Declining Years
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The hard times that affected all other trolley systems in
the United States during the 1920’s did not pass over the
Water Works line. The growth of the private automobile
stole an ever-increasing number of passengers from public
transit. As passengers and revenue declined, operating
costs increased. In order to maintain good service a fare
rise was authorized by the City, effective July 1, 1922,
eliminating all fare commutation tickets. All adult fares
were a flat five-cents and child fares three-cents. Fare
tickets could still be bought in quantity but afforded the
purchaser no reduction in rates. In order to insure that
all fares collected went to the City, the Water Department
purchased fare boxes from United Railways and installed
them in the cars. The relentless decline in revenue did
not halt, and it was finally necessary in 1928 to reduce
service. In 1929 a bus line began operation along
Riverview Boulevard, paralleling the entire length of the
car line in revenue service. Consequently, passengers and
revenue declined at a more rapid rate. As an economy
measure one-man operation was inaugurated in July 1931.
Operation staggered on for another eight years, but when
the number of passengers for the fiscal year 1938-1939
fell off to less than 25,000 persons, the Water Department
finally decided that it would be cheaper to halt service
and hire someone to transport its employees to Chain of
Rocks. On May 31, 1939, the electric cars ran their last
day. The following day the Suburban Service Bus Company
began, under contract, to transport employees between
Baden and Chain of Rocks at shift periods.
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