Evening star., 1950-01-26
Written Protests
On Transit Fare
Filed With PSC
Maryland Citizens
Stress Value of Lines
As Feeders to D. c.
By q sfaff Correspondent Of The ster

By sfaff Correspondent Of The star
BALTIMORE, Jan. 26.-Resi-
dents of nearby Maryland sub
urbs have filed strong protests
with the Maryland Public Service
Commission against a proposed
zone fare increase on Capital
Transit Co. lines.
The commission is studying a
request for an increase from the
present scent zone fare to 7
cents. Hearings closed Tuesday
afternoon after a number of citi-
zens had appeared in person to
object to higher fares.
Meanwhile, the commission in
sured that the Maryland fares
will remain at 5 cents a zone un-
til May % unless otherwise or
dered. The commission said it
cannot render its decision before
Sunday, when the requested fare
increase would automatically go
into effect. Under Maryland law.
transit rate increases, unless
halted by the commission, auto
matically become effective in 80
days. The company filed its re-
quest December 90.
Although the order can remain
in effect for 120 days, the PSC
is expected to rule on the case
much sooner than that.
Citizens Stress Added Costs.
Robert G. Gronewald, president
OF the Capitol View Park Citizens
Association, advised the commits
sion by letter his group has gone
on record against the increase.
He wrote: ...
THE proposed increase of 10
per cent in Maryland fares would
represent for most users of the
bus system in this community an
increase of cents each trip or
II cents per day for each member
Of the. family who uses the bus
system, since most users continue
to the terminal at the District of
Columbia line at Georgia and
Alaska avenues. In fact, most
users from this community con-
tinue into Washington, D. c., and
the Maryland lines serve as valu-
able feeders for the District sys-
tenn.
THE proposed sharp increase
in bus fares will force a number
OF us to turn from public to pri-
vate means of transportation. It
may also be pointed out that the
cost per mile of riding buses in
suburban Montgomery County is
higher than in the District of CO.
lumbia and this disproportion
would be increased by the pro.
posed fare increases"
Chevy Chase Group Objects.
Mrs. Adeline M. Koenick, sec.
tretary, Rock Greek Forest Citizens
Association, Chevy Chase, wrote
that the executive committee of
her group passed a motion OBJ
Jecting to the proposed increase.
Mrs. Koenick declared the OBJ
lection is based on the mileage
travelled in the two zones between
Rock Creek Forest and Chevy
Chase circle. In this distance of
about 21a miles, she said, the fare
would be IA cents. In the District.
she pointed out. one may travel
up to Is miles for one token.
Tokens now are sold at the rate
OF three for IS cents, with trans
fer privileges.
Mrs. Bernard L. Teelyea, cor
responding secretary of the Prince
Georges County Federation of
Women's Clubs. wrote:
"The protest is based on the
considered belief that the Mary
land users of the transit COM
pany are already paying sufi-
clent fare for the service rem
dered and are not in a position
to pay the increase asked by the
company. 1t is our studied opin-
ion that the increase sought
would be warranted only after a
very considerable improvement in
the service rendered was actually
eHectuated and the ability of the
consumers to pay was also en-
hanced."
More Bus Stops Suggested.
Miss Ildria Bridges, 1905 Ken
nedy street. Hyattsville, sup-
gested restoration of the method
OF buses stopping on each corner.
especially after rush hours. Her
letter contended this should be
done regardless of fare increases.
She urged direct service during
rush hours to downtown WASH
lngton without cost above the
regular fare. She declared there
should be an increase in the size
OF the first zone between Mount
Rainier and College Park and
R1verdale, Md, to end at the
shopping center at 38th and
Hamilton streets. She said she
pays much more money now for
much poorer service than when
the area was less densely popu-
lated.
Paul Alexander, president of the
Civic League of Brookmont and
Vicinity, Inc, wrote that the tran
sit firm has given insufficient
notice of its intention to raise
fares. He declared the company
has confused the issue with it's
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