Wildwood to Atlantic City – Stop ‘watch the tram car,’ please

WILDWOOD, N.J. (AP) -- A five-word catchphrase is creating tension between Wildwood and Atlantic City.

The Press of Atlantic City reported that the "watch the tram car, please" recording was still being used on the Atlantic City boardwalk on Wednesday despite requests for its removal.

The recording has been used since the 1970s on the boardwalk in Wildwood to warn pedestrians about approaching tram cars. It has been used on the Atlantic City boardwalk this year after the city launched its own tram-car operation.

Wildwood officials raised concerns last week against the use of the phrase and have threatened to bring legal action against Atlantic City and tram car operator B&B Parking if the recording is not removed.

The owner of B&B Parking, Tim Boland, said there have been delays in making a new recording. He said there are safety concerns about operating the trams without any recording to warn people on the Boardwalk.

"We are hoping to have it done by the end of the week," Boland said. "It will stay very similar, just a different voice."

Patrick Rosenello, executive director of the Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District, said that because the recording hasn't been taken off, the district plans to send legal notices to B&B Parking and Atlantic City as soon as possible.

The recording isn't trademarked but Rosenello said the district has proprietary ownership of the recording. The clip was recorded by the Ramagosa family-- who originally owned the Sightseer tram cars until 2004 --in 1971 and it has been used ever since.

Director of Atlantic City's Licensing Department Dale Finch said he would again reach out to B&B Parking and reiterate the need for a new recording

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