Study Says More Frequent Atlantic City Service Would Boost NJT Ridership
By Mike DeNardo
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) -- If trains on the Atlantic City rail line ran more often, more people would ride, according to a study reportedly prepared for New Jersey Transit.
The final draft of a study, obtained by the Philadelphia Inquirer, says if New Jersey Transit started hourly service on its Atlantic City rail line, ridership would double.
NJ Transit runs 12 daily trains in each direction now, with as much as 2½ hours between trains.
NJ Transit spokesman John Durso wouldn't comment on whether the agency could afford the more than $200 million that increasing service would cost.
"New Jersey Transit is proving a ride for every customer who wants one, whether it's on the Atlantic City line, whether it's on the River Line, or throughout our system," he said today. "We're operating our service which specifically meets customer demand."
The study said ridership would grow even more if a new station and bus link to Atlantic City International Airport were added.
Durso says NJT is doing extensive marketing for its new Pennsauken Transportation Center, which links the River Line to Atlantic City trains (see related story).
