Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-16
JITNEY COST p. R.T.
BIG YEARLY LOSS

| Continued from Page One
be removed from the cars when they are
hired by the hour.
| The action most indicative of the busl-
ness-like methods which the public may
expect from the organization was the de-
cision to appoint couple of lobbyists at
| Harrisburg to keep n keen eye on all
measures that might be intended to
eliminate the jitney. Legal aid has been
retained.
p. r.. 7. LOSING $25O,OOO a YEAR.
The actual loss Of revenue to the Rapid
Transit Company through the operation
of the jitneys is not revealed by the
company. 1t is significant that inspectors
have been stationed along Broad street
to keep tab on the number Of cars there
and count the passengers. These in
spectors profess ignorance of the motives
of the company in stationing them at the
corners. The company has also ordered
all street superintendents to notify the
company of any jitney lines they may sec
in operation in their respective districts.
An official OF the Quaker City Taxicab
Company, discussing the effect of jitneys
on the yearly revenues of the Transit
Company, estimated the loss at more than
$500 n year on the North Broad street
section alone.
The taxicab companies maintain that
the iitney has in no way affected their
returns. From the nature of their state
ments, they have evidently made study
of the jitney service. Taxi companies
point to the expenses of operating, and
say that the jitney cannot be kept In
operation as permanent adjunct to
the admittedly poor transit facilities of
this city. They also point out that
the rider has no insurance against dam
age f anything should befall the itney
while, they say, taxi riders have.
2OooO JITNEY RIDERS A DAY,
The great need for better transit facill-
ties for this city is shown in the large
number of persons who use the jitneys
daily. or the l2i cars in tho organization,
about 100 Of them carry an average of
1900 passengers an hour for ten hours.
The remaining cars carry fewer passen-
gers and make longer trips, but their
earnings are about the same. This does
not take into account about so independents
drivers who are operating on the same
scale.
About 1000 riders are using the jtneys
now every day. That this does not rep
resent the number that would use the
the letters from business associations re-
ceved by the Jitney Association request
ing service in sections not at present
accommodated
New lines are being established so
rapidly that ii is impossible TO make an
accurate complete statement of routes
Tho West Girard avenue line to SD
street was opened yesterday as well as
a line from Fairmount Park to Balti-
more avenue. A line runs from Frank
ford TO 9Th and Chestnut streets and
line will he placed in operation over the
Passyunk avenue bridge on its opening
tomorrow.
The following officers have been elected
by the Philadelphia Jitney Association:
President, Richard Costello; first vice
president, Charles BarcUs second vice
president, f. 5. Young; treasurer, w. APP
pleback; secretary George Young; chair
man of investigating committee, Harry
RabiGer, the other members of the COM
mittee being Charles Barcus, William b.
Cook, P, r.. Roberts and George Young.