[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 68 (Friday, April 7, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18426-18427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-8664]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

STB Docket No. MC-F-20964


Laidlaw Inc.--Continuance in Control--the Gray Line of Victoria 
Ltd.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.

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SUMMARY: In an application filed under 49 U.S.C. 14303, Laidlaw Inc. 
(Laidlaw), a noncarrier, seeks approval of its continuance in control 
of The Gray Line of Victoria Ltd. (Gray Line) upon Gray Line's becoming 
a regulated motor carrier of passengers. Persons wishing to oppose the 
application must follow the rules under 49 CFR 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 May 22, 2000. Applicant may file a 
reply by June 6, 2000. If no comments are filed by May 22, 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-20964 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 comments to applicant's 
representative: Fritz R. Kahn, Suite 750 West, 1100 New York Avenue, 
NW, Washington, DC 20005-3934.

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

[[Page 18427]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Laidlaw controls Gray Line through Laidlaw 
Transit Ltd. (Laidlaw Ltd.), which is authorized to transport 
passengers, in charter and special operations, pursuant to authority in 
No. MC-102189. Gray Line conducts charter and special passenger carrier 
operations within Canada. Laidlaw seeks authority to continue in 
control of Gray Line through Laidlaw Ltd. upon Gray Line's becoming a 
regulated carrier pursuant to an application it has filed with the 
Federal Highway Administration.
    Laidlaw currently controls 23 motor carriers of passengers, 
including Greyhound Lines, Inc. (Greyhound) (MC-1515), which Laidlaw 
considers its domestic flagship carrier.\1\ The controlled carrier's 
operations, with the exception of those of Greyhound, are largely 
limited to charter and special operations within the United States. 
Greyhound conducts mainly nationwide, scheduled regular-route 
operations.
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    \1\ Greyhound controls 9 of the 23 carriers.
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    Laidlaw asserts that, because Gray Line is an experienced and well 
regarded carrier that has established contacts with hotels, tourist 
attractions, and other institutions, the addition of Gray Line to the 
Laidlaw family of regulated carriers will contribute significantly to 
the breadth of services that Greyhound and the other Laidlaw affiliates 
will be able to provide the public. Laidlaw maintains also that the 
proposed transaction will inure to the benefit of Gray Line's 
passengers. This benefit is expected to partly take the form of 
reasonable fares, in view of the access to the financial resources and 
expertise of the Laidlaw system that Gray Line will have following the 
transaction.
    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.
    Applicant has submitted the information required by 49 CFR 1182.2, 
including information to demonstrate that the proposed transaction is 
consistent with the public interest under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b). 
Specifically, applicant has shown that the proposed transaction will 
have a positive effect on the adequacy of transportation to the public 
and will result in no increase in fixed charges and no changes in 
employment. See 49 CFR 1182.2(a)(7). Additional information may be 
obtained from applicant's representative.
    On the basis of the application, we find that the proposed 
transaction 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 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 on May 22, 2000, unless timely 
opposing comments are filed.
    4. A copy of this notice will be served on: (1) The U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration--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: April 3, 2000.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Burkes, and 
Commissioner Clyburn.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-8664 Filed 4-6-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P