Evening star., 1951-08-22
Sept. 24Hearing
Set for Transit
are Boost Plea
Survey Of Earnings
Since Lost Puy Raise
Will Be Made Public

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The Public Utilities Commission
today set a public hearing on the
Transit Co.'S fare increase
request for 10 am. September "a.
in the District Building board
room.
The company has asked that
the straight cash fare remain at
Is cents, that tokens be eliminate
ed, and that weekly passes be in
creased from So to $2.25.
In announcing the hearing, the
indicated that were it
not for a wage increase granted
company employees last month the
PUG might now be investigating
the possibility of fare reduction.
Survey Data Cited.
The PUG said preliminary re-
view of operations since the last
fare increase in July, 1850, brings
these observations:
l. Net operating income through
June, 1851, has shown a month
by-month improvement.
Q. A decline in Sthe number Of
passengers carried has shown q
definite tendency to level Off"
3. A reduction in car and bus
miles has resulted in substantial
economies. Increase in service to
accommodate increased demand
will affect such savings, but the
benefits should be of a continuing
nature.
4. A gradual reduction in the
Icompany's net investment in road
and equipment has resulted from
the fact that depreciation has ex-
ceeded added investment.
On July 16, 1850. cash fares were
increased from 13 to Is cents.
tokens from 3 for 35 cents to
three for 40 cents, and the pass
from SITS to 81.
Annual Income Up.
At that time, the commission
estimated that the fare structure
would provide an annual return
estimated at $1.771 900.
For the IL months ended in
June, actual return reported to
the commission was $1,788.0 900.
This was up to the point where
the wage increase went in effect.
The Commissioners, meanwhile,
sent to four District agencies for
consideration the Capital Tran
sit Co.'S request for permission
to use bigger buses here.
The new buses would be S feet
longer than the present 35-foot
type and 6 inches wider than the
present 8-foot width. They would
accommodate 10 more sitting pas
sengers, or a total of SIS, and B
more standees per bus.
! The request was transmitted to
the Highway, Traffic and Police
Departments and to the Public
Utilities Commission.
] Previously, in 1948, E. D. Mer-
trill, former president of the trans
lit company, had asked the Com
missioners for permission to try
out bus 104 inches wide-2 inches
wider than is now proposed.
First Request Denied.
The Commissioner at that time
denied the request.
Experience has amply shown
that no greater width (than 96
linches) could properly be permit
, ted for general USE" their letter
said.
Their letter went on to say that
a relaxation of standards for pas
senger buses probably would lead
to a renewed demand for similar
relaxation for privately owned
freight-carrying commercial vehi-
cles, and it would be difficult to
find a logical justification for
denying. this.
While transit over-width vehi-
cles legally could be restricted to
certain streets, at least it would
) not be possible to restrict such
privately owned trucks to partic-
ular streets.
Wider Streets Foreseen.
The city heads did give some
hope, however, that. with the
coming years, there will be a
progressive program of street
widening. progressive restrictions
against parking and standing at
curbs, and the like"
In time, they said. these factors
might justify a relaxation Of
standards of vehicle width.
The Commissioners 1948 letter
did not mention length, but the
vehicle proposed for try-out was
a twin coach arrangement, which
bent in the middle.
Engineer Commissioner Bernard
L. Robinson said yesterday, how
ever, the present request will be
considered as an ent ely new case
and that the decision in 1948 on
a different type of vehicle will not
prejudice the new request.
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