Evening star., 1948-09-08
Capital Transit
Seeks Curb on
FStreet PARKING
Would Clear Woy
Between 9th, 18th
To Aid Fringe Plan

The Capital Transit Co. has called
on the Public Utilities Commission
to eliminate all parking on F street
NV. between Fifteenth and Eighth
streets as part of the Districts
fringe parking" and shuttle bus
plan, it was learned today.
Parking in that area now is close
ly regulated much of it by meter
in those sections where it is per-
mitted
The transit company's recommen-
dation was made in a letter from its
president, E. D. Merrill, to the PUG,
revising the company's earlier petit
ton for a ruling in connection with
the program.
The fringe parking program is
being proposed to permit motorists
from outlying areas to park on the
fringe OF the business district and
travel in by bus. as a measure to
deal with the limited parking space
downtown.
The Commissioners would have
final say over any proposal to elm
mate F street parking. They would
have to call public hearings on the
question before it could be decided,
according to District officials. Act
ing Director of Vehicles and Traffic
Wallace Braun asked about the pro-
poSal today, declared he could see
mo need for eliminating F. street
parking. He conceded that F street
merchants probably would strongly
oppose any such move,
Other Points in Petition.
The new petition. received by the
PUG yesterday, also:
Drops temporarily consideration
iof one OF the three proposed fringe
parking" lots
Calls for straight cash fare with
transfer privileges instead of the 40
cent combination charge for the
twin services of all-day parking at
a fringe" lot and shuttle-bus rides
to the downtown section.
Mr.. Merrill's letter declared:
In the discussions leading up to
this application. it was understood
that parking on F street, between
Fifteenth and Eighth streets would
be eliminated In order to secure the
best operation of both cars and
buses on that street
Ban Held Necessary.
we desire to state our view that
this is necessary and desirable in
order to get the best results. Sufi-
cient room must be provided for
buses to get up to the curb and out
again at the bus stops, and the re-
manning available parking spaces
would seem to create a hazard and
obstruction out Of proportion to the
benefits"
The shuttle bus plan calls for
routing of buses between Heurich
Brewery and Municipal Center along
street NV. from, Fifteenth to
Eighth streets. A study made by
the Motor Vehicle Parking Agency,
author of the plan. revealed that
there are about 70 parking places
in that stretch OF F street, provid-
ing parking for about 490 automo-
biles a day with turnover. F street
is so feet wide from curb to curb.
The Capital Transit substitute
application yesterday eliminates the
Temple Heights lot, Connecticut and
Florida avenues NV, from consid-
Grafton for plan.
6-MOnth Trial Asked.
The application proposed that the
shuttle service be started September
20 on sixmonth tryout basis.
Meanwhile, use of Temple Heights
which is not ready for use as
parking lot in any event-was chal-
!enged by residents of the nearby
Wyoming Apartments because the
drlveways would be too close to the
building line of the apartment house.
A hearing on the protest has been
scheduled before the Board of Zon-
ing Adjustment for September 20.
The hearing will be limited to the
location of the driveWays for the
shuttle buses that would link Tenn
pie Heights to the downtown section.
The PUG has not yet ruled on the
Capital Transit application for ex-
tension of the RS West End bus
line from its present terminus at
the Treasury Department to es-
tabllSh contact between the NUM-
cipal Center lot, Third street and
Constitution avenue NV, and the
Heurich Brewery, Twenty-fifth and
E streets NV.