[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 56 (Friday, March 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15256-15257]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-5772]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. MC-F-21026]


Holland America Line Inc.--Control--Westours Motor Coaches, Inc., 
Evergreen Trails, Inc., Westmark Hotels of Canada, Ltd., Horizon Coach 
Lines, Ltd., and Discover Alaska Tours, Inc.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice Tentatively Approving Finance Transaction.

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SUMMARY: On February 21, 2008, Holland America Line Inc. (HAL), a 
noncarrier that controls four regulated motor passenger carriers, 
Westours Motor Coaches, Inc. (Westours), Evergreen Trails, Inc., d/b/a 
Gray Line of Seattle (Evergreen), Westmark Hotels of Canada, Ltd. 
(Westmark), and Horizon Coach Lines, Ltd. (Horizon),\1\ (collectively, 
applicants) filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 for acquisition 
of control by HAL of a new motor passenger carrier, Discover Alaska 
Tours, Inc. (DAT),\2\ and for continuance in control of Westours, 
Evergreen, Westmark, and Horizon. 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.
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    \1\ HAL's control of the 4 carriers was approved by the Board in 
Holland America Line--Westours, Inc.--Control--Westours Motor 
Coaches, Inc., Evergreen Trails, Inc., Westmark Hotels of Canada 
Ltd., and Horizon Coach Lines Ltd., STB Docket No. MC-F-20988 (STB 
served Feb. 22, 2002).
    \2\ DAT's application for motor passenger carrier authority in 
MC-636105 is pending.

DATES: Comments must be filed by May 5, 2008. Applicants may file a 
reply by May 20, 2008. If no comments are filed by May 5, 2008, this 
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notice is effective on that date.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
STB Docket No. MC-F-21026 to: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E. 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of 
comments to applicants' representative: Jeremy Kahn, 1730 Rhode Island 
Ave., NW., Suite 810, Washington, DC 20036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph H. Dettmar, (202) 245-0395 
[Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: 1-
800-877-8339].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: HAL currently controls four regulated motor

[[Page 15257]]

passenger carriers, Westours (MC-118832), Evergreen (MC-107638), 
Westmark (MC-405618), and Horizon (MC-144339). Under the proposed 
transaction, HAL is seeking to acquire control of another motor 
passenger carrier, DAT, and to continue in control of the above four 
carriers. Applicants state that the annual aggregate gross operating 
revenues of the four carriers already controlled by HAL exceed the $2 
million jurisdictional threshold of 49 U.S.C. 14303(g).
    HAL states that it has decades of experience in operating tour-
based services throughout the Pacific Northwest and has created DAT as 
a new entity to more effectively provide charter bus service in the 
southeast Alaska tour market, which has specialized service 
characteristics.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), the Board 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 information, as required by 49 CFR 
1182.2(a)(7), to demonstrate that the proposed acquisition of control 
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 carriers involved will remain unchanged, that 
there are no fixed charges associated with the proposed transaction, 
and that no carrier employees will be adversely affected by the 
transaction. 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 
applicants' representative.
    On the basis of the application, we find that the proposed 
acquisition of control 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 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 as having been vacated.
    3. This notice will be effective on May 5, 2008, 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, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590; (2) the U.S. Department 
of Justice, Antitrust Division, 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20530; and (3) the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Office of the General Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, 
DC 20590.

    Decided: March 17, 2008.

    By the Board, Chairman Nottingham, Vice Chairman Mulvey, and 
Commissioner Buttrey.
Anne K. Quinlan,
Acting Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-5772 Filed 3-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P