The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1920-01-13
FLEXIBLE FARE
RAIL REMEDY,
SAYS MR.. NIXON
Holds Out Hope That Rate
May Be Cut Below the
Present Scale.
SAYS COMPANIES NOW
GREATLY NEED RELIEF
Declares Situation Serious and That
Adequate Service Is First Requisite
in Case.
ESPECIAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD

| tSFEClAL DESPATCH TO THE HERALD
ALBANY. N. Y, Monday.-Lewis Nixon,
Public Service Commissioner. in his first
annual report filed with the Legislature
tonight holds out the hope to the travel
ling public of New York city that within
the next few years fares may be re-
duced below the five cent rate. Commits
sioner Nixon. however. couples this pre-
diction with a conviction that the traction
companies are greatly in need of present
relief and that flexible increased fare
should be granted until the crisis is passed.
At the same time the Public Service
Commission Of the Second District, which
includes all of the State outside of New
York city. asked for legislative to permit
lit to order changes in rates Of fare not
withstanding supulstions in the fran
chises.
For q Flexible Fare.
In his report Mr.. Nixon says
with the adoption OF flexible fare
and with the control that the city will
obtain over It's transportation systems,
we may look forward in the next few
Iligent management, to books of tickets at
less than five cents per ticket"
Discussing the serious situation which
has arisen in respect to transportation
facilities in New York, the report points
out that tho year just closed has been a
throughout the country. and perhaps in
no other place has the problem of con-
unuing satisfactory operation in the face
of steadily rising costs been so acute as
1t has been, and is now, in the City of
New York. Costs of maintenance and
operation have more than doubled in the
last five years. notwithstanding the
revenues Of the street railroads, generally
speaking, have remained the same, the re-
port says.
Efforts which the street railroads have
made to obtain increased revenue by in
creasing fares, which have generally
proved abortive, and the reluctance Of the
municipal administration OF New York
city to discuss changes in any existing
contract which might entail an increase
in fare. are mentioned in the report which
adds -
| btueTdiiy speaking, tnere - no QueStlOn
that the street railroads of the city need
relief. Such relief, under present condi-
lions. should come from such rates as
would meet the cost OF service. providing
the companies make corresponding con-
ccssions to the public. Investigations of
the situation have been sufficiently thor
ough to justify this statement. The meas
ure OF relief Is a matter which can be de-
termined only by a detailed investigation
INFO each particular case
Adequate Service First.
This commission believes an advance in
fare should be avoided II adequate service
at present rates could be obtained. IL does
not believe that a permanent increased
rate of fare should be established IL does
believe in flexible rate Of fare adjusted
automatically to the cost OF service, with
such safeguards set up as will secure saw
ings and reductions in the cost TO the peo-
pie. as opportunity offers"
The report warns that IL the process
OF disintegration of the traction lines
goes on New York, in place of having
two large systems, will find itself indif-
ferently served by dozens of smaller
companies. each independent OF the other
and each operating within its restricted
area for five cent fare. This will inev-
itably result In increasing the cost OF
street railroad transportation in the
metropolis, the report states. IL is said
that the abandonment OF service on the
(cOntfnued ON paRe five, Col. rourl