How California Wildcat Sedans Challenged a Regulated Bus Monopoly, 1917-1942

What is it about?

During World War I California brought the state's nascent intercity bus industry under regulatory control of the California Railroad Commission, not to protect public welfare, but to protect the larger bus firms from competition. The paper describes how small entrepreneurs defied the state-sanctioned corporate monopoly by modifying touring cars and forming loosely-organized alliances with second class hotel operators to run competing, illegal service between Los Angeles and San Francisco. They did so profitably for 25 years. The paper describes the organization and economics of the wildcat sedans as well as the on-going but unsuccessful efforts by corporate elites to stamp them out.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The story of the rapid rise and equally rapid elimination of urban jitneys is well known. Almost nothing is known, however, about the urban jitney's illegal and defiant cousin, the wildcat sedans that ran profitably between Los Angeles and San Francisco throughout the interwar period. In telling the wildcat sedan story, this paper (in the context of other stories of gypsy truckers), offers insight into alternative possibilities for organizing transport services.

Perspectives