Evening star., 1951-02-16
PUC Studying
Plea for Raise
In Cab Fares
Public Hearing
Marked by Generally
Sympathetic Reaction

SSsSb
The Public Utilities Commission
today was considering a proposed
increase in taxicab fares mere.
after a public hearing marked by
generally sympathetic reaction to
the idea.
IT believe an increase in taxi
cab rates is justified, the PUC's
top accountant. v. A. McElfresh,
told the hearing yesterday.
Mr.. McElfresh did not specify
the extent Of the boost he favors.
but the drivers petition seeks to
add 10 cents to the fares for
single passengers, and S cents for
group riders.
Also expressing the view that
the drivers need some relief"
was John H. Connaughton, chair
man of a public utilities sub
committee of the Federation Of
Citizens Associations.
Group Rate Proposed.
1--WE leave the mechanics of it
to the commission, he said.
The drivers proposal to limit
group riding rates to instances
in which two or more persons
enter a cab at the same time met
with less success, however.
Under this plan. two persons
entering a cab together would
pay group rates, while single
passenger getting into the same
cab with them a block away would
pay full single fare.
Under present schedules, the
drivers complain, this in an ex-
ample of what can happen:
A passenger entering a cab in
the fourth zone would pay 80 cents
riding downtown alone. The taxi
picks up another passenger en-
route in the first zone. The first
passengers fare drops to so cents
and the seconds to 20 cents, max
ing a total of 70 cents for the
trip under group-riding rates.
Rider Would Have Option.
If the change proposed by the
drivers is adopted, Mr.. McElfresh
said. he believes there should be
some provision whereby "a per-
son desiring individual service
could get it," In other words,
the passenger who didn't want to
participate in group riding would
have the option.
Group riding now is manda-
tory. Mr. McElfresh admitted
that what he suggested would
mean complete departure from
the present group-riding plan.
IF the single-passenger rate
applies to a person getting into
a cab by himself, he has no in
centive for group riding" he
pointed out.
Mr.. Connaughton said his group
is not disposed toward any mate
rial change in the regulations On
group riding. but that he thinks
they could be clarified.
Permit Board Change Urged.
In discussing the proposed fare
increase, Mr.. McElfresh said he
thought Edwin A. Glenn, presi-
dent of the National Transporta-
ton Co., Inc, put his finger on
an important point when he said
the increase should not be such
that it would drive business away"
After yesterdays hearing, a
taxicab official expressed the
opinion that the Board of Rev.
ocation and Restoration of Opera
tors Permits should include a
member of the taxicab industry
and one representing the public.
Jack H. Roger. president of the
Premier Cab Association and Of
the Combined Cab Service, Inc,
complained that the board put
different interpretations on taxi
cab regulations than the PUG or
the police hack inspection service.
Calls Board 'Dictatorial."
He said the actions of the board
were "dictatorial" and that the
punishment meted out by the
board was heavier than the fines
imposed by Municipal Court
judges.
Mr.. Roger added that. while he
was in favor of some sort of driver
supervision. the suspension of the
drivers permit for two weeks or
month amounted to hundreds of
dollars for a driver deprived of
the use of his cab during the
suspension period.
The board is now composed Of
Mrs. Mary A. Silver. chairman and
secretary, and two other District
employees named by the Commis-
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