LeeTran Wraps Up Inaugural Summer Bus Bash With 3 Winners
Sep 01, 2017 01:03PM ● By Kevin
Each year LeeTran puts together a promotion for students with a goal of getting students to ride the bus during the summer. This year's program was the first of its kind: a community scavenger hunt, which recently concluded.
"Riding the bus provides an easy and affordable way to get around town," said LeeTran marketing manager Katie Meckley. "Last year we offered free rides to all students for the first week of summer, but this year we wanted to make the promotion more interactive and be able to run it for more than a week."
The promotion encouraged students, and their parents, to explore Lee County by riding the bus to different businesses and organizations around town. It helped to introduce new places to students, as well as to bring the community together.
Organizing the scavenger hunt gave LeeTran the opportunity to reach out and form partnerships with many local businesses.
"All the businesses we contacted were very excited about the partnership and worked extremely well with us to make the scavenger hunt happen," Meckley said.
The promotion was advertised through radio commercials, print advertisements and through social media.
"The conversation that was fostered on social media was wonderful, and several of our participating businesses also talked about it on their social platforms," Meckley continued.
More than 22,000 people were reached on LeeTrans social media platforms.
Sixteen local business participated in the scavenger hunt. Additionally, prizes were donated from 11 local businesses: AMC Merchants Crossing (16 Movie Passes), Annual Family Membership to IMAG History & Science Center, Beach Day for Two at Lovers Key State Park, Miromar Outlets Gift Certificate, Annual Lee County Parks & Rec Pool Pass, Sanibel Outlets Gift Certificate, Sun Splash Family Water Park Tickets.
Participating locations in the hunt included:
Once they had the map, the participants had to ride the bus and visit at least five out of the 16 businesses participating. Each business had a designated area for the participant to visit and get a signature on the map. Once the participant had at least five signatures, they could turn in the map in the comments box on any LeeTran bus to enter into the prize drawing.
Possible prizes to win included Pure Florida Tickets. The winners were Masion, Mokey and Vinny, who are all in elementary school. They participated in the hunt with their mom. The hunt took them from Bell Tower Shops to Estero to Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach and more. It concluded at Sunsplash Waterpark in Cape Coral.
"We really enjoyed going to some new places to play in Lee County and are so appreciative of Lee Tran for having such a vast and safe system," the kids' mom reported. "Great summer fun! LeeTran can get you there!"
LeeTran is planning on hosting the Summer Bus Bash again next year and is looking forward to more business and resident/family participation.
To obtain a LeeTran ID, simply bring proof of students status and either a photo ID, social security card, birth certificate, or your parent, and for a one-time charge of $1, will receive a LeeTran Student ID to ride the bus for half price year round.
LeeTran just launched its new Ride LeeTran app, which is available on iPhones and Androids. The new app provides real-time bus information as well as route planning help and rider alerts. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also access the information through our website, or go directly to http://bustime.leegov.com
"Riding the bus provides an easy and affordable way to get around town," said LeeTran marketing manager Katie Meckley. "Last year we offered free rides to all students for the first week of summer, but this year we wanted to make the promotion more interactive and be able to run it for more than a week."
The promotion encouraged students, and their parents, to explore Lee County by riding the bus to different businesses and organizations around town. It helped to introduce new places to students, as well as to bring the community together.
Organizing the scavenger hunt gave LeeTran the opportunity to reach out and form partnerships with many local businesses.
"All the businesses we contacted were very excited about the partnership and worked extremely well with us to make the scavenger hunt happen," Meckley said.
The promotion was advertised through radio commercials, print advertisements and through social media.
"The conversation that was fostered on social media was wonderful, and several of our participating businesses also talked about it on their social platforms," Meckley continued.
More than 22,000 people were reached on LeeTrans social media platforms.
Sixteen local business participated in the scavenger hunt. Additionally, prizes were donated from 11 local businesses: AMC Merchants Crossing (16 Movie Passes), Annual Family Membership to IMAG History & Science Center, Beach Day for Two at Lovers Key State Park, Miromar Outlets Gift Certificate, Annual Lee County Parks & Rec Pool Pass, Sanibel Outlets Gift Certificate, Sun Splash Family Water Park Tickets.
Participating locations in the hunt included:
- AMC Merchants Crossing 16
- Bell Tower Shops
- Bonita Springs Public Library
- IMAG History & Science Center
- Lakes Regional Library
- LeeTran Headquarters
- Lovers Key Adventures
- Miromar Outlets
- North Fort Myers Public Library
- North Fort Myers Rec Center
- Riverdale Branch Library
- Sanibel Outlets
- South County Library
- South Trail Fire & Rescue Station 62
- Sun Splash Family Waterpark
- Yogurt Mountain Coconut Point Mall
Once they had the map, the participants had to ride the bus and visit at least five out of the 16 businesses participating. Each business had a designated area for the participant to visit and get a signature on the map. Once the participant had at least five signatures, they could turn in the map in the comments box on any LeeTran bus to enter into the prize drawing.
Possible prizes to win included Pure Florida Tickets. The winners were Masion, Mokey and Vinny, who are all in elementary school. They participated in the hunt with their mom. The hunt took them from Bell Tower Shops to Estero to Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach and more. It concluded at Sunsplash Waterpark in Cape Coral.
"We really enjoyed going to some new places to play in Lee County and are so appreciative of Lee Tran for having such a vast and safe system," the kids' mom reported. "Great summer fun! LeeTran can get you there!"
LeeTran is planning on hosting the Summer Bus Bash again next year and is looking forward to more business and resident/family participation.
About LeeTran
With a LeeTran Student ID students of all ages, college included, can ride all LeeTran buses for half price. Students can obtain a LeeTran Student ID anytime by visiting the customer service office located at the Rosa Parks Transportation Center, 2250 Widman Way, Fort Myers. The transportation center is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.To obtain a LeeTran ID, simply bring proof of students status and either a photo ID, social security card, birth certificate, or your parent, and for a one-time charge of $1, will receive a LeeTran Student ID to ride the bus for half price year round.
LeeTran just launched its new Ride LeeTran app, which is available on iPhones and Androids. The new app provides real-time bus information as well as route planning help and rider alerts. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also access the information through our website, or go directly to http://bustime.leegov.com