The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-31
CASUAL PATRONS
 OF STREET CARS
 10 PAY INCREASE
Regular Riders May Buy 15 Tickets for S1, Making Fare Six and Two o-thirds Gents
 Without Transfer
By FRED II. GoRMLEY, Montgomery Bureau. The Age Herald z21-2 First National Bank Building


 Montgomery, July 30.-(Special.) Under decision of the Alabama public service commission late Sat urday, regular patrons of the street railway system in Birmingham who purchase tickets were granted de- crease of one-third of cent for each ride, while those who do not purchase tickets were required to pay 8 cents instead of ' cents for each ride. In the same order, the commission established charge of 2 cents for the issuance of trans fer, but required the receiver of the street railway system to establish the universal transfer system except between the regular system and the Edgewood line, which is not owned by the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company. On the Edge wood line there will be a cash fare of cents.
 The net result of the order of
 the commission is that purchas-
 CTS of tickets nt the rate of t5
 for $1 will ride for 6 2-3 cents,
 casual riders who do not pur-
 chase tickets will pay 8 cents,
 purchasers of tickets on the Bes-
 scmer line will ride for I7 cents,
 while holders of the regular
 tickets may ride on the Bessemer
 line for 20 cents instead of Fl
 cents, which cash fare riders now
 pay, while universal transfers
 will he obtainnble.
 No charge will be levied for the Issuance of transfer from a shuttle car to a main line car and person may ride from one end of the street car system to the other with the pay ment of only one fare plus 2 cents for one transfer.
 No Additional Burden
 In announcing the decision, the commi ssion contemplated that the new arrangement will give the re- ceiver of the company an increase in gross revenue, but at the same time will not levy an additional bur den on those who are forced to SC the street cars regularly In other words, the persons who are casual riders only and do not care to pur- chase tickets will bear any addt- tional financial burden which the order may place
 School tickets VIII continue 10 De sold at 3ia cents each but the rider will not be entitled to transfer this being a continuation of the old system without change.
 Heavy losses In revenue which were attributed to general depres. sion and the encroachment of jitneys by the commissi on's order forced tho increase in the open fare. according to the commis ssion This is an emergency order. made necessary by the financial condition of the peti- tioners," said the conimission's de- cision, which was written by Pres ident A. G. Patterson and concurred in by B. II. Cooper and s. F. Gail lard. associate commissioners There has been no formal valuation or the properties involved. We have been reluctant to order a valuation on account of the negotiations between the city of Birmingham and tte utilities We are hopeful that these associations may continue and be successful. The early reorganlza- ton of these properties and the re- lease of the receivership is desirable from every standpoint. If the prop critics are to perform the indispeh- sable services for which they are chartered enfranchised ana con structed they must have the cooper ative support of the public they serve and they must have an assured earn ing power sufficient to enable them not only to serve but to expand the-r Icort;uued on Page EIeven)