[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 220 (Friday, November 14, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 61164]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29997]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board
[STB Finance Docket No. 33471]


Coach USA, Inc.--Control Exemption--Air Travel Transportation, 
Inc.; Airlines Acquisition Co., Inc.; and Transportation Management 
Services, Inc.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice of filing of petition for exemption.

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SUMMARY: Coach USA, Inc. (Coach), a noncarrier in control of 28 motor 
passenger carriers at the time it filed its petition,<SUP>1</SUP> seeks 
to be exempted, under 49 U.S.C. 13541, from the prior approval 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 14303(a)(5), to acquire control of Air Travel 
Transportation, Inc.; Airlines Acquisition Co., Inc., and 
Transportation Management Services, Inc., motor carriers of passengers.
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    \1\ Coach currently controls the nation's second largest group 
of motor passenger carriers. See Coach USA, Inc.--Control 
Exemption--America Charters, Ltd., STB Finance Docket No. 33393 (STB 
served Oct. 3, 1997), slip op. at 1. In addition to the instant 
petition, Coach has three other pending petitions: Coach USA, Inc. 
and K-T Contract Services, Inc.--Control and Merger Exemption--Gray 
Line Tours of Southern Nevada, STB Finance Docket No. 33431 (STB 
served Aug. 22, 1997), in which it seeks an exemption to acquire 
control of one additional motor passenger carrier, Coach USA, Inc., 
and Leisure Time Tours--Control and Merger Exemption--Van Nortwick 
Bros., Inc., The Arrow Line, Inc., and Trentway-Wagar, Inc., STB 
Finance Docket No. 33428 (STB served Aug. 12, 1997), in which it 
seeks to acquire control of three additional motor passenger 
carriers, and Coach USA, Inc.--Control Exemption--Browder Tours, 
Inc. and El Expresso, Inc., STB Finance Docket No. 33506 (STB filed 
Oct. 31, 1997), in which it seeks to acquire control of two 
additional motor passenger carriers.

DATES: Comments must be filed by December 15, 1997. Petitioner may file 
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a reply by December 24, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of comments referring to STB 
Finance Docket No. 33471 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of 
the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 
20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of comments to Petitioners' 
representatives: Betty Jo Christian and David H. Coburn, Steptoe & 
Johnson LLP, 1330 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph H. Dettmar, (202) 565-1600 [TDD 
for the hearing impaired: (202) 565-1695].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Coach, a noncarrier, seeks an exemption to 
acquire control of three motor carriers of passengers: (1) Air Travel 
Transportation, Inc., d/b/a Atlanta Airport Shuttle (MC-166420), a 
Georgia-based carrier that primarily operates airport shuttle service 
to and from Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport; (2) Airlines 
Acquisition Co., Inc., d/b/a Airlines Transportation Company (MC-
223575), a Pennsylvania-based carrier that primarily operates airport 
shuttle service to and from Greater Pittsburgh Airport and Allegheny 
County Airport; (3) Transportation Management Services, Inc., d/b/a 
Lenzner Coach Lines (MC-237433), a Pennsylvania-based carrier, which is 
affiliated with Airlines Transportation Company and which operates 
charter motorcoach service, contract service, sightseeing service and 
tour service.
    Coach reported, at the time it filed this petition for exemption, 
that it controlled twenty-eight motor carriers of passengers. Coach 
states that its acquisition of control of the three motor carriers 
through the acquisition of their stock will not inhibit competition or 
reduce transportation options available to the public. Coach states 
that the three carriers do not compete with any Coach-owned carrier.
    Petitioner also claims that the acquisition of control of the three 
carriers will allow each carrier to offer improved service at lower 
costs made possible by the coordination of functions, centralized 
management, financial support, rationalization of resources, and 
economies of scale that are anticipated from the common control. Coach 
also states that all collective bargaining agreements will be honored, 
that employee benefits will improve, and that no change in management 
personnel is planned. Additional information may be obtained from 
Petitioners' representatives.
    A copy of this notice will be served on the Department of Justice, 
Antitrust Division, 10th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20530.

    Decided: November 3, 1997.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan and Vice Chairman Owen.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-29997 Filed 11-13-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P