[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51489-51490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25212]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board 1
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    \1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-88, 109 
Stat. 803, which was enacted on December 29, 1995, and took effect 
on January 1, 1996, abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission 
(ICC) and transferred certain functions to the Surface 
Transportation Board (Board). This notice relates to functions that 
are subject to Board jurisdiction pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 14303.
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[STB No. MC-F-20900]


Antelope Valley Bus, Inc.--Control--Desert Stage Lines, Inc.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.

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SUMMARY: Antelope Valley Bus, Inc. (Antelope), has filed an application 
under 49 U.S.C. 14303 to acquire control of Desert Stage Lines, Inc. 
(Desert). Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the 
rules under 49 CFR part 1182, subpart B. The Board has tentatively 
approved the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are timely 
filed, this notice will be the final Board action.


[[Page 51490]]


DATES: Comments are due by November 18, 1996. Applicants may reply by 
December 3, 1996.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 18, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
Docket No. MC-F-20900 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of the 
Secretary, Case Control Branch, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20423. In addition, send one copy of comments to 
applicants' representative: Eldon M. Johnson, 825 Van Ness Avenue, 
Suite 601, San Francisco, CA 94109.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon, (202) 927-5660. [TDD for 
the hearing impaired: (202) 927-5721.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Antelope holds 48-State authority (MC-
125057) to transport passengers in special and charter 
operations.2 Desert holds authority (MC-140919 Sub 1) to transport 
passengers in charter or special operations, beginning and ending in 
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA, and extending to points in 
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
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    \2\ Antelope also controls Airport Bus of Bakersfield, Inc., an 
interstate motor common carrier of passengers. The acquisition of 
control was exempt from ICC approval because the combined revenues 
of the two carriers at the time was less than $2 million.
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    Applicants state that their aggregate gross operating revenues, for 
the 12-month period that ended on December 31, 1995, exceeded 
$2,000,000. They assert that the proposed transaction will preserve 
motor service because Antelope's financial resources are adequate to 
ensure that Desert will continue to operate when its owner retires. 
Additionally, they assert that the transaction's fixed charges will be 
nominal, that there will be no need to reduce service or increase 
rates, and that all of Desert's employees will be retained with 
increased pay and improved benefits.
    Applicants certify that: (1) both Antelope and Desert hold 
satisfactory safety ratings; (2) Antelope maintains sufficient 
liability insurance to meet the established fitness requirements and is 
neither domiciled in Mexico nor owned or controlled by persons of that 
country; and (3) approval of the transaction will not significantly 
affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation 
of energy resources. Additional information may be obtained from 
applicants' representative.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), we must approve and authorize a 
transaction we find consistent with the public interest, taking into 
consideration at least: (1) The effect of the transaction on the 
adequacy of transportation to the public; (2) the total fixed charges 
that result; and (3) the interest of affected carrier employees.
    We find, that the proposed acquisition of control is consistent 
with the public interest and that it should be authorized. If any 
opposing comments are timely filed, this finding will be deemed as 
having been vacated and a procedural schedule will be adopted to 
reconsider the application. If no opposing comments are filed by the 
expiration of the comment period, this decision will take effect 
automatically and will be the final Board action.
    This decision will not significantly affect either the quality of 
the human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
    It is ordered:
    1. The proposed acquisition of control is approved and authorized, 
subject to the filing of opposing comments.
    2. If timely opposing comments are filed, the findings made in this 
decision will be deemed as having been vacated.
    3. This decision will be effective on November 18, 1996, unless 
timely opposing comments are filed.

    Decided: September 23, 1996.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Simmons, and 
Commissioner Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-25212 Filed 10-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P