Evening star., 1950-07-20
Capital Transit
May Seek New
Fare Rise Soon
Recent Advance
To Be Inadequate,
HeberIe Testifies

Capital Transit Co. riders soon
may face another fare increase
request.
The recent advance granted by
the Public Utilities Commission
will be inadequate to meet the
company's needs, j. e. Heberle,
Capital Transit vice president
and controller. yesterday told the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Capital Transit began collecting
higher fares in the District last
Sunday. The increases were from
13 to Is cents cash, 35 to 40
cents for three tokens and $1.75
to So for the weekly pass.
More money is needed than
that allowed by the PUC," Mr..
Heberle told Examiner H. C. Law
ton in the Pentagon fare increase
hearing. Capital Transit closed
its case today.
"PUC Over-enthusiastic."
Mr.. Heberle testified the PUC's
chief accountant estimated that,
for the year ending May 81, 1851,
CTC will obtain passenger revenue
totaling $26, 6,310,678. But the wit
ness declared he thinks the "PUC
has been over-enthusiastic in its
estimates Of the amounts the new
fare will produce" He asserted
he does not think it will attain
the PUG estimated figure.
Mr.. Heberle declared that costs
per passenger will increase, not
alone because of higher service
costs. but because of the con-
tinued reduction in the number of
passengers. Accordingly, he de-
clared, he believes CTC should re-
ceive IS cents as its portion of
any joint fare between the Dis
trict and the nearby Virginia
Government establishments. Pas
Sengers are carried on joint line
ticket by CTC and the Virginia
buslines.
The hearing was called to de-
termine whether the joint line
tickets to Government installa-
tionS in nearby Virginia should be
continued and if the fares should
be raised. The Virginia compan-
les want a scent increase from
the present 10-cent fare.
Asked by Examiner Lawton
what the situation would be if
the District were extended to take
in the nearby Virginia Govern
ment installations, Mr.. Heberle
replied he preferred not to specu-
late on fares or service under that
condition.
The transit company closed its
case with a denial that it is a
monopoly. 80
S. Harrison Kahn. attorney for
the Alexandria, Bancroft & Wash
irlgton Transit Co., asked if CTC
is not in a preferred position
over other private companies be-
cause it enjoys monopoly here.
Mr.. Heberle denied this on the
witness stand. He observed that
A. B. & w. is carrying passengers
within the District.
Competition Noted.
When Mr.. Kahn pointed out
that his company does not hold
a certificate from the PUG to
within the District, CTC Attorney
Daryl Myse declared, You are
operating illegally, then"
Mr.. Myse said later that CTC
also has competition from the
Washington. Marlboro & Anna
polls Motor Lines, Inc, along
Pennsylvania avenue within the
District. The hearing is devoted
to whether the join line tickets to
the Government installations in
nearby Virginia-National Airport.
the Pentagon, Arlington Farms,
and the Navy Annex-should be
continued and the fares raised.
Wants Rate Basis Set.
Mr.. Heberle said CTC is con-
tending in this case that the total
Of $43,764,571 worth of company
property in the District should be
used as the basis for making rates.
Mr.. Heberle testified that the
Joint line tickets which CTC
shares with the Virginia bus COM
panieS to the Government estab-
are good in a large area
of the District. He said the tickets
are good on CTC vehicles on any
stop in this area and that all the
Virginia lines concerned have con-
tact points within this region.