[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 2, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51489-51490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25212]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board 1
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\1\ The ICC Termination Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-88, 109
Stat. 803, which was enacted on December 29, 1995, and took effect
on January 1, 1996, abolished the Interstate Commerce Commission
(ICC) and transferred certain functions to the Surface
Transportation Board (Board). This notice relates to functions that
are subject to Board jurisdiction pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 14303.
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[STB No. MC-F-20900]
Antelope Valley Bus, Inc.--Control--Desert Stage Lines, Inc.
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.
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SUMMARY: Antelope Valley Bus, Inc. (Antelope), has filed an application
under 49 U.S.C. 14303 to acquire control of Desert Stage Lines, Inc.
(Desert). Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the
rules under 49 CFR part 1182, subpart B. The Board has tentatively
approved the transaction, and, if no opposing comments are timely
filed, this notice will be the final Board action.
[[Page 51490]]
DATES: Comments are due by November 18, 1996. Applicants may reply by
December 3, 1996.
EFFECTIVE DATE: November 18, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to
Docket No. MC-F-20900 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of the
Secretary, Case Control Branch, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20423. In addition, send one copy of comments to
applicants' representative: Eldon M. Johnson, 825 Van Ness Avenue,
Suite 601, San Francisco, CA 94109.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon, (202) 927-5660. [TDD for
the hearing impaired: (202) 927-5721.]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Antelope holds 48-State authority (MC-
125057) to transport passengers in special and charter
operations.2 Desert holds authority (MC-140919 Sub 1) to transport
passengers in charter or special operations, beginning and ending in
Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, CA, and extending to points in
Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
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\2\ Antelope also controls Airport Bus of Bakersfield, Inc., an
interstate motor common carrier of passengers. The acquisition of
control was exempt from ICC approval because the combined revenues
of the two carriers at the time was less than $2 million.
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Applicants state that their aggregate gross operating revenues, for
the 12-month period that ended on December 31, 1995, exceeded
$2,000,000. They assert that the proposed transaction will preserve
motor service because Antelope's financial resources are adequate to
ensure that Desert will continue to operate when its owner retires.
Additionally, they assert that the transaction's fixed charges will be
nominal, that there will be no need to reduce service or increase
rates, and that all of Desert's employees will be retained with
increased pay and improved benefits.
Applicants certify that: (1) both Antelope and Desert hold
satisfactory safety ratings; (2) Antelope maintains sufficient
liability insurance to meet the established fitness requirements and is
neither domiciled in Mexico nor owned or controlled by persons of that
country; and (3) approval of the transaction will not significantly
affect either the quality of the human environment or the conservation
of energy resources. Additional information may be obtained from
applicants' representative.
Under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), we 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.
We find, that the proposed acquisition of control is consistent
with the public interest and that it should be authorized. If any
opposing comments are timely filed, this finding will be deemed as
having been vacated and a procedural schedule will be adopted to
reconsider the application. 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.
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 acquisition of control 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 November 18, 1996, unless
timely opposing comments are filed.
Decided: September 23, 1996.
By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Simmons, and
Commissioner Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-25212 Filed 10-1-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P
