From Classic to Current: Wildwood Tram Cars Go Hybrid

Issue #513

November 12, 2025

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🚃From Classic to Current: Wildwood Tram Cars Go Hybrid

🏠 Cape May Ordinance to Expand Housing Above Shops Sparks Debate

🐚Coastal Comeback: Discarded Shells Now a Lifeline for NJ’s Fragile Shores

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Cape May Antiques

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

  November 12

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From Classic to Current: Wildwood Tram Cars Go Hybrid

 A new era is beginning on the Wildwood Boardwalk as the iconic yellow-and-blue Sightseer Tram Cars shift gears into a more sustainable future. After delighting riders since 1949, the beloved trams are undergoing a major update, with hybrid and electric power models being tested to replace aging equipment and reduce the environmental impact of their operation.

The Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District (WSID), which has managed tram operations since 2003, is leading the initiative. Now, with the introduction of hybrid and electric vehicles like the Ford Maverick Hybrid, the focus is turning toward cleaner and more efficient transportation—without sacrificing the charm generations of visitors have come to love.

As the new technology rolls out, some of the original power units are being respectfully retired after years of faithful service. Parts are being salvaged, materials responsibly recycled, and one unit is even being preserved in partnership with the Wildwood Historical Society for public display—ensuring a piece of tram history lives on.

Carrying over 600,000 riders each season, the Sightseer Tram Cars are more than just a way to get around—they're a symbol of summer in Wildwood. Thanks to thoughtful modernization, these rolling memories will continue cruising down the boards for decades to come.

 Cape May Ordinance to Expand Housing Above Shops Sparks Debate

 As Cape May prepares for a public hearing on a proposed workforce housing ordinance, a local resident has raised early concerns about the measure's potential impact on parking and affordability.

At the Nov. 3 City Council meeting, Jules Rauch, a member of the Cape May Taxpayers Association, voiced issues he believes should be considered before the ordinance is adopted. Although he spoke as an individual, not on behalf of the organization, Rauch outlined key concerns he feels are relevant to the upcoming Nov. 17 hearing. The ordinance, introduced on Oct. 21, would expand the city’s workforce housing initiative to the full C-1 business district. It would allow residential units to be built above retail stores—specifically aimed at providing long-term housing for people who work or live in the city, rather than for short-term vacation rentals.

Rauch, however, questioned whether the measure would deliver on that promise. He estimated that the ordinance could add 50 to 100 new residents in the business district, particularly around the Washington Street Mall, but noted that it does not include any requirement for parking spaces for those units. He warned this could worsen already strained parking conditions in the retail zone.

He also raised concerns about affordability, arguing that without some form of financial support or subsidy, the new apartments would likely be priced beyond the reach of the typical worker in Cape May’s retail and tourism industries.

Rauch encouraged the city to notify property owners in the affected district ahead of the hearing, so they can weigh in on the proposal.

City Council members acknowledged his comments but did not respond during the meeting. The public hearing and possible vote on the ordinance is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Nov. 17, at the Cape May City Auditorium, 643 Washington St.

Coastal Comeback: Discarded Shells Now a Lifeline for NJ’s Fragile Shores

 Restaurants along the Jersey Shore are giving new life to discarded oyster and clam shells, using them to bolster New Jersey’s coastline instead of dumping them in landfills. These shells are now being collected and repurposed to build and strengthen oyster reefs in local waterways—a natural solution that protects against erosion, supports marine ecosystems, and improves water quality.

The initiative has been operating in Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May counties with over 30 participating restaurants. Now, with the involvement of Sysco, the world's largest food distributor, the program is scaling up in a big way. This new partnership is expected to bring in hundreds more restaurants from across the state, dramatically expanding the reach of the project without adding extra costs to businesses or customers.

Oyster reefs play a critical role in buffering coastlines from increasingly severe storms, a growing concern as climate change intensifies. By dulling wave impact, these natural structures help reduce shoreline erosion while simultaneously creating habitats for marine life.

 

Which event in Cape May's history led to the rapid development of the city as a major resort destination in the 19th century?

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Answer to the November 11th Trivia Question

What happened to the Mount Vernon Hotel in Cape May, which was intended to be the largest hotel in the world during its construction in the 19th century?

A) It was completed and became a famous landmark.
B) It was abandoned before completion.
C) It was destroyed by a fire before completion.
D) It was converted into a museum.

Answer: C) It was destroyed by a fire before completion​

The MT Vernon opened for a brief time during construction, in order to bring in financial help. It was destroyed by a fire before being completed.

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