bjgreen
The first jitneys in 1915 were often Ford Model T cars driven by the car’s owner (Image: wikimedia.com)
By Betsy J. Green
We didn’t have the app-based taxi company called Uber back in Santa Barbara in 1915, but we did have a similar alternative transport system called the jitney that was just as convenient – and just as controversial.
A nickel, nicknamed a “jitney,” bought you a ride in a private car – often a Ford Model T touring car – driven by its owner who wanted to use his/her vehicle to make some extra money.
Like Uber, which began in San Francisco and spread worldwide, the jitney began in Los Angeles in 1914, and soon expanded to other cities – like Santa Barbara.
Betsy’s Way Back When book — 1919 — is now available in local bookstores and at Amazon.com. This is the sixth book in her series of the history of Santa Barbara, one year at a time. Learn more at
Hi, Betsy—this is the second time the year 1915 has been highlighted. I understand the Santa Barbarans of 1920 are getting miffed that their year is being slighted. (But then, considering this is SB, maybe nothing at all happened here that year, kind of like 1961.)