Evening star., 1946-03-08
PrinceGeorges
|GroupAdopts
Transit Plan
Civic Federation
Asks New Routes,
Improved Service

A four-point program for i'm
proved transportation in the metro
politan Prince Georges County area
served by the Capital Transit Co.,
including suggested new lines, was
adopted last night by the Prince
Georges County Civic Federation.
The points are: That there be no
break In direct service to and from
downtown Washington and the pro-
posed rerouting of buses into the
Mount Rainier terminal be aban-
doned.
The 3o-day trial period of the
proposed changes asked by the
transit company and authorized by
the Maryland Public Service Com
mission be Immediately put into
effect, and applied to the complete
plan, or the commissions authori-
zation be rescinded.
Asks Master Plan.
A master plan covering all sec
tions be created, including estab-
lishment of new lines to commune
ties having no service; trunk and
feeder lines to buses and streetcars
to serve the county hospital at
Cheverly, Leland Memorial Hospi-
tai at Riverdale, the County Serv-
ice Building at Eyattsville, schools,
shopping centers, banks, railroads
and churches, and half fares be not
permitted and existing fare zones
be continued, weekly pass good
within the county be introduced and
l6 tickets for 81 be sold instead Of
20 as at present, and a scent ticket
for school children be provided with
transfer privileges.
The plan provides for a new bus
line from West Lanham to Hyatts-
vile, but the exact route was not
decided. 1t opposes proposed re-
routing into the Mount Rainier
terminal of the Cheverly buses that
now go direct to Washington. The
East Riverdale line also would
proceed directly to and from WASH
lngton, but service would be pro-
vlded to East Pines via Riverdale
road, with more frequent service,
pending construction of a highway
to East Pines.
New Route Favored.
1t was agreed that the transit
company's plan to establish fast
streamlined car service direct to
downtown Washington from Branch
vile was desirable. The new bus
route to Hyattsville scheduled to
start March II, via Queens Chapel
road, was favored, except for the
provision for going into the Mount
Rainier terminal. Direct service
downtown is sought.
Restoration of the bus line that
formerly started at Riverdale and
proceeded to Washington was rec
commended, the proposal being that
it begin at Branchville on the Bal
timore boulevard and 60 to the city
via the University of Maryland and
the Peace Cross at Bladensburg.
The plan asks that the bus
route from Greenbelt be continued
through Branchville to the Balti-
more boulevard and not end at the
Branchville Streetcar station as Is
proposed by the transit company.
Establishment of a croSs-country
bus line from the Baltimore boule-
ward along Eastern avenue to con-
meet all intersecting routes win be
sought.
Seeks Oxon Hill Service.
1t was recommended that a new
bus line be established from the
District line on Livingston road to
Forest Heights, serving residents in
Oxon Hill district.
1t was decided to ask that the
Bladensburg school bus start at
Landover and Annapolis roads.
Louis A. Day, chairman of the
federation's Public Utilities Com
mittee, who introduced the plan,
said it would be laid before the di-
rectors of the Prince Georges Cham
Der of Commerce tonight. 1t is in
tended then to take it up with the
transit company, which will be
urged to accept it in lieu of its
present proposals. Mr.. Day said the
plan probably will go before the
Maryland Service Commission re-
gardless of the transit company's
attitude.
Charles F. Luebner and Daniel M.
Greene were named to represent the
federation at the taxicab rates hear
ing to be held Tuesday before the
county commissioners.