To The Editor:

This needs to get out to everyone living in Lehigh Acres.

There is a Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization Long Range Transportation Workshop (LRTP) on Monday July 19 from 5-7 p.m. The purpose of the workshop is to receive public input on the transportation needs for Lee County through 2035.

Coming from a person that rides the Lateran bus every day, I assure you that Lehigh needs to receive better attention to the communities transportation needs.

There have been recent changes that reduced service coverage and times and without strong support they will continue to cut service. There are large time gaps in the service. There should be a bus that runs every hour between Publix plaza and Edison Mall with another bus that only runs throughout Lehigh transporting residents to Publix plaza and within the community.

Another issue is that there should be a stop at the Forum to and from the mall. The closest stop is at Sweetbay and I have seen many people have to make the long walk to the Forum in heat and rain. This is unacceptable since the Forum is a destination for members of our community for shopping and employment.

Also to be covered at this workshop are the bicycle and pedestrian needs. I believe we need to address this issue amongst our various community organizations and unite as once voice to express our wants and needs for future Transportation issues.

Matthew Gordon

Lehigh Acres