Evening star., 1951-08-01
Transit BIames
d. Traffic for
lis Slow Service
Firm Links Problems
To Congested Streets
And Signal Lights
By james G. Deone

Capital Transit Co. today
blamed Washington traffic for it's
service problems.
The company told the Public
Utilities Commission that in spite
of "the best available technical
skill" and "the best vehicles per-
mitted to be operated" it is I'M
able to prevent increasing traffic
congestion from slowing down ITS
service.
1t said the situation was out of
the control of the transit COM
pany.
The company also:
l. Disclosed that it is prepared
to buy new buses las soon as
poSsible'-but only if the District
changes its regulations to permit
larger ones than now in use.
Passenger Decline Cited.
2. Said that cuts in service have
been less drastic than steady
decline in revenue passengers.
Passengers have dropped 35 per
cent since 1916, but vehicle miles
have dropped only 18 per cent,
the company said.
3. Complained of increasing
numbers of "multi-phase traffic
lights" being installed on transit
routes. Such lights allow too short
a time for the movement of tran
sit vehicles in competition with
other traffic, the company said.
The testimony came in the third
day OF special hearings by the
PUG on the ''reasonableness" of
Capital TranSit's service to the
Washington public.
The statement of the company's
position was presented by Dean
j. Locke, staff engineer.
Traffic Problem Stressed.
In pointing up the traffic prob
lem, Mr.. Locke cited an increase
in auto registration since 1916 of
Sc per cent. an increase in gaso-
line sales of 80 per cent and an
increase in overall traffic volume
of 80 per cent.
Capital Transit Co. has pur-
chased the best vehicles per-
mitted to be operated under pres
ent regulations and has the know
how from long experience with
which to render top-notch serv-
ice" Mr.. Locke declared.
Primarily. it only lacks the
rights Of way over which to pro-
vide such service. These rights
of way are publicly owned and
operated and utilized by prac-
tically all individuals and groups
and forms of transport which
wish to use them.
Until this situation is correct
ed, urban mass transit will be able
to do little if anything to expedite
the movement of its vehicles"
Delays Held Unavoidable.
Capital Transit has a staff of
engineers and traffic checkers who
work with the District to try to
meet the congestion, Mr.. Locke
pointed out, but he added:
THE demands of ever-increas-
ing volumes of freewheel traffic
have been in many cases
obtained at the expense of transit
vehicles"
Delays in service are the un-
avoidable result, the engineer said
and he added that the problem Is
becoming steadily more serious.
On new buses. Mr.. Locke said
the company feels it would not
be justified at this time" in buy
ing any more of the size now used.
While no new buses have been
purchased since 1949, the COM
pany is using only 796 of the 963
buses it already owns, leaving a
10 per cent reserve should patron
age increase, Mr. Locke said.
But company officials, he dis
closed. already have conferred
with city officials about a change
in regulations to permit larger
buses. The company wants We
hicleS with a capacity of so to SIS
seats instead of the present maxi
mum of A.
Future Purchasing Possible.
If the regulations are changed
Mr.. Locke said, the company lis
contemplating the purchase as
soon as possible Of such number
of the larger buses as may be
economically justified"
Earlier. Capital Transit ad.
mitted that it has had quite a
few" complaints about the toe
few buses to pickup waiting pa
irons at a busy loading point
Sixteenth and R streets NV.
The admission came from Hor-
ace MuSson. assistant superin-
tendent Of transportation.
Mr.. Musson'S statement came
during questioning by PUG Coun-
sci, Lloyd B. Harrison. Mr.. Har-
rison also asked whether the
company receives many com
plants about drivers passing
waiting patrons when their buse.
are not fully loaded.
Il don't remember how many
complaints we do have" Mr.
Musson replied. I'VE get then
occasionally"
Passing up passengers is con-
sidered d serious offense," anc
drivers are disciplined for it, thu
witness testified.
Admits Service Reduced.
A company witness admitted
yesterday that service on som,
main bus lines has ben reduced
during the last two years. Blu
he also submitted data showing
that overall carrying capacity OF
some of the same lines has ia
exceeded passenger traffic.
The company also listed SOM
instances where service has beel
improved.