Jitney's Provide New, Cheaper Way To Travel On Atlantic City Boardwalk
By David Madden
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) - Those popular rolling chairs on the Atlantic City Boardwalk are about to get some electric competition. The 'Boardwalk Jitney' is making its debut.
It's a light version of the small bus that's been a mainstay on Pacific Avenue for decades. It's more like a long golf cart, actually, as Jitney Association President Tom Woodruff sees it -- carrying, on average, ten people at a time.
"The rolling chairs, although iconic, are somewhat pricey," explains Woodruff. "So the person who is looking for an economical ride, or a family of four, for example, that can be rather expensive."
It costs $5 for a six-block push...plus tip, compared to a $3 per person flat fare on the jitney -- starting next weekend. The jitney ride is free until then as Woodruff's people test the idea out.
Hopes are to get the system fully operational by summer. Rolling chair operators say the competition will hurt them, while adding too much traffic to the boardwalk.
