New York City to Atlantic City Express Train Coming Soon!

New York City to Atlantic City Express Train - Fall of 2007! Two casinos in Atlantic City along with the New Jersey Transit Authority have signed a contract today, finalizing train service between New York City and the second largest United States gambling market, a spokeswoman for one of the companies said.

The service, scheduled to start in 2007 /2 008, is expected to help Atlantic City casinos attract younger and more affluent customers from New York, New York City and Northern New Jersey. Now, customers usually take either a bus or drive from New York City to the oceanside resort, Atlantic City.

“This will help us attract customers who haven’t visited Atlantic City in some time because they don't have a car,” said Michael Facenda, from the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, a joint venture between Boyd Gaming Corporation and MGM Mirage.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., the world’s largest gambling company (Owns Harrah's, Showboat, Caesar's and Bally's in Atlantic City), have formed a joint venture company for this purpose, Facenda said. They are investing roughly $17 million to buy and refurbish rail cars / trains.

The companies have purchased eight cars from Bombardier Inc. , Facenda said.

New Jersey Transit, the state’s public transportation corporation, is contributing two electric locomotives and will operate trains. New Jersey’s Casino Reinvestment Development Authority will give $1.5 million a year for two diesel locomotives.

The rail / train service will initially operate from Friday to Sunday and is expected to carry about 2,500 people back and forth every weekend, Facenda said.

The express train from New York’s Penn Station will likely have one stop in New Jersey on its way to Atlantic City, Facenda said. The trip should take about 2 hours 40 minutes, about the same time as it takes on a bus or to drive from Manhattan.

This is a huge step to continue the growth of Atlantic City, NJ.