[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 83 (Friday, April 28, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25037-25038]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-10526]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. MC-F-20966]


Global Passenger Services, L.L.C., et al.--Control--Davis Bus 
Lines, Inc., et al.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

[[Page 25038]]


ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.

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SUMMARY: Global Passenger Services, L.L.C. (Global), Student 
Transportation of America, Inc. (STA), and Travelways, Inc. 
(Travelways) (collectively, applicants), noncarriers, filed an 
application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 for Global to acquire indirect 
control and STA to acquire direct control of one motor passenger 
carrier, Davis Bus Lines, Inc. (Davis), and for Global to acquire 
indirect control and Travelways to acquire direct control of two motor 
passenger carriers, VIP Tours & Charters Sightseeing Corporation (VIP) 
and Coach America Corporation (CAC). Persons wishing to oppose the 
application must follow the rules at 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 June 12, 2000. Applicants may file a 
reply by June 27, 2000. If no comments are filed by June 12, 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-20966 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of 
the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W., Washington, DC 
20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of comments to applicants' 
representative: Mark J. Andrews, Barnes & Thornburg, 1401 Eye Street, 
N.W., Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Global, a Delaware limited liability 
company, indirectly controls 16 motor passenger carriers and holds 
majority stock interest in STA and Travelways.\1\ The direct control of 
the 16 motor passenger carriers is divided between STA and Travelways, 
both Delaware corporations. STA controls the Global affiliates that 
provide primarily school bus service and Travelways controls the 
affiliates that provide primarily leisure transportation and intercity 
airport shuttle services, which is not involved here. Davis \2\ will be 
added to the STA-controlled affiliates and VIP \3\ and CAC \4\ will be 
added to the Travelways-controlled affiliates. According to applicants, 
the acquisition of control of these three additional motor passenger 
carriers will permit a modest expansion of Global's service and client 
base in two markets that it already serves--school bus transportation 
in Pennsylvania and leisure transportation in southern California--
without reducing competition in either market.
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    \1\ See Global Passenger Services, L.L.C., et al.--Control--
Gongaware Tours, Inc., et al., STB Docket No. MC-F-20954 (STB served 
Sept. 16, 1999, corrected decision served Sept. 20, 1999); and 
Global Passenger Services, L.L.C.--Control--Bortner Bus Company, et 
al., STB Docket No. MC-F-20924 (STB served July 17, 1998).
    \2\ Davis is a Pennsylvania corporation holding federally issued 
operating authority in MC-233595 to provide charter and special 
operations between points in the United States. It conducts limited 
charter and tour services which are incidental to its school 
transportation operation based in Pennsylvania, and which extend 
only to points in immediately adjacent States.
    \3\ VIP is a Delaware corporation holding federally issued 
operating authority in MC-277612 to provide charter and special 
operations and contract carrier services between points in the 
United States. The actual operations of VIP and its predecessor 
company involve primarily vacation charters and organized tours 
beginning and ending in southern California and extending to points 
in California and immediately adjacent States.
    \4\ CAC is a Delaware corporation holding federally issued 
operating authority in MC-330527 to provide charter and special 
operations between points in the United States. The operations of 
CAC and its predecessor company historically have resembled those of 
VIP.
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    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.
    Applicants have 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, applicants have 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, including a copy of the application, may be 
obtained from applicants' 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 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 vacated.
    3. This decision will be effective on June 12, 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, S.W., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024; (2) the 
U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, 10th Street & 
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20530; and (3) the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Office of the General Counsel, 400 7th 
Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590.

    Decided: April 20, 2000.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Burkes, and 
Commissioner Clyburn.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-10526 Filed 4-27-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P