[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23756-23757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-11526]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. MC-F-20981]


Laidlaw Inc.--Continuance in Control--Victoria Tours Limited

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, Transportation.

ACTION: Notice Tentatively Approving Finance Transaction.

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SUMMARY: Laidlaw Inc. (Laidlaw), a noncarrier, filed an application 
under 49 U.S.C. 14303 for Laidlaw to continue in indirect control of 
Victoria Tours Limited (Victoria), upon Victoria's becoming a regulated 
motor passenger carrier. 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 25, 2001. Applicant may file a 
reply by July 9, 2001. If no comments are filed by June 25, 2001, this 
notice is effective on that date.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
STB Docket No. MC-F-20981 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, 1920 N Street, NW. (8th floor), 
Washington, DC 20036-1601.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Laidlaw controls, either directly or 
indirectly, a family of motor passenger carriers, including Greyhound 
Lines, Inc. (Greyhound) (MC-1515). With the exception of Greyhound, 
which conducts mainly nationwide, scheduled, regular-route operations, 
the controlled carriers are engaged

[[Page 23757]]

primarily in charter and special operations.
    Laidlaw indirectly controls Victoria through Laidlaw Transit Ltd. 
(Laidlaw Ltd.), which is authorized to transport passengers, in charter 
and special operations, pursuant to authority in MC-102189. Victoria 
conducts charter and special passenger carrier operations within 
Canada, and it has filed an application with the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, for 
authority to conduct similar operations within the United States. 
Laidlaw seeks authority from the Board to continue in indirect control 
of Victoria, through Laidlaw Ltd., upon Victoria's becoming a regulated 
U.S. carrier.
    Laidlaw asserts that Victoria will be able to offer its passengers 
tour and sightseeing services over an expanded area. The affiliation of 
Victoria with the Laidlaw family of regulated carriers will ensure that 
Victoria will have an adequate number of buses to meet the travel needs 
of its passengers. Conversely, whenever its buses are underutilized, 
Victoria will be able to make them available to its Laidlaw affiliates. 
Laidlaw maintains that such arrangements will improve the performance 
of Victoria, which will inure to the benefit of the public.
    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 stated 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 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 vacated.
    3. This decision will be effective on June 25, 2001, 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--MC-RI, 
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: May 2, 2001.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Clyburn, and 
Commissioner Burkes.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-11526 Filed 5-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-M