[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 1, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31558-31559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-10727]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. MC-F-21012] \1\


CUSA CSS, LLC d/b/a Crew Shuttle Services--Acquisition of Assets 
and Business Operations--Crew Shuttle Service, Inc.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.

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SUMMARY: CUSA CSS, LLC d/b/a Crew Shuttle Services (CUSA CSS or 
Applicant), a federally regulated motor carrier (MC-522544), has filed 
an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 to purchase the assets and 
business operations of Crew Shuttle Service, Inc. (Crew or Seller). 
Persons wishing to oppose this 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.
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    \1\ A request for interim approval under 49 U.S.C. 14303(i) was 
included in this filing (STB Docket No. MC-F-21012 TA). Temporary 
approval was granted by decision served on May 16, 2005, which 
approval became effective on that date.

DATES: Comments must be filed by July 18, 2005. Applicant may file a 
reply by August 1, 2005. If no comments are filed by July 18, 2005, 
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this notice is effective on that date.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
STB Docket No. MC-F-21012 to: Surface Transportation Board, 1925 K 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of 
comments to Applicant's representative: Stephen Flott, Flott & Co. PC, 
PO Box 17655, Arlington, VA 22216-7655.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph H. Dettmar, (202) 565-1600.

[[Page 31559]]

[Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: 1-
800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CUSA CSS is a new company wholly owned and 
created by CUSA, LLC (CUSA) to undertake this transaction. CUSA is a 
noncarrier which owns 19 federally regulated and non-federally 
regulated motor carriers. CUSA is, in turn, wholly owned by noncarrier 
KBUS Holdings, LLC (KBUS), which acquired the assets and business 
operations of the federally regulated motor carriers formerly owned by 
Coach USA, Inc., and then consolidated those assets/operations into the 
motor passenger carriers now controlled by CUSA.\2\ These carriers have 
more than 3,700 employees and operate approximately 1,100 motor coaches 
and over 700 other revenue vehicles in 35 states. Annual revenues for 
the companies controlled by CUSA exceeded $220 million for 2004. 
According to Applicant, the experienced senior management team that 
CUSA now has in place has identified the acquisition of Crew as a 
strategic way to expand its contract passenger business in the Pacific 
Northwest.
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    \2\ See KBUS Holdings, LLC--Acquisition of Assets and Business 
Operations--All West Coachlines, Inc., et al., STB Docket No. MC-F-
21000 (STB served July 23, 2003).
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    Crew is a motor passenger contract carrier that has served 
businesses, principally in the railroad industry, for many years in the 
Pacific Northwest pursuant to federal operating authority granted in 
Docket No. MC-264436. Applicant has entered into an agreement with 
Seller and its shareholders to buy Seller's assets, including vehicles 
and business operations.
    CUSA CSS has 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). Applicant 
states that the proposed acquisition will not adversely impact fixed 
charges or adversely impact the interests of employees of companies 
whose assets and businesses are being acquired. It asserts that 
granting the application will allow CUSA CSS to take advantage of 
economies of scale and substantial benefits offered by CUSA's 
centralized management system, including interest cost savings and 
reduced operating costs. In addition, applicant has 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 Applicant's representative.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), the Board must approve and authorize a 
transaction found to be 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 and business operations 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 notice will take effect automatically and will be the final Board 
action.
    Board decisions and notices are available on our Web site at http://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 finance transaction (acquisition of assets and 
business operations) is approved and authorized, subject to the filing 
of opposing comments.
    2. If timely opposing comments are filed, the findings made in this 
notice will be deemed vacated.
    3. This notice will be effective on July 18, 2005, 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, 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 20, 2005.

    By the Board, Chairman Nober, Vice Chairman Buttrey, 
Commissioner Mulvey.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05-10727 Filed 5-31-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P