Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-07-19
DISMISS RICHMOND
COMPLAINT NJ. c. R. R.
INADEQUATE SERVICE

Complaint of the officers Of the
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
and more than nine other citizens Of
Richmond against the Maine Central
Railroad Company alleging made
ouate service, has been dismissed by
an order issued Saturday by the
Public Utilities Commission.
The complaint alleged that the
railroad company discontinued this
spring their train commonly known
as II making regular stop at Rich
mond and that this change causes IN
convenience and hardship to the peo-
pie of the community. BY the pre-
yious schedule of the railroad this
train arrived at Richmond at 11.40
p. M. Hearing on the matter was
held before the Commission at its
offices at the State House July 10
last.
MAINE Central passenger train No.
IL" SAYS the order of the CommlS-
sion lis a thorough train between
Portland and Vanceboro connecting
at Portland with Boston and Maine
from Boston and points west and at
Vanceboro with Canadian Pacific
train for st. John, Halifax and other
points in the Maritime Provinces,
and also connecting at Northern
Maine Junction with Bangor and
Aroostooll train for Aroostook coun-
ty points. The passenger traffic on
this train consists largely of long
distance or through traffic, the great
er part of which Is interstate in
character.
Under previous schedules, train
No. II has made regular stops at
Richmond for the purpose of leav-
ing and receiving passengers. but
under the present schedule effective
June %, 1926, such stops have been
eliminated. The testimony offered
on behalf of the complainant shows
that this train under previous sched-
ules, when stops were made at
Richmond, was used to considerable
extent by people Of Richmond and
undoubtedly the service offered mas
been of great accommodation ana
advantage to the citizens of Rich-
mond and vicinity. The complain
ants allege in effect that the dis
continuance Of this service is I'M
reasonable and constitutes a discrim-
nation against the compliments
and other citizens of Richmond and
that the present service of the res
pondent company is inadequate.
THE respondent company claims
that the conditions under which this
train is now being operated requires
the elimination of the stops which
have heretofore been made at Rlch-
mond and several other places along
the route. 1t appears that the BOO
ton and Maine delivery to the Name
Central at Portland, under the pres
ent schedule, is one-half hour later
than formerly due to the later de-
parture of the Boston and Maine
trains from Boston, while the time
of the Maine Central delivery to
the Canadian Pacific at Nanceboro is
the same as formerly. This necessit-
ates a shortening of one-half hour in
the running time of the Maine Cen
trail train between Portland and
Nanceboro. The operating officials
of the Maine Central Railroad Com
pany state that such shortening in
the running time of this train cam
not be accomplished unless the stops
heretofore made at Richmond and
several other places be eliminateg.
Richmond has a population of
1900 to 5000 with two shoe factories
and a worsted mill, and under the
present schedule of the Maine Cen
trail railroad company is served by
five eastbound passenger trains on
Grating between the hours of $40 A.
NJ, and 1922 =. M, and by five west
bound passenger trains operating be-
tween the hours of $50 A. NJ, and
1925 2. NJ. This service cannot in