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One of the very first Chicago city buses was called “Jitney.” 5¢ per person - 1915. |
Kennelly’s warnings had little effect. The Jitneys kept running. Kennelly alienated the powerful South Side congressman, William L. Dawson. Dawson and most of his constituents were African American. Since many white cab drivers wouldn’t serve black passengers in 1950, the local community relied on the Jitney cabs.
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Private citizen's family car used as a Jitney cab. |
"JITNEY" DEFINITION:
- Unlicensed taxi cabs that service high-crime areas where licensed cabs just won't go to.
- A small bus or car following a regular route along which it picks up and discharges passengers, originally charging each passenger 5¢.
NOTE: Jitney was the great-grandfather of Uber.
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.
My favorite seat while riding the Jitney, was the jump seat. My nephew and I would fuss about who got the jump seat for this ride. I loved riding the Jitney.
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