This summer, three popular Atlantic City bars and taverns will partner with Sea Isle City Jitney and the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign to offer their patrons free designated driver rides between the three establishments.

The complimentary service, called ‘3 Bars and a Jitney,’ is the creation of Atlantic City’s Wonder Bar, the Ducktown Tavern and the Vagabond Tap House.  Their patrons will be able to board the jitney at any of the three establishments for a free ride to each of the other two bars, only. The ride program has been approved by Atlantic City’s City Council, according to the bar owners.

Each jitney used for the service will feature the HERO Campaign slogan: ‘Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver,’ and its logo.

John Exadakotilos of the Ducktown Tavern, Brian Miranda of Wonder Bar, and Tom Harris of Vagabond Tavern said the ‘3 Bars and a Jitney’ service will kick off on May 5 for the annual ‘Cinco de Mayo’ celebration. Once the summer season begins, the service will run from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

“This free-ride program will help keep people safe as they travel between each of the taverns, and remind their patrons to have a designated driver when they return home,” said Bill Elliott, chairman of the HERO Campaign. “We applaud their initiative in support of the HERO Campaign and its mission to prevent drinking and driving.”

The cost of putting the HERO slogan and label on the jitneys is being covered by the taverns and Sea Isle City Jitney.

“It’s a community service,” said John Exadakotilos, of Ducktown Tavern. “Everybody wins with this idea.”

In addition to the several jitneys needed for the ‘3 Bars and a Jitney’ service, a total of 14 jitneys will include the HERO message as they provide ride services for Sea Isle City and Avalon this summer.