[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 94 (Friday, May 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26934-26935]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10971]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. MC-F-21006]


Stagecoach Group PLC and Coach USA, Inc., et al.--Acquisition and 
Consolidation of Assets--Rockford Coach Lines, L.L.C.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.

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SUMMARY: Stagecoach Group, PLC (Stagecoach), a noncarrier, and its 
noncarrier intermediate subsidiaries, SCUSI Limited, Coach 
Administration, Inc., and Coach USA, Inc. (Coach USA), and Sam Van 
Galder, Inc. (Van Galder), a motor passenger carrier (MC-112422) 
controlled by Coach USA (collectively, applicants), have filed an 
application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 for acquisition and operation of 
certain assets of Rockford Coach Lines, L.L.C. (Rockford), a motor 
passenger carrier (MC-66810) and subsidiary of Greyhound Lines, Inc. 
(Greyhound). The transaction was approved on an interim basis under 49 
U.S.C. 14303(i), and the Board is now tentatively granting permanent 
approval. Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the 
rules under 49 CFR 1182.5 and 1182.8. If no opposing comments are 
timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.

DATES: Comments are due June 28, 2004. Applicants may reply by July 13, 
2004. If no comments are received by June 28, 2004, this notice is 
effective on that date.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
STB Docket No. MC-F-21006 to: Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of 
comments to applicants' representative: Betty Jo Christian, Steptoe & 
Johnson, LLP, 1330 Connecticut Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon (202) 565-1600. [Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-
8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Stagecoach, headquartered in Scotland, is 
one of the world's largest providers of passenger transportation 
services. It operates in several countries, including the United 
States, through a series of operating divisions. One such operating 
division, Coach USA, is a Delaware corporation that currently controls 
numerous passenger carriers, including Van Galder, one of the subjects 
of this transaction.
    Under the proposed transaction, applicants seek permission to 
acquire certain assets of Rockford, including Rockford's name, 
trademarks, service marks, telephone numbers, customer lists, sales 
records, charter contracts, an airport ticket booth and the federally 
issued interstate operating authorities of Rockford, as well as a 
variety of other assets. The Board recently granted interim approval in 
Stagecoach Group PLC and Coach USA, Inc., et al.--Acquisition and 
Consolidation of Assets--Rockford Coach Lines, L.C.C., STB Docket No. 
MC-F-21006 TA (STB served Apr. 29, 2004). Rockford currently operates 
19 motorcoaches, and provides regular route service between Rockford, 
IL, and O'Hare International Airport, charter and tour service in the 
Northern Illinois area, and charter operations between points in the 
Northern Illinois area and points in the United States. According to 
applicants, Rockford has been losing substantial sums of money in its 
operations and Greyhound, Rockford's parent, can no longer afford to 
absorb those losses. As a result, Rockford will cease operations in 
early May. However, applicants state that there will be a seamless 
continuation of services previously provided by Rockford through Van 
Galder.
    Applicants have submitted information, as required by 49 CFR 
1182.2(a)(7), to demonstrate that the proposed transaction is 
consistent with the public interest under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b). 
Applicants state that the proposed transaction will have no impact on 
the adequacy of transportation services available to the public, that 
the operations of the carrier involved will remain unchanged, that 
fixed charges associated with the proposed transaction will not be 
adversely impacted. Although, applicants may offer employment to some, 
all or none of the Rockford employees, applicants anticipate that in 
the absence of this transaction Rockford will cease operations with the 
loss of employment for all employees. 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, the Board must approve and authorize a 
transaction it finds 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.
    On the basis of the application, the Board finds that the proposed 
acquisition of assets 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 the Board's Web site 
at www.stb.dot.gov.
    This decision will not significantly affect either the quality of 
the human

[[Page 26935]]

environment or the conservation of energy resources.
    It is ordered:
    1. The proposed acquisition and operation of certain assets of 
Rockford by applicants 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 June 28, 2004, unless timely 
opposing comments are filed.
    4. A copy of this decision will be served on: (1) U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 400 7th 
Street, SW., Room 8214, Washington, DC 20590; (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 10, 2004.

    By the Board, Chairman Nober.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 04-10971 Filed 5-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P