Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-11-05
Transit Agency
For Area Gets
New Impetus
Planning Chairman
Says Authority Moy
Construct Facilities
By FRANCIS P. DOUGLAS

u
whole District area to unity rates
land service.
Such q project has been at
tempted before, but has failed
because Of lack Of agreement
lamong the three jurisdictions
lconcerned. This time it is an
initial project Of the mass trans
Iportation survey for the area in
which Virginia, Maryland and
the District are cooperating.
i An overall transit operating
agency which might build rapid
transit facilities is under con-
federation.
These DEVELOPMENTS IN the
Transit study were reported yes
Iterday by Harland Bartholemew
chairman OF the National Cap
lital Planning Commission.
Seek Improved Service.
He said il is hoped the crea-
itiOn Of an area regulatory
agency would bring improved
services by existing transit conn
lpanies. He added:
AS the transportation study
land plans are worked out 10 de-
]taii during the next IL months,
lie Is possible that some form Of
loyerall operating agency may be
shown to be desirable and neces-
lsary.
Such an agency, for example,
lwoud be necessary IN order 70
construct rapid transit facilities
land 10 operate or lease such IA
lcilitieS. It is not possible at this
thine to forecast the manner In
which such an agency might be
created. Several possibilities are
being considered. including that
which might be set up Through
Ian interstate compact"
/ Jerome M. Alper. q cotslitant.
ihas been employed by the tram
lsit study organization to make
Recommendation for legisia-
Ition on the regulatory problems
land the possible creation OF an
interstate agency.
Mr.. Bartholomew announce
Innent was made at 3 joint meet
ling Of the planning commission
land the Regional Planning
Council.
He said that II there Is to be
rapid transit construction 1t
would have to be by q new
agency created for that purpose.
but. he added, this would not
come up for consideration until
next year.
The question was raised
whether rapid transit facilities
would be BY rail or bus. Mr..
Bartholomew replied that those
making the survey are thinking
lof both.
Another question was whether
any provision would be made for
separate rights-of-Way for rapid
transit on proposed new bridges.
Mr. Bartholomew said 1t Is too
late to consider such d develop
Iment In connection with the
protected Constitution Avenue
1 Bridge.
The proposed Reaches Run
Bridge below the Railway Fridge
Twas suggested as q project with
which to couple consideration Of
rapid transit facilities.
Petitions for Strectcars
1 Petitions from the Federal Of
Citizens Associations and the
Citizens Transit improvement
Association were presented, OPP
lposing any irreyocable abandon-
Iment Of streetcar facilities in the
l District. John A. Remora, vice
chairman Of the planning COM
mission, remarked that he has
lnoted q sentiment in favor OF
lstreetcars.
An agreement was approved
whereby the Once Of Area De
lvelopment Of the Commerce De-
lpartment is to make D survey 81
1.-THE economic base OF the District
'larea. The survey is expected tc
provide forecasts Of the possible
economic development Of the
IIarea. These would be used in
estimating future population Ia
preparing land use and popu-
,llation studies In connection with
1.-THE transit survey.
Pyke Johnson has been added
Ito the consulting star for the
transit survey. He formerly was
head Of the Automotiye Safety
Foundation and has been ident-
lifted with many motor and high
WAY organizations. He is d
Washington area resident.