University of Virginia Library

Student 'Spare The Fare' Group
Protests Loss Of Special Rate

By Robin Lind
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

What has been described as a
"generation gap issue" is forming
today in the field of public
transportation.

The bus companies have now
realized that they are losing their
younger passengers to the airlines
and that the youths of today, when
travelling any real distance, are
flying because they can do so not
only in less time, but at less cost. In
retaliation, the bus companies
recently brought pressure to
bear on the Civil Aeronautics Board.

In response to the recent
decision of the Board to abolish the
reductions for standby youth fares
for people between the ages of 12
and 22, students in campuses
across the nation have organized
'spare the fare' campaigns.

At the University a first-year
man, Dean Baim,has been
conducting a petition campaign for
almost two weeks, and yesterday
received a letter from the CAB in
reply to the approximately 750
signatures he has already forwarded
to President Nixon.

The newest development in this
campaign has been the entry of
forty-three Congressmen led by
Rep. Charles Vanik (D-Ohio) and
Rep. James Scheuer (D-N.Y.).
These Congressmen have
introduced a bill to write the
special fares into the law.

The legislation they are
sponsoring will include additional
categories that are not covered by
the present scheme. Their proposals
would provide seats on a standby
basis for students under 22, elderly
people over 65, and all military
personnel.

There is still a chance that the
CAB's ruling could be enforced,
although there is presently a
temporary court order staying the
decision. Mr. Baim urges all those
who still value their youth fares to
contact their Congressmen, in the
hopes that he will support the
Congressmen already involved if he
is not already doing so, or at least
sign the petitions being circulated
and which may be found this
morning in the main lobbies of the
Engineering, Business and Law
Schools and also in the Grill.