The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-02-03
The Need of CrOsstOWn Bus
TRANSFORMATION
By BILL PRICE.


The Public Utilities Commission is up against stiff and
intricate local problem in fight between the Washington
Railway Electric Company and the Washington RAPID
Transit Company az to establishment Of bus
ne Commission will be subjected to real test OF It's
policies toward public service.
The facts to be brought the hearing to this cross
town determine the commission which charged
with the duty of giving the people of this city all the trans
portAtion service possible at the lowest cost
are course many other things that must be taken
into consideration mention here but above
everything ese is the paramount question OF serving the
people of District in the satisfactory manner
The Washington Rapid Transit Company which claims to be
financially able to carry plans asked the Commits
for the right buses from Thirty seventh and
streets Georgetown Fifteenth and streets
northeast taking the Union Station and the Capitol to and
from these terminal points
The Washington Railway and Electric Company
with proposition from the vicinity
in Georgetown Tenth and northwest about half
the distance covered by the other company and including of
course, the of prospective passenger traffic
The claim is made that the Washington Railway and
Electric Company had thought of putting in such
service until proposition of line
and that it is acting purely in selfdefense
This nearly always the attitude Of railway
poration enjoying monopoly Of given territory must
be COMPELLED to give increasing public service It is
well enough alone and let the public do with
existing service unwilling to take chances in ven
lures much demand there is for extension
enlargement Of service.
Bus line corporations are doubtless animated by the
thought OF getting and holding all the territory they that
Is valuable to them They in the transportation business
for the profits it viii bring them and when profits fail to
show they seek to abandon Improbable lines.
The public has little to rvalries between
peting lines does however have very deep concern In
being given the best service get and Is entitled
TO that service matter what the effect between rivals
The Public Utilities Commission well that street
car company Of Washington going to build lines
extend those in operation To bus competition in the
District the two street railway companies have added short
bus lines feeders to their lines They didn't do that
however, until compelled
If the bus lines Of washington were able to operate ON the
same fares the street companies they might be in e.
stronger position before the Public Utilities Commission. But
they forced somewhat higher fares The street
companies compelled spend hundreds Of thousands Of
dollars annually In repairs streets they The bus
lines spend nothing Their higher fare that
their patrons willing pay it for the particular service
they get
Whether this correct the allowance of higher
fare the bus lines future claims the
railway companies of the District higher fares and
the people of Washington not going to stand for fare
increases.
long established lines Washington ARE
going seek higher fares then is the business Of the
Public Utilities Commission to bus lines which may
through competent management be in position to lower fares
in this city the street companies position to
further reduce maintain existing fares then is the
part of the commission encourage them and not take bust
away from them.
newspaper the the business
financial rvaies between competing transportation lines
It is interested only in the best possible transportation service
for the District the lowest possible fares the extension
wherever will aid the public It trusts that the
Public Utilities Commission will be animated by the same
thoughts, and act accordingly.
Every Of the commission should be with the sole purpose
preventing the imposition upon the public Of higher
future but at the time compelling
service for the people