Local Transportation

Urban Transport Problems in a War Economy

Drastic changes in riding habits are being forced on the American people as a result of shortages in critical materials. Normal imports of rubber are cut off for the duration of the war and only military equipment will have access to stockpile sources of rubber. Steel plant capacity is devoted to the war effort and automobile factories have been converted to the manufacture of war goods. Inadequate transportation facilities for gasoline have resulted in curtailed deliveries to certain areas, and in 17 eastern states it was necessary to institute gasoline rationing on May 15.

While these and other factors are conspiring to reduce both the number and use of private automobiles, and thereby to increase demands upon mass transit ...