Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-03-26
. 'J|TNEY' SYSTEMS
PROVING POPULAR
New Transportation Movement
Has Attained Wonderful Success
in Many Cities

The jitney bus business, which
made its successful start in Harris
burg yesterday with one Ford car, and
is expected to develop to large pro-
portions when the HaIrisburg Jitney
Transportation Company secures its
charter, is a movement that has
sprung into almost instant popularity
in all sections of the country.
The jitney has come so suddenly
! that it is impossible to determine
whether or not 1t is the forerunner of
a permanent service that will resist
all the opposition that is sure to come.
The authorities, both municipal and
State, are wrestling with the problem
of proper regulation.
Among the advantages of the Jitney
are the impossibility of the whole sys-
tenn being tied up through accident
to a central power plant; the freedom
from crowded conditions and strap
hanging, and the accommodations of
entering and alighting at any point
along the street curb.
Started in West
The jitney bus idea originated in
the West, where ii has reached great
proportions. In San Francisco, Los
Angeles. Seattle and Portland, Ore,
more than 1000 iitneys are operating
with daily receipts estimated at $50
900, which means loss to the street
car companies of about $7,0OO,OOO a
year. In some Western cities the
| trolley companies have started to
| fight the "jits," but the busses have
come back with the threat three
cents for children" and the electrics
have been silenced.
In Kansas City 100 jitneys are in
| operation. In less than two weeks
after the first scent bus appeared
there were more than 100 in business,
and the large number now are said to
| be doing good business, every car usu-
ally being filled, morning, afternoon
and night.
Grew Up Overnight
| The jitney business in Houston,
Texas, grew up overnight and now in
cludes ESQ cars. The first step toward
city regulation is now in progress and
the jitney men fear 1t will ruin their
business. At a recent meeting of the
bus drivers in that city an average
net income of 81 to 81 day was re-
ported.
city of the jitney's birth, it is not now
SO profitable on account of the great
numbers who have taken up the busi-
ness The first Ford jitney wars seen
last summer and now there are more
than 1900 in use, making such COM
petition that receipts have dWlndled
so as almost TO rum lne DuSineSS. Inc
daily receipts average about $3.50,
and expenses 50 or $3.50 for an eight
hour day. According to Los Angeles
street railway officials, trolley receipts
have decreased about $4,000 day
since the advent of the jitney.
Make Good Profits
In Seattle Wash, 600 Jitneys are
operating at an average daily profit
of S2.33. The first bus made its APP
pcarance two and half months ago
and it is estimated that at the end ot
a year the traction company's bust
ness will have been reduced $1,000
600. After the first leap into instant
popularity, the excitement waned
somewhat, and the large number OF
accidents due to inexperienced drivers
and abnormal congestion at crossings
further reduced their popularity, eX-
cept on short hauls.
In Baltimore the jitney system was
recently introduced and is success
according to the promoters. The lines
carry passengers over route two
and q half miles for cents.
In Philadelphia the jitney is favored
as offering a relief to the transit
problem. The first bus was started
several days ago and it is expected
that the number will rapidly increase