New Fast Train Will Take You to Atlantic City, Penury

The unemployment numbers are tough, so it's a good time to head for Atlantic City and make the rent the old-fashioned way. Today Atlantic City Express Service, aka ACES, joins Jersey Governor Jon Corzine to christen their direct (with one stop in Newark) weekend service between Penn Station and the land of free drinks and lost college savings. ACES takes less than three hours and you can ride for as little as $25, though high rollers can luxuriate in the "leather lounge" for between $200 and $300. Senator Frank Lauterberg lauds the service because "Travelers are tired of wasting their time on congested roads and highways," preferring to gamble while the fit is on them. "The success of this project is not about generating revenue from the train," says ACES senior vp Auggie Cipollini, which is why four Atlantic City casinos are partners in the enterprise. Think of it: no more fantasies of cracking up the car on the way back from a losing streak.