COMMISSIONERS AGAINST BUS PROJECT

Washington Times
December 28, 1922 Late Financial Edition

Public Utilities Body Denies Application for a New Line.

The Public Utilities Commission does not look with favor upon the extension of bus service in Washington except by the existing railway companies, it was indicated to-day in an order made public.

The order denied the application of the United Transportation Company for permission to operate a bus line from Fifteenth and Maryland avenue to Twenty-first and B streets northwest.

In turning down the request, the commission indicated that it believed that if such a bus line was needed for the sections along the proposed route the busses should be operated in conjunction with and supplemental to the street railway service.

It appeared certain today that this latest expression of opinion by the commission would soon result in court action. The commission makes it clear in its decision that the "field for bus service does not lie in the multiplication of lines or of vehicles reaching the heart of the city, but rather in providing service in the extension of street car lines into territory so thinly settled as not to justify the large investment necessary for street railway service."

The order was taken as an indication that the commission plans to allow no additional busses to operate in Washington unless by or in conjunction with the Washington Railway and Electric Company and Capital Traction Company.

The stated reason for denying the application was that "the sections of the District to be served by this proposed motor bus line lie entirely within the built-up portion the city, and are now adequately served by the existing street railway lines.

The commission points out that the route proposed runs parallel to the street car lines and "would be in direct competition with them."