Evening star., 1940-10-02
Seat Pleasant
Mdyor0rganiizes
Transit Fight
Urges Communities
To Unite Against
Changes

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Changes
Mayor William H. McGrath of
Seat Pleasant, Md, announced today
that he is seeking to enlist Mayors
and civic leaders of all nearby COM
munities to fight the proposed trans
portation changes being worked out
by the Capital Transit Co. and the
Washington. Marlboro & Annapolis
Motor Lines. Inc.
In most instances the proposals
would make for reduction in fares,
but for many of the Seat Pleasant
riders. it is claimed, an increase
would result. Under the new setup
the W., M. 81 A. buses would turn
back at Barney Circle, on the WASH
ington side of the Pennsylvania Ave-
nue. Bridge Sc, and riders would
transfer to Capital Transit buses
or cars.
Mayor McGrath said the change
would result in considerable delay
for citizens of his community as
we'll as added expense He suggested
that the present system either be
kept in operation or that the Capital
Transit Co. extend its bus lines out
Pennsylvania and Central avenues
into Maryland.
Sasscer Promises to Help.
Representative Sasscer. Democrat,
OF Maryland promised his full CO.
operation" to see that the people of
his congressional district get a
square deal" in the matter.
. The Bradbury Heights Citizens
Association said it will devote
most of its meeting tomorrow
night to the subject. The meeting
is scheduled for o'clock at the
Methodist Church.
Tonight the Maryland Park Cit
liens Association is sponsoring a
mass meeting of residents of that
town and surrounding communities
in the Maryland Park High School
The civic group plans to voice a
strong protest.
The two companies have filed their
proposals with the Public Utilities
Commission and a decision may be
reached as early as next week un-
less protests necessitate lengthy
public hearings.
The Capital Transit Co. plans to
erect a $4,000 terminal at Barney
Circle. Another transfer point would
be at Pennsylvania and Minnesota
avenues Sc. for patrons going to
AnacoStia, Skyland or KenilWorth
and still another at Branch and
Pennsylvania avenues Sc. for those
going to Hillcrest.
Effect of Proposal.
Seat Pleasant residents will in
some instances benefit and in others
suffer from the proposed change.
At present person coming from
that community to the District can
ride in an express bus to Eleventh
street and Pennsylvania avenue for
10 cents. If they have to go else
where in the city to work, however,
they will have to pay the regular
Capital Transit fare-token, dime
or pass.
For these persons the changes
would be a benefit. For Is cents
they can ride from Seat Pleasant to
Barney Circle, transfer there free
of charge to any point in the Dis
trict. If they wish to 60 no farther
than the circle their fare would be
only 10 cents.
Persons who work near Eleventh
and Pennsylvania avenue will not
have express service any longer or
the 10-cent fare.
Going home, the Seat Pleasant res
ident starts on Capital Transit bus
or Streetcar under the proposed set
up and transfers at Barney Circle,
all for Is cents. Ifs the Streetcar
rider starts out with local weekly
pass he will have to pay 10 cents
additional to the Maryland bus If
he starts out with token he will
have to pay 7 cents in addition.
Other Fares Unaffected.
The fare for trips between
Forestville or Silver Hill and the
District line, would remain at 10
cents cash. and between these two
suburban points and Barney Circle
the fare would remain at IS cents
cash.
For a trip from Forestville to a
transit company stop. in bound, the
fare would be 20 cents cash with
free transfer, or streetcar pass plus
10 cents instead of Is cents with free
transfer, on a cash fare basis, or IS
cents cash plus local token fare
with free transfer or IS cents cash
plus car pass. For trip from within
the District to Forestville, the pro-
posed fare would be II cents on
cash fare basis, or a token plus
cents or pass plus Is cents.
The same proposed changes would
apply to trips between Silver Hill
and points within the District.
The Commission, in it's call for
the hearing yesterday, declared it
had found service for East Wash
ington residents inadequate and
discriminatory" and suggested that
the solution appeared to be either an
order to the Capital Transit Co. to
extend its service into growing new
developments or to establish nee
essary transfer arrangements be-
tween the two companies.
Bradbury Heights residents were
represented at the hearing by Henry
Austin and I. w. Potts. A plea for
better transportation for residents
of the Skyland Apartments was
made by Jane O'Rouke.