[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 100 (Friday, May 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28531-28532]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13634]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Finance Docket No. 33393]


Coach USA, Inc.--Control Exemption--America Charters, Ltd.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of filing of petition for exemption.

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SUMMARY: Coach USA, Inc. (Coach), a noncarrier that controls 27 motor 
passenger carriers, seeks an exemption, under 49 U.S.C. 13541, from the 
prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 14303(a)(5), to acquire 
control of America Charters, Ltd. (America Charters), a motor passenger 
carrier.

DATES: Comments must be filed by June 23, 1997. Petitioner may file a 
reply by July 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of comments referring to STB 
Finance Docket No. 33393 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of 
the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 
20423-

[[Page 28532]]

 0001. Also, send one copy of comments to petitioner's representatives: 
Betty Jo Christian and David H. Coburn, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, 1330 
Connecticut Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon, (202) 565-1600. [TDD for 
the hearing impaired: (202) 565-1695.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coach seeks an exemption to acquire stock 
control over America Charters (MC-153814), a motor passenger carrier 
that operates in interstate and intrastate commerce.1 Coach 
states that America Charters, which provides exclusively charter and 
special bus services, has a relatively small market share in the 
markets in which it operates.
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    \1\ The stock of America Charters was placed in an independent 
voting trust to avoid any unlawful control pending disposition of 
this proceeding.
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    Coach currently controls 27 motor passenger carriers.2 
Coach states that America Charters does not compete with any of the bus 
companies controlled by Coach and, therefore, that its acquisition of 
control of America Charters will have no significant impact on 
competition.
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    \2\ In Notre Capital Ventures II, LLC and Coach USA, Inc.--
Control Exemption--Arrow Stage Lines, Inc.; Cape Transit Corp.; 
Community Coach, Inc.; Community Transit Lines, Inc.; Grosvenor Bus 
Lines, Inc.; H.A.M.L. Corp.; Leisure Time Tours; Suburban Management 
Corp.; Suburban Trails, Inc.; and Suburban Transit Corp., STB 
Finance Docket No. 32876 (Sub-No. 1) (STB served May 3, 1996), Coach 
was exempted from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 
14303(a)(4) to acquire control of Arrow Stage Lines, Inc. (MC-
29592), Cape Transit Corp. (MC-161678), Community Coach, Inc. (MC-
76022), Community Transit Lines, Inc. (MC-145548), Grosvenor Bus 
Lines, Inc. (MC-157317), H.A.M.L. Corp. (MC-194792), Leisure Time 
Tours (MC-142011), Surburban Management Corp. (MC-264527), Surburban 
Trails, Inc. (MC-149081), and Surburban Transit Corp. (MC-115116).
    In Coach USA, Inc.--Control Exemption--American Sightseeing 
Tours, Inc.; California Charters, Inc.; Texas Bus Lines, Inc.; Gulf 
Coast Transportation, Inc.; and K-T Contract Services, Inc., STB 
Finance Docket No. 33073 (STB served Nov. 8, 1996), Coach was 
exempted from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 
14303(a)(5) to acquire control of American Sightseeing Tours, Inc., 
d/b/a ASTI (MC-252353), California Charters, Inc. (MC-241211), Texas 
Bus Lines, Inc. (MC-37640), Gulf Coast Transportation, Inc., d/b/a 
Gray Line Tours of Houston (MC-201397), and K-T Contract Services, 
Inc. (MC-218583).
    In Coach USA, Inc.--Control Exemption--Progressive 
Transportation, Inc.; Powder River Transportation Services, Inc.; 
Worthen Van Service, Inc.; and PCSTC, Inc., STB Finance Docket No. 
33343 (STB served May 15, 1997), Coach was exempted from the prior 
approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 14303(a)(5) to acquire control of 
Progressive Transportation Services, Inc. (MC-247074), Powder River 
Transportation Services, Inc. (MC-161531), Worthen Van Service, Inc. 
(MC-142573), and PCSTC, Inc., d/b/a Pacific Coast Sightseeing/Gray 
Line of Anaheim-Los Angeles (MC-184852).
    In Coach USA, Inc.--Control Exemption--Airport Bus of 
Bakersfield; Antelope Valley Bus, Inc.; Desert Stage Lines, Inc.; 
Bayou City Coaches, Inc.; Kerrville Bus Company, Inc.; Red & Tan 
Charter, Inc.; Red & Tan Tours, Inc.; and Rockland Coaches, Inc., 
STB Finance Docket No. 33377 (STB served May 15, 1977), Coach was 
exempted from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 
14303(a)(5) to acquire control of Airport Bus of Bakersfield (MC-
163191), Antelope Valley Bus, Inc. (MC-125057), Desert Stage Lines, 
Inc. (MC-140919), Bayou City Coaches, Inc. (MC-245246), Kerrville 
Bus Company, Inc. (MC-27530), Red & Tan Charter, Inc. (MC-204842), 
Red and Tan Tours (MC-162174), and Rockland Coaches, Inc. (MC-
29890).
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    Following the acquisition of control, America Charters will 
continue to operate under its own name and in the same basic manner as 
before. Coach states that it will provide certain services to America 
Charters, including legal and accounting functions and coordinated 
purchasing services. In addition, Coach states that it will facilitate 
vehicle sharing arrangements and provide coordinated driver training 
services. Coach projects the annual efficiency savings generated by the 
proposed acquisition of control of America Charters to be $125,000, 
representing primarily interest, insurance and vehicle equipment cost 
savings. Over the long term, Coach states that it will provide 
centralized marketing and reservation services for the bus firms that 
it controls, thereby further enhancing the benefits resulting from the 
transaction. Coach submits that all collective bargaining agreements 
will be honored, that employee benefits will improve, and that no 
change in management personnel is planned. Additional information may 
be obtained from petitioner's representatives.
    A copy of this notice will be served on the Department of Justice, 
Antitrust Division, 10th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20530.

    Decided: May 15, 1997.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan and Vice Chairman Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary
[FR Doc. 97-13634 Filed 5-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P