Smyrna times., 1926-06-30
PASSENGER SERVICE ON SMYRNA
BRANCH RR. ENDS TOMORROW
SUBSIDIZED BUS SERVICE WILL
SUBSTITUTE THE RAIL SERVICE
Action of Railroad Company, While
Submitted to Under Protest, Will be
Watched With Much Interest


To-day is the last day Of Smyrna
Branch Railway passenger service, the
mile and quarter line between Smyr-
ma and Clayton. Tomorrow, July 1,
the Smyrna Branch becomes a freight
line only and bus line will substitute
the rail passenger service between the
two towns. The bus which is a sub
sidized service will be operated by F.
L. Hardesty & Sons Company of Do
yer and will meet all trains at Clay
ton except midnight trains. Despite
the fact Smyrna has thru its Town
Council, Chamber of Commerce, Grange
and other organizations, protested
and has not fallen in agreement with
the railroad authorities, there seems
to be nothing for Smyrna to do but
submit with the hope that better ser
vice will be a permanent and assured
fact and that Smyrna, which has en-
joyed the distinction Of being on the
railroad almost ever since there has
been Delaware Division, may con-
tinue to be 50 recognized on the rail
road timetable and tickets as to give
Smyrna the distinction that a COM
munity of this size and importance
should receive It's up to the Rail
road Company to keep the good will
Of the Smyrna Community and give
service Supt. J. G. Shaeffer of the
Delaware Division, accompanied by
Charles w. Hardesty Of the firm Of
F. L. Hardesty & Sons Co., of Dover,
called on a few of our leading business
men in Smyrna on Wednesday last,
and had an informal talk regarding
the substitution of a bus service be-
tween Smyrna and Clayton to replace
the motor car which will be with
drawn from the Smyrna Brance r. R.
beginning tomorrow, July 1st. 1t
was pointed out to Mr.. Shaeffer that
Smyrna is one Of the most important
towns in the State, and also one of
the best patrons Of the Delaware R.R.
from the standpoint Of freight ship
ments and receipts, and is therefore,
entitled to the favorable consideration
Of the R. r. Company and should not
be cut off the timetable and railroad
schedule. Cloyton now becomes the
railroad passenger station for Smyrna
and vicinity, and should be hyphenat-
ed with Smyrna on the timetable and
passenger tickets, and not lose its
identity on the railroad map. Mr..
Shaeffer assures the Smyrna people
of the friendly attitude of the R. R.
Company and promises better pas
senger service through the bus line
than we have had previously over the
Smyrna Branch. The bus will run
from the center Of Smyrna to Clayton
passenger station, stopping for pas
sengers at Union Street, and Smyrna
depot. 1t will connect with all trains
weekdays excepting the Norfolk
night line trains. While the passen-
ger train on the Smyrna Branch is
withdrawn against the protest of the
Smyrna Town Council, the Chamber
of Commerce, and the Patrons of Hus-
bandry, the railroad company can
only hope to retain the friendly inter
est Of the public by giving permanent
bus service and keeping Smyrna on
the schedule as above mentioned.
Otherwise with the DUPONT boulevard
passing right through our town, and
with bus lines being extended through
the State, and trucks competing in
hauling freight, the Smyrna people
could easily be alienated from the
Railroad.