Proposed Toll Hikes May Decrease Busses to Atlantic City

Casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey have been seeing a decline in gambling revenue due to more competition from neighboring States. Much of their revenue comes from "day trippers" who take a bus trip to the casino. Some bus companies say they may cut back on their trips to Atlantic City because of toll hikes on the Atlantic City Expressway proposed by the SJTA, (South Jersey Transportation Authority.)

The owners of several bus companies have expressed concerns that the new tolls would cost them thousands of dollars in additional expenses. Harlen Simonson, operations manager for New York-based Paradise Trails said, "It's just easier for the companies to go to other destinations. The prospect of higher costs makes it "more conducive" to work with gaming operations in nearby States."

With Atlantic City Casinos having the worst year in their history, the last thing they need is fewer players visiting because of cutbacks in bus service.