By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Starting on May 27, Ocean City began transporting passengers via jitney across the island, allowing for easier parking and cheaper service.
Fare starts as little as $2 and will provide rides between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily during the peak season. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, jitneys will be in operation between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and take guests to and from Asbury Avenue. The downtown line will run between June 14 and Aug. 25. The city will adjust the schedule as they accumulate ridership data.
Boardwalk rides begin June 17 regularly, but will also be available June 3, June 4, June 10 and June 11. The jitneys will run a continuous loop between 55th and North streets. The city has created a map and schedule for people interested in specific details.
Ocean City has collaborated with the app Jitney Surfer to help potential riders navigate their transportation. The app alerts users of moving jitneys and will soon take payment for rides through credit/debit cards (the jitney can only be paid for through cash as of today). Jitney Surfer also includes basic tourism information on Ocean City and its attractions. The app is available via the App Store and Google Play store.
“Providing safe and reliable transportation during the busy summer season is one of our greatest needs, and I’m looking forward to offering this service to our residents and guests,” Mayor Jay Gillian said. “Riders will be able to pay a small fare through an app and also track the location of the jitneys, so they don’t have to wait at the curb for too long.”
The decision to create a jitney service was based on a 2019 economic study conducted by Econsult Solutions, which analyzed economic and tourism trends and provided recommendations to help America’s Greatest Family Resort become even better. Other recommendations included more diversity between housing options, such as Airbnbs, more signage to assist pedestrians, and a variety of attractions that would interest new populations of tourists.
It’s no secret that parking near the Boardwalk and downtown Asbury Avenue can be costly and time-consuming. City officials reported that they expect beachgoers and shoppers to optimize the new jitney service, along with the Parkmobile parking payment app.
“I took a giant sigh of relief when I heard about the new jitney service,” said Kaitlyn Crosstree, an Ardmore resident who spends at least three weeks in Ocean City with her family every summer. “I have three kids and a husband who loves convenience, so this addition makes us even more sure that Ocean City is the best vacation spot for families.”
For more information on the jitney service and the 2022 schedule, visit the Ocean City website at https://www.ocnj.us/JITNEY#:~:text=For%20a%
