Evening star., 1943-05-04
PUG Considers
Group Riding
Fare Problem
Meets to Thresh Out !.
Solution After Heurina.
Toxi Drivers Views
BY DON S. WARREN,

Commission met today to decide
acceptable and reasonable rates for
taxi group riding, as result of
yesterdays six-hour public hearing
on the issue.
The re-opened hearing, contin-
uation of sessions last January,
produced at least one new develop
ment: Spokesman for the cab in
dustry-including both drivers and
fleet executives-were pretty we'll
agreed on what they thought the
answers should be. But there una
nimity ended. -
Members of the PUG indicated
they feel group-riding rates should
be on per-passenger basis, though
they have not been all together on
the actual rates, and the industry
dlsagrees with the basic principle.
Full Fares illegal" D.
The PUG also holds that the pres
ent rather general practice of charg-
ing prevailing full fares for group
riders is illegal, but some industry
spokesmen claim increased revenues
are resulting from an increase in
business" instead of from an in
crease in rates"
Also, while the PUG insists it's
proposals for group riding rates
were intended merely to transpose
present "individualized' cab rates
into the same thing on a per
person" group-riding basis, the OPA
mas termed such suggested schedules
an illegal general increase" in price. 2
and cab spokesmen say they would
amount to decrease" in rates.
PUG members took comfort from a
statement for OPA, given by its new
counselor" to the PUG, w. Russell
German, that OPA recognizes that
1t Is the province of the PUG rather
IMAM the OPA to determine local
taxi rates. But this was overlaid
with further statement by Mr..
German that OPA still has the duty
under the Presidents recent execu-
tive order to seek to prevent in
creases in the cost of living and to
bring about rate reductions when
they are justified.
Delay Seen on Decision,
The PUG was to hold a regular
executive meeting today, but II
was indicated a decision might not
be expected for perhaps several
days. ~
The majority of the PUC-Chair.
man James H. Flanagan and Engi-
neer Commissioner Charles w. Kutz
had proposed group riding rates of
2o-30-40-50 cents per person. for
the four zones. Gregory Hankin
minority member, had suggested
somewhat lower rates: 2o-25-35-45
cents per person. Both of these
schedules were ruled by OPA to be
general increase" and therefore
contrary to price control law.
Yesterdays hearing brought out
That cab spokesmen want the pres
ent basic zone rates of 30-5O- To- 90
cents to be applied to each party"
OF one or more during group riding.
IN other words, if five passengers
all board a cab together at the
Commerce Department and all 90
10 some one place in Zone l the
TOTAL charge would be 60 cents-30
cents Tor the first two and a dime
extra for each of the other three.
But If one passenger boards at Com
merce and four other passengers
board at four other points, and the
group goes to various destinations.
II all are within Zone l, the charge
would be prevailing full fare for
each five PASSENGERS, or 80 each, or
$3.50 total.
Would Limit Bargain.
This latter might prove to be an
exception, for the cab industry sug-
gests that under group riding, a
group" of prospective passengers.
going to the same destination.
should collect itself and hail a cab
and thereby save haul and time for
the driver and money for tie COL
lectlve passengers.
otherwise, their spokesmen said.
the riders are not entitled to "sav-
lngs at the expense of the driver"
since they still would 20 from here
to there at price no more than
II they got a cab for individual
service. Under war conditions
they argued, there should be no bar
gain rate simply because they rode
IN cab with some other passenger
1t was evident cab drivers fear
that II there is an order for a man.
datory group-riding rate, some of a
group will pay nominal fares for a
short haul, while the driver will be
stuck" for bargain price" for a
long haul, to the second, third or
fourth zone, for the remaining pas
sengers on the same ride.
Efforts by PUG members to show
that with proper patronage of the
group-riding system drivers should
make about the same as they are
making now fell on deaf ears" It
would mean, said Jack Dolton of
Blue Light Cabs, that drivers would
be expected to carry the second pas
senger from. say the Wallard Hotel
to Chevy Chase for so cents.
All speakers declared their belief
that at least one thing should be
done: Present PUG regulations re-
garding division Of fares for group.
riding are too complicated and in
comprehensive for any driver or
passenger to work out and must be
substituted by something simple"
Police 1t. Joseph Harrington, hack
inspector, and Edward R. Deane.
OF the Board of Revocation and
Aeview, added their voices to this
plea.
20-Cent Rate Denounced.
Harry Davis, representing Dia-
mond cabs, and Edwin A. Glenn, the
United Taxicab Drivers, Inc, were
particularly bitter in denouncing any
rates beginning at 20 cents. Mr..
Glenn said return to such a rate
might give Washington another
blackeye," apparently referring to a
cab strike he once called over rates.
Chairman Flanagan attempted to
explain that the proposed rates were
not to be confused with 20-cent
rush. hour, two-zone pickup" serv-
ice, an early wartime measure which
had no great success. Mr.. Davis