Federal Register: May 5, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 88)
DOCID: FR Doc 00-11181
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
Docket ID: [STB Docket No. MC-F-20967]
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Motor carriers:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance application.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Laidlaw Inc., et al.--Control and Merger--Penetang-Midland Coach Lines Limited, J. I. DeNure (Chatham) Limited, d/b/a Chatham Coach Lines, and Chatham Coach Lines, Inc.
DATES: Comments must be filed by June 19, 2000. Applicants may file a reply by July 5, 2000. If no comments are filed by June 19, 2000, this notice is effective on that date.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
In an application filed under 49 U.S.C. 14303, Laidlaw Inc. (Laidlaw), a noncarrier, seeks to acquire indirect control, through its subsidiary, Laidlaw Transit Ltd. (Transit Ltd.), of PenetangMidland Coach Lines Limited (PMCL) and J. I. DeNure (Chatham) Limited, d/b/a Chatham Coach Lines (JID), motor passenger carriers, and subsequently to merge PMCL and JID into Transit Ltd. Laidlaw also seeks to acquire indirect control, through its subsidiary, Laidlaw Transit, Inc. (Transit, Inc.), of Chatham Coach Lines, Inc. (CCL), a motor passenger carrier, and subsequently to merge CCL into Transit, Inc. Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the rules under 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.
SUMMARY:
Finance applications—; Laidlaw Inc. et al.,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Applicants submit that, pursuant to an
agreement, dated June 4, 1998, Transit Ltd. acquired a minority
shareholder's interest in PMCL on June 23, 1998, and, upon approval by
the Board of the proposed transaction, Transit Ltd. proposes to acquire
the remainder of PMCL's issued and outstanding stock as of June 23,
2000. Applicants also submit that, by agreements dated February 3,
2000, Transit Ltd. and Transit, Inc. agreed to acquire all of the
issued and outstanding shares of JID and CCL, respectively, and the
shares simultaneously were placed in voting trusts by their former owners.\1\
\1\ PMCL, JID, and CCL operate primarily in Canada, but hold
federally issued authority in Docket Nos. MC139953, MC11143, and
MC172751, respectively, authorizing them to provide special and charter operations in the United States.
Laidlaw currently controls motor passenger carriers, which include
Transit Ltd. (MC102189) and Transit, Inc. (MC161299). These carriers'
operations in the United States, with the exception of Greyhound Lines,
Inc. (Greyhound), are largely limited to charter and special
operations. Greyhound holds federally issued operating authority in
Docket No. MC1515 and provides mainly nationwide, scheduled regular
route operations. Although Greyhound performs some special and charter
operations, according to applicants, Greyhound does not have the same
contacts as those established by PMCL, JID, and CCL.\2\ Applicants
assert that the addition of PMCL, JID, and CCL will contribute
significantly to the breadth of services that Greyhound and the other
Laidlaw affiliates are able to provide to the traveling public within the United States.
\2\ Laidlaw states that PMCL's contacts are with community
organizations, schools, and other institutions in central Ontario,
Canada, and JID's and CCL's contacts are in southwestern Ontario.
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.
Applicants have submitted the information required by 49 CFR 1182.2, including information to demonstrate that the proposed transaction is consistent with the public interest under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b). Specifically, applicants have shown that the proposed transaction will have a positive effect on the adequacy of transportation to the public and will result in no increase in fixed charges and no changes in employment. See 49 CFR 1182.2(a)(7). Additional information may be obtained from applicants' representative.
On the basis of the application, we find that the proposed transaction 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 our website at: ``WWW.STB.DOT.GOV.''
This decision will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment or the conservation of energy resources.
It is Ordered:
1. The proposed control and merger 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 19, 2000, 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 AdministrationHMCE
20, 400 Virginia Avenue, SW., Suite 600, Washington, DC 20024; (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: April 27, 2000.
[[Page 26275]]
By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Burkes, and Commissioner Clyburn.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 0011181 Filed 5400; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491500U
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Beryl Gordon, (202) 565-1600. [TDD for the hearing impaired:18008778339.]