[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76711-76712]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-30092]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[Docket No. MCF 21057]


Royal City Charter Coach Lines Ltd.--Acquisition of Control--
Quick Coach Lines Ltd. d/b/a Quick Shuttle Service

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT.

ACTION: Notice Tentatively Authorizing Finance Transaction.

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SUMMARY: On November 18, 2013, Royal City Charter Coach Lines Ltd. 
(Royal, or Applicant) filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 for 
approval of its acquisition of control of Quick Coach Lines Ltd. d/b/a 
Quick Shuttle Service (Quick). The Board is tentatively approving and 
authorizing the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are timely 
filed, this notice will be the final Board action. Persons wishing to 
oppose the application must follow the rules at 49 CFR 1182.5 and 
1182.8.

DATES: Comments must be filed by February 3, 2014. Applicants may file 
a reply by February 18, 2014. If no comments are filed by February 3, 
2014, this notice shall be effective on February 4, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
Docket No. MCF 21057 to: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, send copies of comments to 
Applicant's representative: Stephen Flott, Flott & Co. PC, P.O. Box 
17655, Arlington, VA 22216-7655.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathon Binet, (202) 245-0368. 
Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) for the hearing impaired: 1-
800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Applicant is a noncarrier holding company 
based in British Columbia, Canada. Applicant states that it currently 
controls a group of companies operating approximately 85 motor coaches, 
primarily in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada, and in Washington 
State, and employing approximately 160 people. In 2012, these companies 
generated more than $17 million in gross revenue. Royal currently owns 
50% of the stock in Quick, but has no interest in any other federally 
regulated motor carriers. 461233 BC Ltd. (Seller) currently owns the 
other 50% of Quick's stock and approached Royal to sell Royal its 
shares.
    Seller is a noncarrier company based in British Columbia. Seller's 
current ownership of Quick, and its wholly owned subsidiary Quick Coach 
Lines USA Inc. (Quick USA), represents its only interest in federally 
regulated motor carriers.
    Applicant states that Quick provides charter, scheduled, commuter, 
and special services to the traveling public in Washington State. Quick 
holds authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 
(FMCSA) as a motor carrier of passengers (MC-205116).
    Quick USA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Quick. When Royal 
acquires control of Quick, it will also obtain control of Quick USA. 
Quick USA is currently inactive and does not provide any motor 
passenger services. It

[[Page 76712]]

holds, however, authority from the FMCSA as a motor carrier of 
passengers (MC-299860).
    Under the proposed transaction, Applicant seeks permission to 
acquire all of Seller's shares of Quick. Royal will then own 100 
percent of Quick's shares and 100 percent of the shares of its wholly 
owned subsidiary, Quick USA. Applicant and Seller have entered into an 
agreement that is scheduled to close no later than December 1, 2013, 
subject to Board approval and other conditions.
    Under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), the Board must approve and authorize a 
transaction that it finds consistent with the public interest, taking 
into consideration at least: (1) The effect of the proposed 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 information, as required by 49 CFR 
1182.2, including the information to demonstrate that the proposed 
transaction is consistent with the public interest under 49 U.S.C. 
14303(b), and a statement that annual aggregate gross operating 
revenues of the carriers involved exceeded $2 million. See 49 U.S.C. 
14303(g).
    With respect to the effect of the transaction on the adequacy of 
transportation to the public, Applicant states that the proposed 
acquisition would have no adverse impact because the acquisition will 
not materially alter the service levels, result in any operational 
changes, or alter the competitive balance of motor passenger carriers 
in Washington State. Applicant anticipates operating the businesses of 
Quick and Quick USA in essentially the same manner in which they are 
currently being conducted. With respect to fixed charges, Applicant 
anticipates that the proposed transaction would have no adverse effect 
on total fixed charges. Applicant states that the transaction would not 
adversely affect the interests of Quick employees. All of the qualified 
employees would continue their employment following the acquisition.
    On the basis of the application, the Board finds that the proposed 
acquisition is consistent with the public interest and should be 
tentatively approved and authorized because the proposed transaction 
does not impact the adequacy of transportation to the public, would 
have no adverse effect on total fixed charges, and would not adversely 
affect the interests of Quick employees. If any opposing comments are 
timely filed, these findings 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 
``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 transaction is approved and authorized, subject to 
the filing of opposing comments.
    2. If opposing comments are timely filed, the findings made in this 
notice will be deemed vacated.
    3. This notice will be effective February 4, 2014, unless opposing 
comments are filed by February 3, 2014.
    4. A copy of this notice will be served on: (1) 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, 10th Street & 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: December 13, 2013.

    By the Board, Chairman Elliott, Vice Chairman Begeman, and 
Commissioner Mulvey.
Jeffrey Herzig,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2013-30092 Filed 12-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P