Town officials confirmed Monday that the Boardwalk tram service, a fixture since 1964, will not resume operations following a fatal pedestrian collision last year that exposed equipment violations.
The decision came more than a year after a 2-year-old boy from Princess Anne died on August 20, 2024, after running across the concrete tram lane near Dorchester Street toward the wooden boardwalk around 8 p.m. First responders arrived quickly, but the child was pronounced dead at the scene. The tram involved, towed by a Jeep pulling two trailers, struck the toddler as it moved southbound.
Ocean City suspended the service for the 2025 season in April amid an ongoing probe, with initial plans considering a return. City Manager Terry McGean stated this week that the trams are permanently discontinued, the towing Jeeps have been repurposed for other town uses and the trailers are being sold. The matter was settled privately with the boy’s family, and no lawsuit was filed.
A December 9, 2024, police report detailed multiple violations contributing to the incident: the Jeep and trailers operated in breach of Maryland towing laws, the braking systems were defective and the towing configuration was improper. Investigators noted that “the combination of vehicles and braking systems involved in the collision played a consequential role in the death.”
“This decision was not made lightly,” a town spokesperson said in a statement. “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 Boardwalk tram debuted on June 6, 1964, as a simple shuttle to ease foot traffic along the 2.9-mile stretch from South Division Street to 27th Street. The initial fare was 25 cents for a one-way ride, and a second unit was added two weeks later due to demand. Over six decades, the open-air trailers, pulled by Jeeps at about 5 mph, carried millions, peaking at 558 passengers in a single shift during busy summers. Operators used a special button to halt crosswalk signals, and the service ran daily from noon to midnight, charging $5 per adult ride by 2024.
The trams symbolized Ocean City’s resort vibe, offering shaded seats amid Thrasher’s Fries stands and beachfront shops. In June 2024, the town marked the 60th anniversary with events, including historical displays at the Boardwalk’s midpoint. Earlier models lacked today’s safety rails, but upgrades in the 1970s and 1980s added barriers after minor incidents. Still, the 2024 fatality prompted a full halt, the first such suspension in the service’s history.
Financially, the trams generated about $1.5 million in annual revenue last fiscal year, offsetting roughly $1 million in operating costs for a net gain of around $500,000. The 2026 budget projects a $1.56 million shortfall from the absence, covering lost fares and maintenance savings. Town leaders view it as a trade-off for safety, with funds potentially redirecting to other transportation like the Beach Bus, which runs parallel inland and saw ad revenues rise 15 percent in 2025.
Ocean City’s Boardwalk, rebuilt to concrete after a 1962 storm and extended to its current length by 1920, draws over 8 million visitors yearly, many relying on the trams to cover the distance without fatigue. Pedestrian volume spikes in July and August, when families from Baltimore and Washington push strollers amid cotton candy vendors and amusement piers. The accident occurred during evening peak hours, when crowds thicken near family-friendly zones like the inlet end.
Maryland law requires towing setups to maintain secure connections and functional brakes on all units, with violations carrying fines up to $500 and potential license suspensions. Ocean City’s Transportation Division, which oversaw the trams under a dedicated fund, now faces recalibrating schedules. The probe involved the town’s Traffic Safety Unit, reviewing dash cam footage and witness accounts from nearby officers.
Looking ahead, officials plan to “reimagine the Boardwalk” with safe mobility options. McGean said the town is evaluating attractions to link visitors, possibly including expanded bike lanes, electric scooters or low-speed shuttles compliant with pedestrian zones. The Beach Bus, free and covering 40 stops from the inlet to 144th Street, could extend routes, while the OC Bay Hopper water taxis offer bayside alternatives. No timeline exists, but proposals may surface in the 2026 capital budget discussions this winter.
In Worcester County, where Ocean City anchors a $3 billion tourism economy, such changes ripple through seasonal jobs. Tram conductors, often locals earning $15 hourly, shifted to bus or parking roles post-suspension. The boardwalk’s evolution mirrors broader efforts, like 2023 LED lighting upgrades and 2024 accessibility ramps, to balance charm with modern standards.
The discontinuation closes a chapter on a service that ferried generations, from 1960s beachgoers in pedal-pushers to today’s TikTok-scrolling teens. As fall winds clear the sands, town engineers assess the empty tram lane, pondering how to keep the boards buzzing without the familiar rumble.
