Floss Stingel, the woman behind Wildwood’s famous tram warning—“Watch the tram car, please!”—is taking legal action against the Jersey Shore town, claiming she hasn’t been fairly compensated for her voice. In 1971, Stingel recorded the line as a favor for her then-boyfriend who worked for the tram owners.
Since then, her recording has become synonymous with the Wildwood boardwalk, played up to 6,000 times daily. Yet, Stingel says all she’s received are occasional free tram tickets.
Her lawsuit alleges that Wildwood and other defendants monetized her voice without her consent, using it at public events, on tourism sites, and even on souvenirs. Stingel argues that her voice helped build the tram’s brand and that the defendants unjustly profited from her likeness without providing proper compensation.
Although Stingel hasn’t specified a monetary amount, her legal team wants the profits directly linked to the use of her recording.
The tram generates around $2.5 million a year from its $5 fares, and her voice is seen as central to the attraction’s legacy. This lawsuit may lead to a re-evaluation of how public attractions acknowledge the voices that help create their memorable experiences.