Train Linking Atlantic City and New York Opening Scheduled for Fall 2007

Newark, NY --- Casinos are quick to pick up the tab on train fares for the trains linking New York to Atlantic City, for the convenience of high rollers. The casino train service is scheduled for a fall 2007 opening. The opening schedule of the casino train service was set to coincide with the late 2007 opening of several major casino building projects of high-end restaurants, retail, night clubs and hotel rooms aimed to tickle the fancy of a more diverse audience, including those that are looking for something other than gambling.

"The timing couldn't be better," said senior vice president and chief administrative officer of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Auggie Cipollini. "By the end of 2007, Atlantic City will offer more to customers."

The casino train is scheduled to make the trip from New York to Atlantic City in 2 1/2 hours and an estimated 1,100 people are expected to ride to-and-fro on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday service.

Aside from raking in the casino customers from New York, the casino train service will also give the opportunity for South Jersey residents to ride an express train going to New York. Board member Flora Castillo said talks with the casino industry about the casino train started three years ago.

New Jersey Transit's board of trustees has approved Monday a three-year contract with Atlantic City Express Service LLC, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and a syndicate of three casino big names - the Borgata, Harrah's and Caesars, to pay $4 million a year to run weekend-only express trains. The board also revised the NJ transit agency's contract with Bombardier. They are set to purchase eight bi-level railcars for $11 million to be likewise charged back to the Atlantic City Express partnership.

The casino trains car lineup will consist of four leased Amtrak diesel locomotives and eight new bi-level cars. Food and beverages will be offered on board, and the railcars will be fitted with more comfortable seating, Cipollini said.

A late 1980's casino train service preceded this project the Amtrak Atlantic City service, but that venture didn't take off. "There were too many stops, and it took too long. Two-and-a-half hours is the right time, versus three to three-and-a-half hours, if there are too many stops," adds Cipollini

One goal is to keep the ride to 2 1/2 hours by limiting the number of stops, which the Amtrak Atlantic City service of the late 1980s didn't do, Cipollini said.

Particulars on the fare and possible stops in New Jersey are to be settled between the Atlantic City consortium and NJ Transit, according to state transportation commissioner and NJ Transit board chairman Kris Kolluri.