Evening star., 1933-12-17
TRAVEL
SHOWS LARGE GAIN
OVER LAST YEARS
Lower Fares and Improved
Economic Conditions
Given Credit.
BY JOHN A. CRONE.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

DpSNIdl OlopdtCIl W OtdI
NEW YORK, December 16.-Christ-
mas travel is larger this year than a
year ago. This is the report of local
railroad and bus companies. 1t is con-
firmed by telegraphic advices received
here. The quickened passenger move
ment is in response to lower fares and
better economic conditions.
The Pullman Co., for instance, re-
ported that it put ON 100 extra cars
Friday and IS Thursday, and expects
this number of extras to increase
steadily until next Saturday. Only
few of the local schools were out for
the holidays at the week end, but many
in this general region will be dismissed
Monday or Tuesday, on which days
train reservations are heavy.
The Pullman concern, which this
year has reduced its rate to fares Of
one and one-half, a rate never before
equaled for this class of travel, said
that bookings are much better than in
1882.
The Pennsylvania Railroad already
has advised its traffic, transportation
and mechanical department TO prepare
to operate many of the regular trains
in three or four sections. This road has
handled considerable passengers from
schools along its lines this week.
Extra Cars Needed.
The New York Central reported that
reservations during the last few days
nave been large. From advance book
ings we will have to put on numbes
OF extra cars, as passenger movement
will be very heavy"
The Baltimore g. Ohio reported res
ervations as "fine and fast" with most
'of the peak movement next Saturday,
though extra sections will be required
several days previous. The Delaware,
Lackawanna & Western similarly re-
ported.
The Passenger Committee Of the
Trunk Line Association, in describing
the holiday rates in effect from Decem-
ber IA to January l in most terri
tories-New England being ore OF the
notable exceptions-said that round
trip fares were l-9 of the regular one
way tariff. This is the lowest fare ever
made for first-claSs traffic.
Although these record low railroad
fares we're specifically designed for get
ting passengers out Of busses and back
on the trains, some of the bus trans
portation companies report that they,
too. are getting heavy advance bookings.
More Jobs Opened.
The Pennsylvania Greyhound Corpo-
ration, which operates with the Penn
sylvania Railroad, reports that its 30
day holiday fares are about Is per cent
below rail rates this year. They were
about so per cent below rail prices a
year ago. The regular bus fares in
1882 were higher but have been cut
this year, which explains the narrower
difference between rail and bus fares
allowing, of course, for the cut IN rail
tariffs. This company reports a heavy
movement to the West Coast and to
points South.
This quickened movement OF passen-
gers over the holidays already is haV-
ing its effect on transportation en-
ployes here. Car cleaners, car repair
men. motor mechanics, porters, walters.
engineers, flremen, and conductors,
many of them idle wholly or partly for
months, will be working over the next
week or two. Although it will mean
Christmas away from home for many
of these transportation workers, 1t also
will mean a pay envelope.
(CopyriRht, 1933)