Evening star., 1922-02-27
CARFARE REDUCED
T06F0R 40 CENTS
Cash Fare Remains at 8
Cents, But Price of the
Token Is Cut.

The Public Utilities Commission this
afternoon reduced the rate of fare
on both street railway systems from
five tokens for thirty-five cents to
six tokens for fortyscents. The cash
fare will remain at eight cents.
The new rate of fare will become
effective at 2 o'clock Wednesday
morning and remain in effect until
otherwise ordered by the commission.
The, commission states in it's order
stances 1t should adhere to it's past
policy of maintaining the same rate
of fare on both systems.
Cut Of One-third Cent.
THE least amount by which the rates
of fare can be reduced is from the
present token rate to six tokens for 40
cents, a reduction of one-third of a
cent on the, estimates of 12S.2ss.1 III
token passengers for 1922. or s410.s60."
reads the order. THE commission be-
lieves it would be a hardship on many
of the car riders If the minimum
amount to be paid in the purchase of
tokens is greater than 40 cents. The
percentage of passengers paying cash
fares has increased from an average
of II per cent in the six months of
at the rate of four for rs cents to ap-
proximately Is per cent during the past
four months, when the rate has been
FIVE tokens for 35 cents.
"The present rates of fare in the
District of Columbia compares very
favorably with those prevailing in
other cities. as can be seen from a list
of cities having population of $4,000
or more where the rate of fare is
cents or more"
One-man Cars Economical.
In reference 10 one-man cars the
commission has this to say:
In view Of the economy effected and
the additional safety to passengers pro-
vided by this type of equipment. as well
prompted by the experience gained in the
experimental period Of operation and
which tends to remove the features
which have been found Objectionable,
the commission is Of the opinion that the
operation and development of one-man
economy and that the company should
be permitted to extend the use of such
cars"
Would save.
Testimony at the hearing showed
that the Washington Railway and Elec-
trio Company would save approximately
$50, 900 this year in operating expenses
with its present number Of one-man
cars In use.
A reduction of one-third OF cent
in the charge for tokens will AFFORD
the Capital Traction Company a rea-
sonabie return, it is believed, since
that company asked the commissi on
at the hearing not to go below four
tokens for 25 cents.
To the Washington Railway and
Electric Company, however, even q
reduction Of one-third of a cent will
pxove more serious, it is said, in view
that company's showing of slightly
less than 6 per cent return on. the
present rate OF fare.
Eject ON W. r.. & E.
It was roughly estimated today that
a rate of six tokens for 40 cents would
cut about $215,o0o from the present
annual income Of the Washington
Railway and Electric Company, which
is carrying about 100000 passen-
gers a year.
William F. Ham, president 6f the
Washington Railway and Electric Com
pany, intimated at the hearings that If
the present rate Of fare were cut his
company might find it necessary to come
back to the commi ssion for additional
relief. possibly in the form of zone
system