Banks Urges Free Busing For the Poor: Transit Passes Asked at Flearing ...
James G. Banks, executive! director of the cityÛªs anti-poverty agency, suggested yes-' terday that the District give free bus passes to welfare recipients and those collecting unemployment compensation..</br></br>tie also recommended that people earning less than the minimum wage be given free passes ÛÏpaid for in part by their employers.Û</br></br>Banks offered the proposals at a D.C. Citizens Council hearing on the broad question of public subsidies for D.C.</br></br>He said he was ÛÏtroubled that D.C. Transit, a transportation monopoly which has exclusive franchise for much of the metropolitan area, is at this time requesting an increase in fares.Û</br></br>The company has asked for permission to raise its fares an average of 316 cents, chiefly by elibiinatmg cut-r ate tokens and charging a nickel for transfers. The basic cash fare is now a quarter; transfers now are free.