Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-08-07
70 Seek
Transit Solution
For Region
First Report Due
Within Six Months;
Subway Studied
BY FRANCIS P. DOUGLAS

BY FRANCIS P. DOUGLAS
A survey Of mass transporta-
ton in the Washington metro
Ipolitan area gets under way to-
morrow, with prospects that 1t
will have an important bearing
on the areas development.
William c. Mckay, who will
direct the survey, said yesterday
the job-and conditions here
are complicated by the fact
three independent political units
are involved; He described the
situation as unique.
In addition to the govern
mental Jurisdictions of the Dis
trict, Maryland and Virginia,
there are the subdivisions of the
adjacent counties and the city of
Alexandria, he pointed out.
TwO-Year Survey
The survey is expected to take
two years. There probably will
be preliminary reports, however.
Mr.. Mckay estimated that the
| first might be ready in about
six months.
Congress appropriated $780,
900 to the National Capital
Planning Commission to finance
the survey, There is an under
standing that the commission
would come back next year for
an additional 100000.
| Mr.. Mckay, interviewed by
telephone at La Grange, Ga,
where he has been visiting, de-
Iclined to go into matters which
could only be determined by the
survey. Here are his opinions on
some subjects. however:
! Is a subway needed by WASH
ington? He said the survey
would have to determine that
and whether the volume Of pas
sengers would be sufficient to
support a subway.
Buses Versus Street Cars
Can a speedy transit service
be operated without a separate
right of way? Mr.. Mckay said he
did not believe a really rapid
transit system can be achieved
without a separation, unless,
of course. YOU speed up all traffic,
or give preference to transit We
hicleS by a separate lane"
Buses versus streetcars? He de-
clined to commit himself spe-
cifically on this. But he said the
newly developed buses, having
about the same seating capacity
as streetcars, would do about as
well as the trolleys under COM
parable conditions.
The question was raise
whether the amount of the fare
Ior speed is the prime considera-
ton in winning back patrons for
transit lines.
1T is more a question Of speed
than a question Of fare-speed,
convenience and the general at
Effectiveness of the service,y he
said.
Study All Transit Systems
Mr. Mckay was assistant vice
president for operations of the.
Philadelphia Transportation Co.
He headed department which
has a force of about 10000
persons.
He said the first step in the
survey would be a complete COL
lection Of facts concerning the
population of the area, the traf-
Ific and the travel requirements
OF the residents. The last takes
in the paths they want to take
between where they live and
where they work. and the num-
Der of persons involved.
The survey will encompass the
whole area. he said. and also all
the transit companies. There
are IA such companies.
Discussions of WASHINGTON
area transit have frequently adj
Vanced proposals for a transit
authority combining the lines in
the three Jurisdictions and op-
Grating them.
Union Transit Terminal
H. Lester Hooker of the Vir-
ginia State Corporation Commits
sion. said, however, he does not
believe a unified system would
ever come about. He suggested
that what m light be possible
would be a union terminal in
downtown Washington for the
exchange of passengers between
lines operating on either side Of
the Potomac.
Il don't believe an interstate
authority would work." he said.
mot here in Virginia anyway.
We feel strongly about States
rights. But we would have no
trouble in getting along with the
District and Maryland in a CO.
|ordinated body which would have
jurisdiction over interstate
traffic"
The Virginia constitution pro-
|hibits any surrender OF State
control over public utility serv-
ices within the State.