Visitors heading to the Boardwalk this summer will have a convenient way to get around town once again.
Ocean City has approved the return of seasonal jitney service – a program which has become a popular transportation option since it debuted just a few years ago.
The shuttle-style jitneys will begin service for the season on Friday, May 22, coinciding with the Memorial Day weekend kickoff of the Shore’s busy tourism season. After operating during the holiday weekend, service will pause briefly before resuming June 19 and running seven days a week through Labor Day.
The jitneys, operated by the Atlantic City Jitney Association, provide rides along a continuous loop through the island’s central corridor and Boardwalk District. At just $3 per one-way ride, the program offers an affordable alternative for beachgoers who want to skip the challenge of finding convenient parking in the summer months. Children ages 5 and under ride free. Based on figures from previous years, the service can transport more than 13,000 riders in a season of operation.
The jitney service will provide relief from one of Ocean City’s biggest summer frustrations: parking. During peak weekends and holidays, thousands of visitors pour onto the island, and available spaces near the Boardwalk can disappear quickly. Drivers often circle crowded blocks, or wait for meters to open while navigating congested streets filled with beach traffic, pedestrians, electric bikes and golf carts.
For visitors unfamiliar with Ocean City, the service offers a convenient way to explore the island without needing a car. A family staying on the South End, for example, can ride the jitney to the Boardwalk amusement area, enjoy the evening attractions and catch a ride back after sunset.
The jitney program was introduced in 2022 as a pilot transportation initiative, replacing the city’s former trolley service and offering a more flexible, shuttle-style system. Since then, the lime-green-and-white minibuses have become a familiar sight along Ocean City’s main routes during summer evenings.
City officials say the program has been well received by visitors and locals. According to the city’s Community Services Department, the jitneys provide a simple, inexpensive way for people to reach the Boardwalk without worrying about parking meters, expensive lots or long walks after dark.
The service is particularly popular among summer employees working on the Boardwalk and at nearby businesses, many of whom rely on the jitneys as an easy commute option during the busy season.
The main Boardwalk District Loop operates from 5 to 11 p.m. during the summer season. The route runs in a continuous circuit, beginning near 55th Street and West Avenue in the city’s South End, before traveling north toward Battersea Road. It crosses the island using 14th Street and provides access to popular Boardwalk entry points near Ninth Street, Ocean Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.
Riders can board the jitneys at designated stops along the route, making it easy to hop on and off while exploring different parts of the island. Because the route runs in a loop, passengers can travel either north or south, depending on which side of the street they wait on.
On Feb. 26, Ocean City City Council approved a new contract with the Atlantic City Jitney Association to operate the service through 2028. The agreement reflects the city’s confidence in the program and its operator after several successful seasons. City officials praised the company’s reliability and customer service in a memo supporting the contract extension.
“We are confident that the ACJA can continue to provide a high level of consistency and customer service to our residents and visitors alike in 2026 and beyond,” wrote Daniel Kelchner, city director of Community Services.
The projected cost of operating the jitney program in 2026 is about $121,700, which includes the Boardwalk route and transportation services for the city’s senior center.
In addition to the seasonal Boardwalk route, the jitney system also includes a year-round service designed for older residents, connecting Ocean City’s senior population with programs and activities at the Ocean City Community Center.
Beginning this year, the senior shuttle will operate three days a week – Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – and will transition from a fixed-route system to a door-to-door service. The change allows seniors age 60 and older to schedule pickups directly from their homes for transportation to the Community Center. City officials say the new approach will make the service more accessible for residents who may have difficulty traveling to designated stops.
As Ocean City prepares for another busy high season, the return of the jitneys is expected to once again provide a convenient transportation option for visitors and residents alike.
For families heading to the Boardwalk for a night of rides and saltwater taffy, for employees commuting to summer jobs, or for seniors traveling to community programs, the small shuttle buses have become an increasingly familiar part of the city’s summer landscape.
Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.
