Evening star., 1937-12-15
Suburban Buses.

The principle involved in the Capital
Transit Companys proposal to discon-
tinue its service to Rockville is of i'm
portance to every outlying Washington
community. Broadly stated the issue is:
Should declining revenues on a sub
urban transit line justify the conclusion
that the public no longer needs its
service?"
In announcing plans to ask for per-
mission to abolish its Rockville run, the
president of the Capital Transit Com
pany cited figures to show that the line
is being operated at loss. If the dis
continuance is granted on that basis
the same argument may be raised in the
future with respect to other lines. It is
conceivable that suburban run could
show a deficit and still be q public
necessity. Even under those circum-
stances its abolition might be justified
If the company involved had no other
operations. But the Capital Transit
company AAoo AAdAly OtllCl llllCS dllu lLS
entire revenues should be considered.
The public more or less expects a bus
or street car company to balance losses
on the long hauls through profits on
short ones.
In the case of the Rockville line there
is another factor, of more Importance
perhaps to the company than revenue
from these lines. 1t is an agreement
under which citizens OF the territory in
volved understood they were to be given
bus service in return for consenting to
abolition of the interurban street cars
which linked Rockville and Washing
ton for so many years. If that agree
ment Is ignored the prediction of the
most cynical-"Once the tracks are re-
moved you have no service"-appears
justified. 1t is true that the Maryland
Public Service Commission, in ordering
the street cars discontinued in 1885
upon the establishment of bus service"
did not specify how long such service
was to run. But none considered it q
temporary expedient or one likely to be
discontinued within two years. Ger
tainly a traction company, anxious to
maintain public good will, cannot afford
to take such "gentleman's agreement"
lightly. 1t will have to offer very
convincing argument to justify the lines
abandonment.
Already Rockville pike citizens have
cited the agreement in protest of the
company's proposal Foreshadowing a
spirited fight if the plan is pressed, they
also have charged that many residents
and school children will be without
means of transportation to Washing
ton if the line is dropped, and have coun-
tered with plea for better service and
lower fares.
The situation that has arisen is q re-
suit Of complete reversal Of the part
bus and street car companies once played
in the development of the suburbs. Only
few decades ago they helped develop
outlying sections by extending their
lines, confident they would receive ade-
quate return on their investment as the
suburbs grew. But automobiles and i'm
proved highways have completely
changed the picture and it may change
again. Due to ban on downtown park
ing or some other cause motorists may
flock back to cars and buses and the
traction firms may be glad to get sub
urban business. While they are fighting
shy of long hauls, however, 1t will be nee
essary for utility commissions to watch
Developments closely in the interest of
public service.