Onerous state regulations and safety concerns led Ocean City officials to shutter its 61-year tram service along the Boardwalk this week. But Mayor Rick Meehan has vowed to consider alternative options amid an outpouring of concern.
“The book is open. If there’s ever a path for the tram [to return] I think it’s something we’d all want to pursue,” he told The Baltimore Sun. “It’s not the decision we wanted to make.”
Many Ocean City visitors consider the tram a nostalgic part of family visits to the resort town, particularly those who have difficulty navigating the full 3-mile boardwalk. But tram service was suspended in August of last year after a 2-year-old boy was struck and killed.
The ensuing police investigation raised safety concerns and flagged multiple equipment violations in some tram cars, prompting law enforcement to advise Ocean City officials to treat the Boardwalk like a roadway. That meant complete compliance with state highway regulations and stricter licensing requirements for tram drivers, which Meehan said the resort town couldn’t keep up with.
“It became insurmountable and just something we’re not able to do at this time,” he said
In regards to the safety concerns, the Ocean City Police Department performed an investigation into the incident and detailed their findings in a December 2024 report. No charges were filed against the tram driver, but multiple safety violations were found, including brake issues on some tram cars and the fact the Jeep pulling the tram was towing more than three times the maximum weight permitted under state law.
Ocean City residents want the tram
Ocean City residents acknowledged the safety concerns this week, but argued the tram, or something like it, was needed in order to help some of the older people who visit.
“A lot of people need help really going more than a few blocks,” Kristy Miller said. “It would be nice that, when they do come, that they would be able to see the whole Boardwalk.”
Speaking at the town council’s Monday meeting, Miller suggested the resort look at Atlantic City, New Jersey or other communities where smaller tram cars operate on a regular basis.
“[Atlantic City] had multiple of them, and it seemed to be working out just fine,” she said. “Maybe our older version of a really long train could be discontinued, and we could do smaller ones.”
Wildwood, New Jersey, for example, operates a tram service, primarily with battery-operated units pulling the cars. That model is being re-examined, with the town this year testing out a hybrid Ford Maverick truck in the towing role. Atlantic City now uses more of a mini-bus model.
Speaking Monday at the Ocean City meeting, Martin Branigan said he and his wife enjoy the neighborhood aspects of the resort, even sometimes braving the Boardwalk during peak summer season, where they’ve ridden the tram for many years.
“We’re lucky. At our age, in the mid-seventies, we can still walk it,” he said. “But the day’s going to come when we can’t.”
Along with not being able to walk the Boardwalk, Branigan said he’ll miss riding the tram through Northside Park during the annual Winterfest of Lights event each Christmas.
“I’m not looking forward to that day showing up,” he said. “I think this is really a disappointing decision.”
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