Evening star., 1942-04-12
Taxi Sub-zone
Plan Backed
By Drivers
Honkin Proposal
Called Scientific
Approach to Rotes


Approach to Rates
AS the Public Utilities Commission
completed plans for considering pro-
posed new taxicab zones and rates
at formal public hearing Tuesday,
leaders of the taxicab industry yes
terday hailed the system suggested
by Commission Chairman Gregory
Hankin as the best zoning plan ever
offered here.
Although other new schemes de-
signed to improve the present sys-
tenn of zone fares are expected to
be offered when the hearing gets
under way, the comment of taxi
cab officials interviewed yesterday
indicated the Utilities Commission
could satisfy most of the industry
by approving the Hankin system.
One spokesman, Jack Roger, pres
ident of the Premier Cab Co.. and
head of the District Association of
Taxicab Owners-an organization
with some 1000 members-said the
plan offers the finest set of zones
we've eyer had" He disclosed that
some 300 Premier drivers had voiced
unanimous approval of the pro-
posed new system.
Held Fair to Both.
"For the first time, we would have
a zoning system that would be fair
to both the public and the taxicab
drivers If this plan is adopted"
said Mr.. Royer.
While some taxicab men said they
thought the system of fares might
be somewhat complicated, Mr.. Royer
contended that the method that
would be used in computing fares
would be simple and absolutely
foolproof."
BY that, he said he meant that
arguments over the fare for a par
ticular ride should be eliminated
once and for all. For the first time,
Mr.. Roger said, the District is of
fered plan in which the zones
are worked out on a basis of the
cost of operation plus the time nee
essary to make trip. The Hankin
plan should be a model for all
taxlcab coming systems, he declared.
Four Main Zones.
The Hankin plan would divide the
District into four main zones. with
boundaries different from the pres
ent four zones and would subdivide
the second, third and fourth zones
into total of 20 subzones. A rate
chart to be carried in the cabs
would state the fare not only for a
trip within or between zones, but
between the various subzones.
The plan carries only formula"
for the rates to be charged and
Chairman Hankin has indicated
that permanent rates would be
proposed after the forthcoming
hearing.
Mr.. Royer said the drivers Of his
company had gone on record favor
ing continuance of the fares now
in effect for the present four zones
80, 40, go and 80 cents.
Called Scientific Approach.
Harry C. Davis. president of Dia-
mond Cab Co., said he believed it
was the first time a scientific ap-
proach had been made to the zone
problem, but he was one of those
who thought the problem of COM
putting fares might be somewhat
complicated.
MIR. Davis declared, however, that
cab drivers are anxious to have the
present zone system readjusted to
eliminate determinations affecting
taxicab patrons and the drivers
themselves.
One member of the industry who
didn't agree with the views of those
who favored the Hankin system was
Bernard L. Henning. who described
himself in letter to The Star as
chairman of the TaXimeter Com
mittee
Fears Endless Confusion.
Mr.. Henning declared the pro-
posed new system would give
slight raise to the cab driver on
20 per cent of his trips, but would
mean a drastic cut on about so per
cent of the trips. He said it would
lead to endless arguments and
confusion"
One solution of the rate question,
he continued, would be to have both
zone and meter rate, and let the
drivers take their choice.
Leon Brill, head of the Bell Co.,
said he thought the proposed system
would work satisfactorily and would
settle once and for all the zone
rates"
Wants Minor Changes.
Moses Wilkerson, president of the
General Cab Co, thought the system
would be workable with a few minor
changes, but he didn't say what
changes should be made.
Jack Dolton, Blue Light Cab Co.
president, said the system would
overcome difficulties we've had with
zones since the zoning system was
inaugurated." Drivers would be paid
according to the length of trips,
under the new plan, and the long
trips that are made for a one-zone
fare under the present system would
be paid for more equitably.
AS an example, he pointed out
that a person now can ride from
Sixteenth and Decatur streets NV.
to Eighth street N-E-a distance Of
about six miles-for 30-cent fare.
Concerned Over One Item.
Mr.. Dolton said he was somewhat
concerned, however, over the pro-
vision in the Hankin plan which
states that any trip of less than a
mile, regardless of boundaries of
zones or subzones, would have a
fare limit of two-thirds of a one
zone rate. Mr.. Dolton said he in
terpreted this as meaning that, II
the fare under the new plan Is 30
cents in the first zone, the charge
for trips less than a mile would be
only 20 cents. If that Is the practi-
cal effect of the provision, he said,
the plan should provide for a higher
fare.
Mr.. Dolton approved the proposed
zoning system, however. and said he
had talked with about 900 drivers