Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-16
ZONE FARE HEARING
/ begun IN TRENTON
Utility Commission Told Public
Has Been Wearied From
Trolley System
sFIvE-CENT RATE DEMANDED

Trenton, y. j.. Oct. 16.- New lcr-
sey's zone fare fight has gone beyond
the realm Of science or theory.
As tho hearing proceeds before the
Public Utility Commission to-day ON the
request OF the Public Service Railway
that the zone fare system be abolished
the speakers all declare the human clc-
rneut has come TO the front
The bare fact stands out that the
corporation has utterly forfeited the
good will of the public. Ionc fare or
no zone fare. scientific system or no
scieptifc system. 1t is pointed out, the
confidence Of the public must first be-
won before any system or fare will be
successful.
As it was put by l.. &. C. HIcacklcy,
city counsel Of Camden, they have not
treated their patrons rs patrons, but
as slaves that could be driven into their
cars at any fare, under any conditions,
Montclair Ready 10 Aid
Then Mayor Dodd. of Moutclnir.
Jumped to his feet I'VE tender every
ounce of assistance We can give either
the Public Utility Commission or tnc
Public Service Railway Company in the
effort to win back public confidence, bu,
the railway company must lay its cards
on the table.
''Let the commission appoint com
mittee of twelve or fifteen to confer
with the railway company 80 give Us
Information and enable MS to property
mold public oninion. But AloutrlaiI
} demands rhat tho request of the com
pany that the zone fare system be
abolished be granted.
Mr.. Bleakly. while demanding upon
hzehalf of Camden the abolition OF the
zoning system and restoration Of Il
basic FIVE cent fare. admitted that nub
lie feeling is so high that confidence
In the railway company must first
be restored before any fare or system
will be a success.
.'We concedc that the company must
have more revenue. said Mr.. Blcakly
"but we are sure that what the com
pany needs is not higher fares but
more riders.
.'It is our best judgment that a basic
fare of five cents properly graduated,
B with strip tickets at reduced prices
Communication tickets for tho suburbs
will produce more riders and conSc-
quently more revenue.
Inc InDlC SerNlCN hhllNdt 'bNl -
pany is doing less than 30 per cent Of
the business that it ought, or is capable
Of doing with its present equipment.
Shows Carrying Capabilities
With capacity of 100 900 600 pco-
rIe year. Mr.. BleakIy pointed out.
the eonipany under it's zone system only
ex1ctcd to carry 312.000, ,000 people
the FIRST year.
.The records of the company, he
continued. will show that the ZonluG
system has decreased travelling be
tween 200. 900 aud 800, 900 riders {
day,
a rate of fare and a system for it,
collection. he pointed out must be pu
INTO force that will induce people II
4 ride. experience having shown pcopl
= cannot be compelled to ride.
As for the remedy. Mr., Bleaklcy said.
The Public Service Railway tompanS
must serve public interest aud not its
own. alone.
The record made by the Philadel
phis Rapid Transit Company was al
ludcd to by Mr. Blcakley. He pointed
out that while the New Jersey com
pany was losing thousands day the
r, Il. T.. by giving good service at low
fare. and having won the good will OF
the public has won an increase OF 800.
900 riders each day. Wages had been
increased while fares had been hold
down.
Speakers for various towns present
ed various views. Some said they were
satisfied TO have n basic seven cent
fare rate established. a few said they
had no objection to the coming system
but the majority demanded the zone
system be abolished,