(The following article by Thomas Barlas was posted on the Press of Atlantic City website on February 11.)
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — NJ Transit is researching whether it can link its Atlantic City rail line with the rest of the state, and also offer an upscale rail line between Atlantic City and New York City that would be a boon for casino customers.
The proposed service depends on whether NJ Transit can find the necessary equipment and reach agreement with Amtrak for use of Amtrak lines.
The agreement also must satisfy concerns by Amtrak that it would take a financial hit should enough passengers start using NJ Transit’s proposed expanded service.
NJ Transit Executive Director George Warrington said Thursday a final decision on whether the proposed service is possible could be reached within six months to one year.
Should the services become a reality, Warrington said it would result in better rail service for NJ Transit customers by linking markets in Philadelphia and southern New Jersey with markets in the rest of the state.
“Much of NJ Transit’s current operations are oriented toward moving people to and from New York City,” he said. “The challenge was to expand the opportunity for frequent and speedy connections to Philadelphia as well.
“We could open up the market between central New Jersey, Trenton, Princeton, New Brunswick and ultimately New York City to 30th Street (in Philadelphia).”
Amtrak officials weren’t available for comment.
Casino officials like the proposals.
“Attracting visitors from the New York City market has long been a goal of the casinos in Atlantic City,” Casino Association of New Jersey President Audrey Oswell said in a statement.
“With the opening of new hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and more in Atlantic City, we are seeing an increase in the number of visitors who are looking for an upscale entertainment experience. We would welcome any project that would make it more convenient and enjoyable for guests from New York City to travel to Atlantic City.”
The Atlantic City rail line runs between the Atlantic City Rail Terminal and 30th Street Station in Philadelphia.
To link the Atlantic City rail line with NJ Transit’s Northeast Corridor rail line through central and northern New Jersey, NJ Transit wants to use the Amtrak line that runs between 30th Street Station and Trenton. NJ Transit currently runs on passenger service on that section of Amtrak line.
If linked, passengers could take an NJ Transit train from Atlantic City to Philadelphia, than continue on to Newark. Trains on the line couldn’t continue to New York City because diesel locomotives haul them, and only electric locomotives can pull trains through the Hudson River tunnels to and from New York City. Passengers would have to take other train service into New York City.
Warrington said the bulk of the Atlantic City rail line trains would continue to run between Atlantic City and Philadelphia. Other trains added to the line would make the run to Newark, he said.
Warrington said NJ Transit and Amtrak must reach some kind of commercial agreement that limits Amtrak’s potential lost revenues.
“They wouldn’t want to divert revenue from their lines between central New Jersey and 30th Street Station,” he said.
NJ Transit would also have to get additional locomotives and passenger cars for the service. That problem could be solved by the expected arrival of new equipment in the next few months, Warrington said.
The proposed direct service between New York City and Atlantic City would be geared toward people interested in Atlantic City’s casinos, entertainment venues, shopping centers and other activities.
Warrington said the line would be upscale, using upgraded passenger cars and possibly offering food service. Reservations would be accepted and the cost would be market driven, with NJ Transit looking for the line to “break even and perhaps a make a few dollars.”
The line would bypass Philadelphia and, depending on marketing results, would have what Warrington called a handful of stops between New York City and Philadelphia.
NJ Transit is looking over existing routes to find the best way to link the Atlantic City rail line with other NJ Transit lines leading to New York City. The trains would most probably use both diesel and electric locomotives so they could use the tunnels to and from New York City.
Warrington said he’s discussed the proposal with Curtis Bashaw, executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, or CRDA.
Bashaw couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.
However, he briefly discussed the possibility of Atlantic City-New York City rail service during a recent meeting with The Press of Atlantic City’s editorial board.
“Wouldn’t that be fantastic?” Bashaw said of the service.
No information was available Thursday about any sort of CRDA involvement in the proposed service.
NJ Transit’s Atlantic City rail line started Sept. 17, 1989.
On the first day of service, a woman drove her car around warning gates at a railroad crossing in Berlin, Camden County. A train collided with the car and killed the woman and her 4-year-old daughter.
Ridership fell below NJ Transit expectations, and the agency even considered pulling the plug on the line. It was saved in part by the opening of the state-funded $268 million Atlantic City Convention Center, which adjoins the Atlantic City Rail Terminal.
NJ Transit officials say ridership on the Atlantic City line is growing faster than ridership on its other rail lines.
NJ Transit even embarked on new programs designed to boost ridership, including promoting the rail line to Asian households in Philadelphia to attract more customers to Atlantic City’s casinos.
The cost of taking the rail line could increase by 15 percent this summer as NJ Transit tries to cope with the rising costs of fuel, security and services.
If the fare-hike proposal is approved, the cost of a one-way trip between Philadelphia and Atlantic City will increase by about 90 cents to $7.50.
NJ Transit is holding hearings and informational sessions on the proposed fare increases, including one at Atlantic City Convention Center on Feb. 23.