The Swamp Trolley
Officially known as the South Orange and Maplewood Street Railway, the Swamp Line was a three-mile-long electric trolley route that operated between 1895 and 1927 between South Orange and West Orange.
How did it get its name?
The trolley earned the nickname "Swamp Line" because it traveled through low-lying, swampy land along the Rahway River. In West Orange, it was also famously known as the "Cross Lots Line" because the tracks crisscrossed through residential backyards.
How was it used?
Long before automobiles were common, the trolley was a vital and practical way of life for the community. The trolley created connection and helped create the "world's first commuters" by allowing people to live in outlying areas and travel to work for just a five-cent fare.
Why did it stop running?
Operations permanently ceased after the line severely flooded and "disappeared into the swamp". Plus, the rise of automobiles and rubber-tired buses led to increasingly crowded streets, rendering the fixed-track trolley obsolete.
What does this have to do with Martin?
Safe streets and an increased tax base are two of Martin’s policy priorities. Creating new public transport options supports both. Expanded jitney service including a restaurant loop connecting our commercial districts can reduce traffic, increase accessibility for seniors, benefit the environment, and drive foot traffic to our local businesses.