Evening star., 1952-01-11
Foes Of Bus Cut
To Rebut Transit
Plea Feb. {, 7
Commission to Hear
Prince Georges and
Montgomery Interests

BtttISS 0SVtSSS OltO
Montgomery Interests
By WiIIiom A. MiiIen
Star Stoff Correspondent
BALTIMORE, Jan. 11.-Op-
ponents OF the Capital. Transit
Co.'S plan to cut Maryland service
are studying company testimony
in preparation for rebuttal before
the Maryland Public Service Com
mission on February 6 and z.
Montgomery County interests
will be heard on February 6, those
from Prince Georges County on
February 7. Both hearings. due to
start at 10:30 am, are scheduled
IN commission headquarters in the
Munsey Building here.
Transit officials denied that the
pending request to drop unprofit-
Hble service is a. gradual with.
uraWal from Maryland operations
altogether. Seven bus lines in
nearby Maryland were abandoned
by the company last spring. The
transit company now is seeking to
get rid Of one line, cut back on
another and establish new express
lines. CTC officials say they have
no general plan. beyond that now
pending.
The company yesterday con-
cluded its direct testimony on it's
plea to abandon the H-6-8 Col
lege Park community line, leaving
Landover Hills and Kent Village
without that company's bus serv-
ice. The company says competing
companies will continue to serve
the area.
Compromise Sought.
But citizens of the region reg
istered their protest personally be-
fore the commission. They asked
that some compromise be worked
out so the general public, school
children. those going to church
and hospitals can have proper
public transportation.
Robert E. Harvey, CTC vice
president and controller, testified
the company's average revenue on
all Maryland lines is 80 cents
per mile. He said the average
cost per mile on the H-6-8 line is
43.8 cents, while the average rev.
enue per mile there is 1857 cents
"a loss of 25.14 cents per mile.
Mr.. Harvey told the commission
this is the lowest income per mile
of any line on the company's en-
tire system, either in the District
or Maryland. He declared wage
costs are over $4,000 a year on
this line alone.
Mrs. Robert E. Parsons, 1856
Forest road, Kent Village. repre-
senting the citizens group there,
presented petitions from her group
and the Bladensburg PTA, ask
ing that the H-6-8 line be re-
tanned. She said terminating the
line would cause undue hardship,
especially to school children.
Higher Fares Suggested.
Joseph c. Longridge, represent
ing the Prince Georges County
Chamber of Commerce, said the
proposed cutbacks would cause
undue hardship to a large portion
Of the Metropolitan Area. He said
Capital Transit should be required
to operate improbable lines, If
they are needed as a public serv-
ice. He said he believes riders
would be willing to pay higher
fares to keep the service.
Supt. Harry w. Penn of Prince
Georges General Hospital told the
commission the hospital employees
are concerned about threatened
discontinuance of the cross-coun-
ty bus service. He said the hos
pital has more than 300 employees
and many Of them Use the bus.
In the next year, e said, the
hospital expects to have 500 en-
ployes, under an expanding pro-
gram. But he pointed out aban-
donment of the H-6-8 bus will
materially affect the hospital.
CTC Attorney F. Gloyd Await
asked Mr.. Penn If he would be
surprised that average daily bus
users from the hospital number
only 100. Mr.. Penn said he does
not know the exact figure.
Thomas E. Latimer, president
Of the Board of Prince Georges
County Commissioners, urged that
the bus service be maintained.
School children use Capital Tran-
sit buses. he said, although more
school buses are being purchased.
He said the commissioners hope
Capital Transit can expand its
services, rather than cut it. Other
wise, he said. the county will have
to increase school bus service.
Question on Leaving State.
Walter F. Mulligan, president
OF the Prince Georges County
Civic Federation. asked why, be-
cause of Improbable operations,
Capital Transit does not get out
of Maryland. Attorney Await re-
joined: 1--WE can give considera-
ton to it. If that is what you
want"
But Commissioner Frank Harper
said: "That is not the suggestion
of the commission"
Commissioner Wilmer Fell Davis
commented to CTC representatives
during the hearing: II wonder how
long it will be before you are out
of Maryland"
Chairman John H. Hessey OBJ
served: II hope you will not come
back asking to abandon further
lines"
Commissioner Davis, at another
point. told CTC representatives:
'You got awfully disturbed yes.
|terday when one of your compet-
itors wanted q piece Of your busi-
ness"
This was a reference to the
|Oriole Lines, CTC competitor in
suburban Washington.
Ma kAAnS:an &C T,~f.