[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 16, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53991-53992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26333]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB No. MC-F-20901]


Greyhound Lines, Inc.--Continuance in Control--Grupo Centro, Inc.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.

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SUMMARY: Greyhound Lines, Inc. of Dallas, TX (GLI), has filed an 
application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 to continue in control of its wholly 
owned subsidiary, Grupo Centro, Inc. (Grupo) upon Grupo's becoming a 
motor carrier of passengers. Persons wishing to oppose the application 
must follow the rules under 49 CFR part 1182, subpart

[[Page 53992]]

B. The Board has tentatively approved the transaction, and, if no 
opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board 
action.

DATES: This notice is effective November 30, 1996. Comments are due by 
November 30, 1996. Applicants may reply by December 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
STB No. MC-F-20901 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of the 
Secretary, Case Control Branch, 1201 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20423. In addition, send one copy of comments to 
applicants' representative: Fritz R. Kahn, Suite 750 West, 1100 New 
York Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20005.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GLI holds nationwide operating authority in 
MC-1515 and sub-numbers as a motor common carrier of passengers. GLI 
also controls the following regional interstate motor carriers of 
passengers: Texas, New Mexico & Oklahoma Coaches, Inc.; Continental 
Panhandle Lines, Inc.; and Vermont Transit, Inc.
    Grupo has filed an application with the Federal Highway 
Administration to operate as a motor carrier of passengers over routes 
between the Mexican border crossing points of San Ysidro and Calexico, 
CA; Nogales, AZ; and El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Brownsville, TX and 
points elsewhere in the country, including, Bellingham, WA; Denver, CO; 
Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; and Miami, FL.
    Grupo is a wholly owned subsidiary of GLI, indirectly controlled 
through GLI's noncarrier subsidiary, Sistema International de 
Transporte de Autobuses, Inc. This application will enable GLI to 
continue in control of Grupo when it becomes an authorized motor 
carrier of passengers.
    Applicants state that aggregate gross operating revenues for GLI 
and its affiliates have exceeded $2 million during the 12 months 
preceding the application. They assert that Grupo was organized to 
render specialized services designed to accommodate the travel 
requirements of Hispanic passengers traveling between points of entry 
along the United States/Mexican border and points in the United States 
with significant Hispanic populations. Allegedly, Grupo's entry into 
the market will stimulate competition and improve the quality and 
adequacy of passenger services available to Hispanic passengers. 
Additionally, applicants maintain that the transaction will result in 
no increase in fixed charges, and that no employees will be adversely 
affected.
    Applicants certify that: (1) GLI and its affiliates hold 
satisfactory safety ratings, and Grupo is not as yet rated; (2) GLI 
maintains and Grupo will procure and maintain sufficient liability 
insurance to meet the established fitness requirements; (3) neither GLI 
nor Grupo is domiciled in Mexico, and neither is owned or controlled by 
a citizen of that country; and (4) 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.
    On the basis of the application filed by applicants, we find that 
the proposed continuance in control is consistent with the public 
interest and 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 action will not significantly affect either the quality of the 
human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
    It is ordered:
    1. This proposed continuance in 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 November 30, 1996, unless timely 
opposing comments are filed.

    Decided: October 7, 1996.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Simmons, and 
Commissioner Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-26333 Filed 10-15-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P