There was a strange absence on the Ocean City Boardwalk this past summer: no boardwalk trams were running up and down the Boardwalk, carrying vacationers over the 2.9-mile stretch of shops, restaurants, and amusements. The Town of Ocean City suspended tram service for the full 2025 season amid safety concerns. And now the town has announced that the Boardwalk Tram is history: it has been permanently discontinued.
The Town initially halted tram service near the end of the 2024 season because of a horrible tragedy: a 2-year-old boy was struck and killed by a tram Aug. 20, 2024, while heading across the street to catch up with his family.
The local newspaper OC Today-Dispatch obtained the Ocean City Police Department’s investigation report, which cites multiple safety violations involving the Jeep and tram cars on the vehicle that struck the child.
At the start of the 2025 season, the announcement not to restart tram service drew backlash from longtime Ocean City visitors who see the tram as part of their beach tradition. The Boardwalk Tram began operating in 1964, and on its website, the Town touted the half-hour ride as a quintessential Ocean City experience.
City Manager Terry McGean confirmed the permanent closure to Chesapeake Bay Magazine, saying, “The Town acknowledges the long-standing tradition and the fond memories many residents and visitors have of the Boardwalk tram, however after thoughtful review and extensive discussion, the trams will not return in their previous form.”
The permanent closure has received more backlash from vacationers, many of whom return year after year. Some said they are older or have mobility issues, and have counted on the trams to help them get around
The tram was also an important revenue source for the town. The cost per ride was raised after the COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently it cost $5 per one-way ride. It’s estimated that on a peak summer weekend evening, the trams carry up to 4,000 passengers.
While that revenue source is now gone, the city manager says Ocean City is looking for a safer alternative, possibly including more changes on the Boardwalk. McGean says, “The Town is actively exploring ways to reimagine the Boardwalk without the trams and the goal is to introduce new attractions and experiences to connect visitors along the Boardwalk in a safe and enjoyable way.”
