Atlantic City Weekly

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The Atlantic City Jitney Association (ACJA) is proud to announce that 190 sparkling new green jitneys will begin arriving on the streets of Atlantic City on June 1, at the rate of 65 per week. All of the new jitneys will be in operation by July 1.

It is important to note that this fleet will be powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). Although commonplace on the West Coast, the concept of CNG-powered vehicles is relatively new to the East and to New Jersey. The ACJA has partnered with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA) to fuel these vehicles; the ACJA will also be building a pumping facility that can be used not only by its fleet, but also by other municipalities and businesses that wish to invest in this green technology.

The new vehicles will cost $54,000 each, and half of that sum will be paid by the drivers over a seven-year period. The other half of the funds necessary for the purchase of the new jitneys was a part of a federal stimulus grant that was given to transit authorities in various states to provide money to aid and assist private carriers.

To coincide with the rollout of CNG and the new fleet, the ACJA is reevaluating its business model for the future. Tom Woodruff, the new president of the ACJA, has contacted Richard Stockton College to see if it might have an interest in using the ACJA as a case study for its marketing students. Stockton found this to be an interesting idea and has agreed to work with Woodruff on this project. This is unique in that it gives local students an opportunity to have a real-life experience and to possibly see the fruits of their labor be applied and recognized as a part of Atlantic City’s future. It also allows the ACJA to get a different business perspective from some of their future business leaders.

Woodruff stated the ACJA needs to look internally as to how it operates. Plans going forward will involve a change to its business culture with an emphasis on customer service. All jitney drivers will have green uniforms, collared shirts for the spring-time and jackets for the colder weather. As you may know, the ACJA is comprised of many different ethnic cultures, and plans are in place to instill the idea that its members are more than just drivers, but front-line ambassadors to many of the people who visit our city.

Jitneys are an Atlantic City icon and we need to capitalize on that experience. Rules and regulations that have been set by the ACJA will be enforced to provide the best service possible for the riding public.

Notes of Interest

At the recent Atlantic City Boardwalk Committee meeting, a representative of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) reported that the demolition of the post office building at Pacific Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard will begin in April. The CRDA will landscape the vacant area that will be left after the demolition of the land they control, up to the portion of the block that is owned by Pinnacle Entertainment. There has been no word as to whether Pinnacle will landscape the final portion of that block.

It was further noted during that meeting that the widening of Mississippi Avenue, from Atlantic to Arctic avenues, will be developed by the South Jersey Transportation Authority. It is anticipated work will begin by April.

The CRDA is currently working on a facade program for Virginia Avenue between Atlantic and Pacific avenues. Work on the Boardwalk street ends at Texas and New York avenues will be completed in time for the summer season. When completed, there will be an area for the eateries adjacent to the street ends to have space for tables for their clientele.

A major overhaul of the New Jersey National Guard Armory, at New York Avenue and the White Horse Pike, will be funded by the CRDA, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. The work to be done begins with the replacing of the current flooring that is sinking, the replacement of the HVAC ventilation system, electrical work for overhead power, and site work including landscaping and paving. The facility, which will continue to be used by the National Guard, will be turned into a sports complex that will encompass an indoor track, a soccer field, basketball and volleyball courts that will be intermingled along with rooms for varied additional activities. This is a major undertaking and it’s a credit to the agencies involved to provide for the usage of this facility by the residents and visitors to Atlantic City. The project should be completed by the end of 2010.

A representative of the Special Improvement District noted that the Boardwalk Visitors Center at Park Place had over 200,000 requests for information. However, they also noted that their count of the number of people walking on the Boardwalk had been reduced by over 200,000 from the previous year. One bright spot has been The Walk, which averages over 20,000 visitors a day walking through its shops.

Concern was raised about the operation of the rolling chairs on the Boardwalk. There was a lack of inspectors doing their job in making sure that the operators are abiding by the ordinances that control their operation. This is being looked into by city officials and, hopefully, will be corrected.

Concern was also raised relative to the continued negative reaction that the biggest attraction Atlantic City has — its beaches — continues to be hidden by those walking the boards. At a time when Atlantic City needs to boast of its attractions, one of which is that it is the only city with casinos alongside its oceanfront, comes the concern that those strolling on the Boardwalk cannot see either the beach or the ocean. Hopefully, with a new state administration and a new commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection, changes will be considered.