuesday, with service scheduled to begin November 19 if approved.
Further reading
For more on seasonal happenings around town, see Seasonal Events in Fort Myers.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBBH.
Live Poll
Should Lee County spend public money on a free downtown trolley?
