[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 16, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52645-52646]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25938]


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POSTAL RATE COMMISSION

[Order No. 1326; Docket No. MC2001-3]


Ride-Along Experiment Extension

AGENCY: Postal Rate Commission.

ACTION: Notice and order on extension of ride-along experiment.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service seeks a limited extension of the ride-along 
experiment, which allows qualifying Standard mail to travel for a flat 
fee when included in a host Periodicals publication. This would allow 
the experiment to continue without disruption while permanent ride-
along status is considered in the pending omnibus rate case. The 
Commission invites public participation, makes several procedural 
rulings, and notes the possibility that this case may be quickly 
settled.

DATES: Notices of intervention and answers to a motion for waiver of 
certain filing rules are due on or before October 19, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send correspondence to the attention of Steven W. Williams, 
acting secretary, Postal Rate Commission, 1333 H Street NW., suite 300, 
Washington, DC 20268-0001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Authority To Consider the Service's Request

    39 U.S.C. 3623.

B. Procedural History

    1. A notice and order (No. 1308) concerning the underlying 
experimental docket (No. MC2000-1) appeared at 66 FR 15775.
    2. This notice and order (No. 1326) was issued October 5, 2001.

C. Background

    On September 28, 2001, the U.S. Postal Service filed a request with 
the Postal Rate Commission for an extension of the ride-along 
experiment, which is now underway pursuant to docket no. MC2000-1. The 
experiment allows one qualifying Standard mail piece to ``ride along'' 
with a host Periodicals publication for a flat fee of 10 cents.
    Without the extension, the experiment would expire on February 26, 
2002, while the Service's request for permanent ride-along status (and 
a flat fee of 12.4 cents) is pending as part of the recently-filed 
omnibus rate and classification case (docket no. R2001-1). To address 
this situation, the Service proposes changing the expiration date to 
coincide with implementation of related rate schedules (or Periodicals 
rates generally) resulting from the omnibus case decision. Request of 
the United States Postal Service for a recommended decision on 
extension of the experimental ride-along classification for 
Periodicals, September 28, 2001 (request). The request was filed 
pursuant to chapter 36 of the Postal Reorganization Act, 39 U.S.C. 3602 
et seq. It affects domestic mail classification schedule (DMCS) section 
443.1a and rate schedules 421 (footnote 12) and 423 (footnote 5).
    In support of its request, the Service has filed the prepared 
direct testimony of witness Koroma (USPS-T-1). Request, attachment A. 
This testimony incorporates by reference witness Koroma's testimony 
(USPS-T-44) in the omnibus case. The Service also has filed a motion 
seeking waiver (to the extent applicable) of Commission rules 54 and 
64; a proposed stipulation and agreement; and a related notice. Motion 
of the United States for waiver of rules, September 28, 2001; 
Stipulation and Agreement, September 28, 2001; Notice of United States 
Postal Service filing of proposed stipulation and agreement, September 
28, 2001 (notice).
    Potential for expedition, including settlement. The Service's 
notice indicates that the limited nature of the proposed change lends 
itself to exploration of the possibility of settlement, and states that 
it has filed the stipulation and agreement to encourage parties to 
consider expeditious resolution. It further suggests that parties 
contact Postal Service counsel with questions or with signature pages 
for the stipulation and agreement. Notice at 1. Similarly, the 
Service's request indicates that it does not expect this proposal to be 
controversial; cites the interest of

[[Page 52646]]

mailers and advertisers in making related business decisions prior to 
the current cutoff date; and notes that it has begun contacting 
participants in the underlying experimental case regarding settlement. 
Request at 2.
    Proceedings; authorization of settlement negotiations. The 
Commission hereby establishes docket no. MC2001-3, ride-along 
experiment extension, for consideration of the Service's proposed 
change in the previously-approved expiration date. The Commission 
authorizes settlement proceedings in this case, appoints the Postal 
Service as settlement coordinator, and forgoes setting a prehearing 
conference date in recognition that a prompt settlement may be 
possible.
    Intervention. Those wishing to be heard in this matter are directed 
to file a written notice of intervention with Steven W. Williams, 
acting secretary of the Commission, 1333 H Street NW., suite 300, 
Washington, DC 20268-0001, on or before October 19, 2001. Notices 
should indicate whether the intervenor requests a hearing or 
conference, and to the extent possible, the position of the intervenor 
with regard to the Postal Service request. See rule 20(b), 39 CFR 
3001.20(b). In the absence of a specific request, evidentiary hearings 
may not be held.
    Representation of the general public. In conformance with 
Sec. 3624(a) of title 39, the Commission designates Shelley S. 
Dreifuss, acting director of the Commission's office of the consumer 
advocate (OCA), to represent the interests of the general public in 
this proceeding. Pursuant to this designation, Ms. Dreifuss will direct 
the activities of Commission personnel assigned to assist her and, upon 
request, will supply their names for the record. Neither Ms. Dreifuss 
nor any of the assigned personnel will participate in or provide advice 
on any Commission decision in this proceeding. The OCA shall be 
separately served with three copies of all filings, in addition to and 
at the same time as, service on the Commission of the 24 copies 
required by Commission rule 10(d).

D. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes docket no. MC2001-3, ride-along 
experiment extension, to consider the request referred to in the body 
of this order.
    2. Notices of intervention shall be filed no later than October 19, 
2001.
    3. Answers to the motion of the United States for waiver of rules 
are due no later than October 19, 2001.
    4. The Postal Service is authorized to act as settlement 
coordinator in this proceeding.
    5. The acting secretary shall arrange for publication of this 
notice and order in the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Steven W. Williams,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-25938 Filed 10-15-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P