Evening star., 1952-07-10
Arnold BusIine Asks
ice 10 Reconsider
Elimination Of Tokens

The Interstate Commerce Com
mission today was asked to re-
consider token n-elimination case
on the Arnold busline and stave
of congressional criticism.
The company's attorney. S.
Harrison Kahn. in a petition,
urged the full commission to
abolish tokens, which now sell six
for 81. On April Is, Division 2
of the commission, comprising
three ICC members, ruled against
the company and refused to elm
mate tokens.
In his petition, Mr.. Kahn said
there is a move in Congress to-
strip the commission of Washing
ton area jurisdiction and set up
an entirely new transit commits
sion.
Mr.. Kahn also said that the
commission, by eliminating tokens,
would improve the company's
finances, permit better service and
avoid public criticism and con-
|greSSional action.
2O-to Accent Fares.
Interstate cash fares on the
Washington, Virginia & Maryland
Coach Co. (Arnold Lines) range
from 20 to 40 cents cash, depend
ing on the different riding zones.
The company wants a straight
cash fare only, with tokens
dropped.
Within the boundaries of Vir-
ginia alone, the cash fare is IS
cents, with five cents additional
for each zone.
In his petition, Mr.. Kahn con-
tended the company should have
opportunity to argue it's case be-
fore the commission. He said:
Transit fares and services have
become so pertinent in the Metro
politan Area that Con-
gress has under consideration
several bills to the end that a new
transit commission, scorning all
jurisdiction and authority of the
ICC over the respondent and
other carriers, be created.
Since the issues in this case
are Of such Importance that they
are the subject of current bills
before Congress. it appears reason
able that the ICC, as the cur
rently designated commission by
the Congress of the United States
to consider these matters, should
afford the respondent an op-
|portunity to argue it's case before
it,"
Reasonable and just"
Mr.. Kahn maintained that the
elimination of tokens is reason
able and Just.
Division 2 acknowledges need
for additional revenue to meet in
creased operating COSTS" said the
petition.
Mr.. Kahn argued that Division
u says the entire fare structure
should be revised. But the lawyer
contended that types of fare in
creases other than elimination of
tokens would result in a loss of
passengers.
Division 2 had contended that
abolishing tokens would cause the
company to lose passengers.
'The failure by this commission
to allow this carrier to secure adj
|ditional revenues has impaired it's
services and facilities to the pub
|lic," said the petition. "The pub
lie, therefore, harasses the car
rier; it has complained to the ICC
concerning services: representa-
tives Of Arlington County appeared
before the Senate Committee on
Interstate and Foreign Commerce
and complained bitterly concern
ing the services and facilities of
existing carriers in their areas.
There Is only one economic So
luton to service, and that is suf-
ficient revenues to afford the
service.
"A motor bus operator cannot
forever await fare adjustments
many, many months after sustain
ing substantial increased operating
costs without a substantial impair
ment Of its services to the public.
The carrier can not continue to
render services at substantial
losses"