[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 14 (Friday, January 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3530-3531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1585]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. MC-F-20960]


Stagecoach Holdings PLC and Coach USA, Inc., et al.,-- Control-- 
American Coach Lines, Inc.

AGENCY:  Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION:  Notice Tentatively Approving Finance Transaction.

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SUMMARY:  Stagecoach Holdings PLC (Stagecoach) and its subsidiary, 
Coach USA, Inc. (Coach), noncarriers, and various subsidiaries of each 
(collectively, applicants), filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 
to acquire control of American Coach Lines, Inc. (ACL), a motor 
passenger carrier. Persons wishing to oppose this application must 
follow the rules under 49 CFR part 1182.5 and 1182.8. The Board has 
tentatively approved the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are 
timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.

DATES:  Comments must be filed by March 6, 2000. Applicants may file a 
reply by March 21, 2000. If no comments are filed by March 6, 2000, 
this notice is effective on that date.

ADDRESSES:  Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
STB Docket No. MC-F-20960 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of 
the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 
20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of any comments to applicant's 
representative: Betty Jo Christian, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, 1330 
Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Joseph H. Dettmar (202) 565-1600. 
[TDD for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  Stagecoach is a public limited corporation 
organized under the laws of Scotland. With operations in eight 
countries, Stagecoach is one of the world's largest providers of 
passenger transportation services. Stagecoach had annual revenues for 
the fiscal year ending April 30, 1999, of $2.475 billion. Coach is a 
Delaware corporation that currently controls 83 motor passenger 
carriers.
    Stagecoach and its subsidiaries currently control Coach \1\, its 
noncarrier regional management subsidiaries, and the motor passenger 
carriers jointly controlled by Coach and the management 
subsidiaries.\2\ In previous Board decisions, Coach management 
subsidiaries, including Coach USA Southeast, Inc., have obtained 
authority to control motor passenger carriers jointly with Coach.\3\
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    \1\ Stagecoach controls Coach through various subsidiaries, 
namely, SUS 1 Limited, SUS 2 Limited, Stagecoach General 
Partnership, and SCH US Holdings Corp.
    \2\ See Stagecoach Holdings PLC--Control--Coach USA, Inc., et 
al., STB Docket No. MC-F-20948 (STB served July 22, 1999).
    \3\ See Coach USA, Inc. and Coach USA North Central, Inc.--
Control--Nine Motor Carriers of Passengers, STB Docket No. MC-F-
20931, et al. (STB served July 14, 1999).
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    Applicants state that Coach purchased all of the outstanding stock 
of ACL in November 1999 and simultaneously placed that stock into an 
independent voting trust.\4\
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    \4\ ACL is a Georgia corporation. It holds federally-issued 
operating authority in Docket No. MC-141589, authorizing it to 
provide charter and special services between points in the United 
States, as well as various regular route services between the 
Atlanta area and points in Georgia, North Carolina and Alabama. ACL 
operates a fleet of approximately 70 buses and employs approximately 
120 persons. Its revenues for the 12-month period ending September 
30, 1999, were approximately $8.8 million.
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    According to applicants, the transaction did not involve any 
transfer of the federal or state operating authorities held by ACL and 
will not entail any change in that carrier's operations.
    Applicants have submitted information, as required by 49 CFR 
1182.2(a)(7), to demonstrate that the proposed acquisition of control 
is consistent with the public interest under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b) 
Applicants state that the proposed transaction will not reduce 
competitive options, adversely impact fixed charges, or adversely 
impact the interests of the employees of ACL. In addition, applicants 
have submitted all of the other statements and certifications required 
by 49 CFR 1182.2. Additional information, including a copy of the 
application, may be obtained from the 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.

[[Page 3531]]

    On the basis of the application, we find that the proposed 
acquisition of control is consistent with the public interest and 
should be authorized. If any opposing comments are timely filed, this 
finding will be deemed vacated and, unless a final decision can be made 
on the record as developed, a procedural schedule will be adopted to 
reconsider the application. See 49 CFR 1182.6(c). 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.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our website at 
WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''
    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 March 6, 2000, unless timely 
opposing comments are filed.
    4. A copy of this notice will be served on: (1) the U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Office of Motor Carrier Safety `` HMCE-20, 400 
Virginia Avenue, SW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024; (2) the U.S. 
Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, 10th Street & Pennsylvania 
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530; and (3) the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Office of the General Counsel, 400 7th Street, SW, 
Washington, DC 20590.

    Decided: January 14, 2000.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Burkes and 
Commissioner Clyburn.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-1585 Filed 1-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-00-P