The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-02-05
STREET CAR FARES
IN MANY CITIES
List of Places in Country in
which Increases are Asked
for by Owners of
Electric Lines.

Kenosha is just now very much in
.terested in the proposed increase in the
street car fares of other cities and is
shaking with fear lest her turn will
come next While. cities around her
have had to stand for two raises in
fares, Kenosha has as yet escaped I'M
scathed. More than year ago the
street car fares for a single ride in
Racine was increased from to 6 cents
and few months ago the fare was
raised to cents and all this time Ke
nosha has been enjoying a 5-cent fare.
Many Increases Asked
The year 1920 is destined to witness
renewed efforts on the part of officials
of electric railway systems throughout
the United States to obtain authority
to charge still higher fares than were
granted the public service corporations
in 1919 and 1918.
In a poll of So cities taken by the
United Press, reports showed that in
only II cities fares have not been
raised, while in the other Al increases
of from a fraction of cent to and
5 cents have been granted.
In IL of the IL cities where the cost
of a car ride remains the same, how
ever, either definite steps have already
been taken looking toward revision
Of the fare in favor of the operating
companies, or advertising campaigns
are being put on to prepare the public
mind for later demand. In only one
city has there been an actual down
ward revision Of the fare.
Increased cost Given as Reason.
Increased costs of labor, steel, copper,
wire and the hundred and one other
kinds of materials necessary to the op,
Grafton of an electric line has been the
one outstanding reason advanced by
the corporations in asking for more
money. The old nickel that used to be
enough to pay all expenses and then
produce respectable profit now pays
only about 21a to cents toward the
upkeep and operation of the roads, the
officials argue.
In.several cities, notably New York,
municipal bus lines have been put in
operation, substituting for various car
routes. New York IS riding public has
for several months been bombarded
with propaganda for an advance in fare
on surface, elevated and subway lines.
The fare has remained at cents, how
ever, although two or three companies.
suspended transfer privileges and
ceased to operate cars on a few lines.
In Chicago.
In Chicago the state public utilities
commission granted the surface and
elevated lines authority to raise their
fares from cents to and 5 cents,
respectively. Recently, however, when
examination showed the companies
prospered too greatly on the advanced
fares, the increases were withdrawn
and now the cars may be ridden in the
lake metropolis for cents.
Fares in cities which have not seen
higher transportation are: Dallas, Tex,
80 rides for ST.; Des Moines, Iowa, sc;
st. Paul, Mimi, Sc; San Francisco, &c.
Los Angeles, Sc; Columbus, o., 8 rides
for 25c; Cleveland, O., tickets for
25c with lie extra for transfers; Buffa-
10, N. Y, SC; New York City, &c; Phil
adelphia, SC with Sc exchange tickets
and free transfers; Nashville, Tenn,
Sc; Rochester, N. T., Sc.
Present Fares in Many Cities.
Present fares in cities whose electric
lines have been given higher fares are:
Chicago, &c; Kansas City, Kan, SC;
Madison, Wis, &c; Wausau, Wis, 7c;
Indianapolis, SC (was tickets for 25c).
Lincoln, Neb., &c; Denver, Colo, &c;
Stockton, Cal, &c; Portland, Ore, &c;
Cincinnati, o., 7c; Springfield, ILL.,, &c;
Kansas City, Mo-, Sc; Lacrosse, Wis,
&c; GAINESVILLE, Wis, &c; Milwaukee, 7c;
San Jose, Cal, &c; Fresno, Cal, &c;
st. Louis, Mo, &c; Toledo, Ohio, &c;
Syracuse, N. Y, &c; Atlanta, Ca, &c;
Washington, D. c., &c; Boston, Mass,
10c; Pittsburgh, Pa, 1Oc; Albany, n
Y, &c; Richmond, Va, Sc (was s tick
cts for 25c); Birmingham, Ala, &c;
Harrisburg, Pa, &c; Hartford, New Ha-
ven, Stamford, New Britain, Bridge
port, Conn, 6 cents initial fare under
zone system; Jersey City, Newark, Ho-
boken, Camden, Trenton and Bayonne,
NJ ro-T oap+c