Credit card readers popular with tram riders

With summer coming to a close, Ocean City officials are now calculating revenue made from the trams’ two payment methods: cash or credit.

The resort installed handheld credit card readers on all 16 trams right before Springfest to give visitors a seamless transaction, rather than fumbling for exact change for the $3 ride. Card machines were also installed at the tram booth at North Division Street.

Transit officials said that conductors were apprehensive about the readers initially, but quickly warmed to the idea after finding how simple they were to use.

Revenues suggest that consumers are also enjoying to the new option.

“We are finding more folks are using the credit cards along the Boardwalk, and it’s been very consistent,” Transit Manager Mark Rickards said during Tuesday’s Transportation Commission. “We’re very close to this year’s budget.”

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