How To: Car-Free Jersey Shore

Atlantic Cities has a rich history in train transportation. Recently, visitors to the Jersey Shore have benefitted in a revival of car-free options for getting to—and around—the area.

1 minute read

May 17, 2014, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"For the last century or so, though, most Shoregoers have been traveling to the beaches from Brigantine to Cape May by car, and even the less-lazy among them often get around in their own vehicles," according to an article by Robert Strauss. But increasingly, beach towns farther south than Atlantic City are starting to add options for people to get around without their cars.

Although some of the traditional methods of getting to the shore are lost to history (according to Strauss, the Boardwalk once connected to the beach, and you can no longer "take a ride on the Reading" as the Monopoloy card says), there are plenty of cheap options for transportation—trains, buses, trolleys, and even a new jitney service. On that last option: "Over on the Boardwalk, there is a new jitney service this year with modernistic, many-windowed, 15-passenger, battery-powered vehicles that ply the boards 12 hours a day for $3 a ride (less than the $5 for the possibly more romantic rolling chairs)."

Friday, May 16, 2014 in Philadelphia Inquirer

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

June 15 - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15 - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post