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Casinos Gamble on Train to Goose Biz The new direct connect service will link NYC and Atlantic City for the first time. Friday, February 06, 2009 Glenn Haussman

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Right about now, the Atlantic City gaming market really needs to have an ace up its sleeve in order to goose business. And, fortunately, three of the city’s dozen casinos feel they have just that. Launching today from New York City is the brand new Atlantic City Express Service (ACES) - a joint venture between Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah's Resort Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa - that will offer weekend train service between New York’s Penn Station and Atlantic City. The direct service between the two cities launches today.
After more than three years of planning, Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah's Resort Atlantic City and Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa are finally launching a service that casino resort executives believe will get the properties access to a yet-untapped market: New Yorkers without cars.

“We stepped up to the plate and this is a great new offering. Travelers can go from the center of New York to the center of Atlantic City,” said Joe Domenico, GM for Caesars and Bally’s. “This is a great place to socialize and walk around. Given the dynamics of the changes in the gaming market, you have to think differently. This [New York] is a key area to grow business for some folks that rely on mass transit. We have done our research and we are optimistic about the potential for success.”

ACES features eight multi-level rail cars offering passengers leather seating, a private lounge, custom-designed food and beverage kiosks and both first- and coach-class travel experiences. Seats sell for $50 in coach and $75 in first-class.  First-class also features servers selling food and beverages.

Through a management contract with ACES, NJ TRANSIT will operate the trains and Amtrak will provide the ticketing and reservations system.  ACES commissioned car manufacturer Bombardier Transportation to make all the interior upgrades and modifications. Compass Group will handle food & beverage service and STV Inc. acted as the overall project manager. Julien Inc. designed and built the food & beverage kiosks, lounge and luggage racks, and KSU Inc. was responsible for the design and building of the seats.

Dan Douglas, Public Information Officer with the Casino Redevelopment Authority, said the group made a $4.5 million investment in the project in addition to what the casinos ponied up.  “This is the right time to do something like this. ACES train will be a shot in the arm for the city and the gaming industry. The more people see Atlantic City, the more they like it,” said Douglas.

These days the Atlantic City market could use all the help it can get. After decades of setting year-over-year annual revenue records, the jurisdiction has been rapidly declining. While the current state of the economy is to blame, the bigger problem has been the legalization of slot machines in nearby Pennsylvania two years ago, which has been siphoning off considerable business from day trippers choosing to stay closer to home rather than take the hour-plus trip to The Shore.

Casino revenues fell 7.6 percent in 2008 to $4.55 billion, according to figures recently released by the state Casino Control Commission. Slot machine revenues declined by 9.6 percent to $3.13 billion for the year, while revenue from table games decreased by 3 percent to $1.41 billion.


“Last year was a very challenging one for Atlantic City's casinos,” Casino Control Commission Chair Linda M. Kassekert said. “While the economic problems that face this nation took their toll on casinos in 2008, the industry was also hurt by growing competition in neighboring states and a partial ban on smoking in casinos.”

The ACES train includes two four-car multi-level trains with a private lounge featuring audio visual capabilities available for larger groups to rent so that they can travel, eat and drink together in a fun and relaxed group environment.

The service also directly connects New York City and Atlantic City for the first time for a trip that takes, on average, 2.5 hours and runs on existing NJ TRANSIT rail lines. ACES will provide a complimentary shuttle service from the Atlantic City Terminal station to Harrah’s, Caesars and Borgata; return service will be provided only for passengers with reserved tickets for ACES.

“Now, more than ever, this is a great opportunity,” said the Borgata’s Auggie Cipollin. “A big segment of travelers haven’t been to visit Atlantic City because of the transportation issue. This solves that problem in a way that also adds to the entire experience.”