[PRCo] Millvale/Etna Routes, September 1952

[mrb190]

>From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 1952....


BARGAIN FARES FOR MILLVALE, ETNA BUS LINES

In substituting buses for trolleys on the Millvale and Etna routes, the
Pittsburgh Railways Company is setting up two bargain bus lines.

The fare for the Etna and Millvale buses will be exactly the same as the present
streetcar fares.

Riders will be able to ride from the end of the lines to Downtown for 17 cents
cash, or may purchase three tokens - good for three rides - for 50 cents.

Riders on the company's other regular bus routes must pay a 23-cent fare, or may
buy five bus tickets for $1.05.

The new set-up will will result in other paradoxes.  For instance, the fare on
the Etna bus route, which is 12.51 miles round trip, will be less than on the
Squirrel Hill route, which is only 11.38 miles round trip.

The Millvale route is 9.86 miles round trip.

Also, Etna riders who come from the end of the line to Downtown - approximately
six miles - will pay less than riders who "catch" the Squirrel Hill bus at Craft
Avenue, Oakland - less than three miles to Downtown.

Heretofore, the transit firm has charged the 17-cents cash fare only on its
shuttle bus lines.

The new set-up for Etna and Millvale raises the obvious question:
"If the company charges only 17 cents cash fare on the Etna and Millvale lines,
why can't it charge the same on its other through routes?"

The Pittsburgh Railways Company announcing that the change will be effective at
5:30 a.m., Tuesday, offered no explanation.

On both the Millvale and Etna lines, 45-passenger buses, running on a
round-the-clock basis will follow the old street car routes.

The Public Utility Commission approved the conversion to buses on August 12.

Eighteen of 30 new buses purchased at a cost of $325,000 in May were earmarked
for the Etna and Millvale routes, C.D. Palmer, Pittsburgh Railways Co. president
said at the time.

The Millvale car house was remodeled into a bus garage at a cost of $160,000.
____________
The bus garage lasted - the best of my knowledge until the very early sixties.  I
recall seeing the aftermath of the demolition of the facilty sometime in 1962-3,
when crossing the 40th street bridge with my grandfather.

Also, with regard to the story, I think I recall reading that a stink was raised
about the Millvale/Etna fares by the riders, but I am not sure of the outcome.

Matt