JTC

[John Swindler]

>Derrick asked some time ago:
>
>Well, how about...
>
>I've not done the supporting research, yet. I went to the Glosser Library 
>in Johnstown about 5 years ago with the intention of finding the right 
>areas to poke around, assuming there were any "right areas" there, and got 
>side-tracked once inside the library. Haven't been back in, and one of 
>these days I really should... anyhow...
>
>-they seemed to have a case of indecision. they weren't really ready to
>abandon the rail system (witness the oakhurst line being useable for many 
>years after it was officially in service, or so i understand it, and the 
>relaying of rail in the new Maple Avenue bridge on the Franklin line) yet 
>they used the 1959 steel strike to axe Coopersdale... maybe they knew it 
>was coming by 1959, and weren't sure earlier, but other research points at 
>an economic downturn beginning as early as 1957; perhaps it was more 
>protracted or its effect on the steel industry more profound than was 
>forseen at the time.
>
>but when they finally decided it was the end for the rail cars, electric 
>trolleybus service soldiered on for 7 more years, so they didn't get to 
>cast off the somewhat expensive and certainly taxable infrastructure yet 
>anyhow.
>
>this has always been somewhat mind-boggling, but i expect when i have time 
>to go read i will find and know the answer
>


In addition to newspapers, JTC was regulated by PUC.  Therefore, there will 
be petitions to convert to trackless, then to bus.  It might be interesting 
to see what testimony was provided by Glenn Reitz during PUC hearings.  
Available on microfilm in basement of North Office Building in Harrisburg.

However, would suspect local employment situation was significant 
cause/effect.  You mentioned economic downturn in 1957.  Vague recollection 
of a Cambria County Planning study from mid-1970s showing that almost half 
of remaining riders disappeared around 1967.   The following is from 1972:

1945    ---   23,909,447 passengers

1950    ---   14,908,685

1955    ---    8,264,789

1960    ---    5,830,202

1965    ---    4,083,804

1970    ---    2,154,723

That's a 91 percent decline!  Just for record, something more recent.

1998    ---    1,259,105  of which 361,855 are senior citizens riding for 
free with subsidy from lottery fund and general fund (general fund is your 
6% state sales tax and state income tax)


On May 1, 1947, JTC's equipment included 85 buses and 70 streetcars

In Dec. 1965 JTC fleet included 40 buses, 25 trackless, 16 school buses and 
6 coaches for charters.

As of August 1971, JTC fleet included 32 transit buses, 49 school buses and 
4 coaches for charters.


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