Station Review #45: Atlantic City (NJT)

Atlantic City is the eastern terminus station of NJT's Atlantic City line, located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. 

History


The old Atlantic City Union Station 

Atlantic City used to originally have competing lines from the Reading and Pennsylvania railroads for a long while. This changed in the 1930s, though and both merged their South Jersey assets to form the PRSL. In 1934, Atlantic City Union Station was built, and with the building of this station was the creation of an icon. It was located at Arctic and Arkansas avenues, and was incredibly important for the well-being of the city.

Unfortunately, Atlantic City Union Station lost train service in 1964, which had been removed in the creation of the Atlantic City Expressway. Atlantic City Union Station kept being used for bus service until 1997 when it was completely torn down and replaced by an outlet mall called The Walk. A new bus station was built nearby at Atlantic Avenue and Ohio Avenue called Atlantic City Bus Terminal. The old chandeliers are retained there, as well. 

Tour

Not like I ever wanted to visit it!

There is a lot at the station, let's start from the outside. But before anything, make a note in your head that this station is extremely far away from everything on the western side of the island. The station is not only far away from everything but is right next to a highway, so we're already not off to a great start. 

Station Building

In all honesty, the station building is very bland, and I dislike how it looks. Inside the station is much nicer than outside the station, though. I suspect that you are not supposed to actually look at the outside of the actual station building at all, but rather look at the building immediately next to it, mistaking it for the station building. 

I mean, I can kind of see how you'd do that, but it doesn't fool me! 

It was incredibly hot out when I visited, and inside the station, there's air conditioning. 

Inside the Station 


Unexpected sight

Inside the station, there's also a restaurant, which is a much more uncommon sight nowadays, especially for most NJT outward terminals. But then again, the only outbound terminals that actually have anything of this much significance at all are Atlantic City, Trenton, and Princeton, 

Inside as a whole

Transit Police desk

Schedules

Screen

Ticket Office

The famous flip board, similar to the one that was once in 30th Street Station

Platforms


Comet cars at the platforms

The platforms are certainly interesting, to say the least

Like where else could you see a sight like this in New Jersey? 

There are three platforms at the station (including one island platform) for passengers. The station is also used as a small yard for trains on the line as well. 

Much of the track ballast at the station is mostly or even entirely just sand, as sand is plentiful in this area. 

Two GP40s 

If you go towards the western end of the platforms to take photos of the locomotives, be aware that they are incredibly loud in that area. 

Besides that, there really is not much about Atlantic City station's platforms that is of note compared to other stations that have a yard and platforms in the back. You get onto your train, and leave. 

Bus Connections 

There are a few bus connections at Atlantic City station. These include:

NJT

Ironically enough, NJT has very few bus connections that go directly to Atlantic City station. The 504 and 505 go very close by the station, but you still need to cross the Atlantic City Expressway (which is possible where the buses are but still an ordeal) 

Other


Multiple Atlantic City Jitney Association buses stop at Atlantic City station. Information about theses buses is incredibly limited, however. Tropicana Casino also runs a shuttle bus from Atlantic City station to the Tropicana Casino, as well. Additionally, Ourbus runs a bus to Atlantic City from New York City that stops at the train station. 

Things to Do in Atlantic City

There are so many things to do in Atlantic City that I wouldn't be able to list a lot of them here. Atlantic City is a giant tourist city. You will probably have an amount of fun there, especially if you're like me and like taking pictures of things! 

Statistics


Name: Atlantic City
Agency: NJT
Line(s): Atlantic City 
Locality: Atlantic City 
City/Township: Atlantic City 
County: Atlantic
Ridership: 594 per day (2018)

Amenity Checklist


Accessible: ✓
Bathrooms: ✓
Clean Station: ✓
Connections to other transit routes: ✓
Convenience Store/similar place inside: ✓
Easy passage for each side: ✓
Fare Payment Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Good Wayfinding: ✓
Indoor Shelters: ✓
Maps: ✓
Multiple entrances/exits: ✓
Seating: ✓
Shelters: ✓
Station In Good Condition: ✓
Ticket Kiosks (if applicable): ✓
Ticket Offices: ✓
TOD: ✓
Train Departure/Arrival Info (signs that update/screens): ✓
Updated/Useful Signage: ✓

Final Verdict: 9/10, I just wish it was closer

Station Directory

--------Pennsylvania--------
--------Philadelphia County--------
30th Street
--------New Jersey--------
--------Camden County--------
Pennsauken Transit Center
Cherry Hill
Lindenwold
Atco
--------Atlantic County--------
Haddonfield
Egg Harbor City
Absecon
Atlantic City

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