Philadelphia & Reading Railway Co. v. Public Service Commission

Citations

• 67 Pa. Super. 604
• 1917 Pa. Super. LEXIS 465

Syllabus

<p>Railroads — Branch—Installation of passenger service.</p> <p>An order of tbe Public Service Commission directing a railroad company to furnish passenger service on a branch will be sustained where the evidence shows that the branch was a constituent part of the company’s railroad built under legislative authority; that it was used for small shipments of freight, and occasionally for excursion trains for passengers; and that the service would not be wholly unremunerative.</p> <p>Where a railroad is granted by the State a public franchise to engage in .passenger, freight and the' general business of a railroad company, the rights of a common carrier áre thereby conferred. It is the duty of such carrier, who accepts such franchises and engages in business under them, to operate its facilities within its ownership or control in such manner as to meet the reasonable requirements of the communities to be served. The duty of furnishing adequate service for the accommodation of the public follows the continued enjoyment or partial use of such franchises.</p>