Pilot Program Launches Electric Beach Shuttle Today

Bonita Springs, FL · June 30, 2026

The humidity is already making its presence known this morning, but the first run of the new beach shuttle should make the trip to the sand a lot cooler. If you’re heading toward the water, look for the new signage near the Liles Hotel.

📰 The Lead

Today marks the official launch of the "Bonita Breeze" pilot program, a fleet of three electric shuttles designed to ferry residents from the Old 41 corridor directly to Bonita Beach Park. City officials hope this six-month trial will alleviate the perennial parking headaches at the shore while encouraging foot traffic for downtown businesses. The shuttles are free to ride and equipped with racks for beach chairs and coolers. If ridership hits the projected targets by December, the city plans to expand the fleet and add a permanent route through the northern neighborhoods. It’s a low-stakes experiment that could fundamentally change how we navigate the busiest Saturdays of the year. The first shuttle departs from the Liles Hotel parking lot at 9:00 AM sharp.

🏙️ Local Pulse

  • Riverside Park Playground Gets Shaded — New high-tension fabric canopies were completed yesterday, offering much-needed relief for families during the midday heat.

  • Imperial River Water Quality Gains — The latest monthly testing shows nutrient levels at a three-year low following the completion of the upstream bioswale project.

⛈️ Today's Outlook

  • High 91°F · Low 76°F — Thunderstorms (31% chance of precipitation)
    • Keep an eye on the sky after 2 PM; those clouds move in fast.

📅 What's On Around Town

  • Summer Craft Workshop — Bonita Springs Public Library, 10:30 AM Create coastal-themed suncatchers; all materials provided for this all-ages session.

  • Tuesday Night Trivia — Ceremony Brewing, 7:00 PM Test your knowledge of 90s pop culture while cooling off with a local pour.

  • Estero: Guided Mangrove Walk — Mound House, 9:00 AM A short drive north for a naturalist-led tour through the ancient shell mound.

  • Naples: Sunset Pier Concert — Naples Pier, 6:30 PM Live acoustic sets as the sun goes down; bring a folding chair.

📸 Spotlight & Story

  • Buffalo Chips Family Restaurant Al and the crew have been serving up wings and local lore on Old 41 since 1982. The walls are a living museum of city history, featuring vintage photos and memorabilia that predate the city's official incorporation.

Bonita Springs Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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