Absecon station

Absecon is a NJ Transit station in Absecon, New Jersey on the Atlantic City Line. It is located at South Station and Ohio Avenues.

Absecon
Station platform in January 2018.
General information
Location	South Station Avenue and Ohio Avenue Absecon, New Jersey
Coordinates	39°25′27″N 74°30′06″W
Owned by	NJ Transit
Platforms	1
Tracks	1
Connections	NJ Transit Bus: 508, 554, 559
Construction
Structure type	Elevated
Platform levels	1
Parking	170 spaces plus 6 accessible spaces
Bicycle facilities	Yes
Accessible	Yes
Other information
Station code	Amtrak: ABN
History
Opened	July 4, 1854 (Camden and Atlantic Railroad)[1] May 23, 1989 (Amtrak)[2] September 17, 1989 (NJ Transit)[3]
Electrified	No
Previous names	Absecon–Pleasantville
Passengers
2012	238 (average weekday)[4]
Services
Preceding station NJ Transit Following station Egg Harbor City toward Philadelphia Atlantic City Line Atlantic City Terminus
Former services Preceding station Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines Following station Pomona toward Camden WJ&S Main Line Atlantic City Terminus

In 1938, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities ordered the elimination of grade crossings in Absecon. The project was more than a mile long and covered five crossings. By this time, the Pennsylvania-Reading Seashore Lines (who owned it at the time) was five years old. the railroad was already working on acquiring land in August of that year. Due to the need to span Absecon Creek and Shore Road, an 'unusual' concrete and steel trestle was planned. It appears that the project was funded, at least in part, by the Public Works Administration. In March 1940, the project reportedly cost $1.5 million and included a 'fireproof' station level with the elevated tracks. Even with the 1989 upgrade of the line owned by NJ Transit, most of the Absecon station still survives 72 years later.

Most commuters drive to Absecon station (or are dropped off by others in cars). In 2019, the Absecon town council applied for transit village status from the New Jersey state government. The program provides state funding for a variety of infrastructure improvements if high-density buildings are added near mass transit locations. In Absecon's case, the proposal would be to build more housing in its downtown within walking distance of the Absecon train station.[5][6]