Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 83935 

1The application was supplemented on August 

20, 2024, and on September 19, 2024. Therefore, for 

purposes of determining the procedural schedule 

and statutory deadlines, the filing date of the 

application is September 19, 2024. See 49 CFR 

1182.4(a). 

2More information about Avalon’s corporate 

structure and ownership can be found in the 

application. (See Appl. 9.) 

3Further information, including U.S. Department 

of Transportation (USDOT) numbers, motor carrier 

numbers, and USDOT safety fitness ratings, can be 

found in the application. (Id. at 3, 20.) 

4Concurrent with the application in this docket, 

Avalon Transportation and Avalon Motor Coaches 

filed, in Docket No. MCF 21120 TA, a request under 

49 U.S.C. 14303(i) and the Board’s regulations at 49 

CFR 1182.7(b) to manage and operate the assets to 

be acquired on an interim basis pending approval 

of the acquisition. The Board granted that request 

in a decision served on August 30, 2024. 

• Title of Information Collection: 

Request for Overseas U.S. Citizen Vital 

Records Services. 

• OMB Control Number: 1405–0253. 

• Type of Request: Revision of a 

currently approved collection. 

• Originating Office: Department of 

State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, 

Passport Services, Office of Program 

Management and Operational Support 

(CA/PPT/S/PMO). 

• Form Number: DS–5542. 

• Respondents: Individuals. 

• Estimated Number of Respondents: 

18,346. 

• Estimated Number of Responses: 

18,346. 

• Average Time per Response: 40 

minutes. 

• Total Estimated Burden Time: 

12,230 hours. 

• Frequency: On Occasion. 

• Obligation to Respond: Required to 

Obtain a Benefit. 

We are soliciting public comments to 

permit the Department to: 

• Evaluate whether the proposed 

information collection is necessary for 

the proper functions of the Department. 

• Evaluate the accuracy of our 

estimate of the time and cost burden for 

this proposed collection, including the 

validity of the methodology and 

assumptions used. 

• Enhance the quality, utility, and 

clarity of the information to be 

collected. 

• Minimize the reporting burden on 

those who are to respond, including the 

use of automated collection techniques 

or other forms of information 

technology. 

Please note that comments submitted 

in response to this notice are public 

record. Before including any detailed 

personal information, you should be 

aware that your comments as submitted, 

including your personal information, 

will be available for public review. 

Abstract of Proposed Collection 

The Request for Overseas U.S. Citizen 

Vital Records Services is submitted to 

the Office of Records Management to 

request certified or authenticated copies 

of overseas U.S. citizen vital records 

such as Consular Reports of Birth/Death 

Abroad, Certificates of Witness to 

Marriage, and Panama Canal Zone 

documents pursuant to authorized 

requests. Requests for correction, 

amendment, or replacement of such 

vital records may be made using this 

form also. 

Methodology 

A PDF fillable form is available on the 

Department’s website, travel.state.gov, 

where it can be printed for manual 

signature and submission. The Request 

for Overseas U.S. Citizen Vital Records 

Services form may be submitted by mail 

to request certified or authenticated 

copies of overseas U.S. citizen vital 

records maintained by the Office of 

Records Management. 

Amanda E. Smith, 

Managing Director for Passport Support 

Operations, Bureau of Consular Affairs, 

Passport Services, Department of State. 

[FR Doc. 2024–24116 Filed 10–17–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4710–06–P 

SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD 

[Docket No. MCF 21120] 

Avalon Motor Coaches, LLC, and 

Avalon Transportation, LLC— 

Acquisition of Control—Kerrville Bus 

Company Inc., All West Coachlines, 

Inc., American Coach Lines of Atlanta, 

Inc., Coach Leasing, Inc., Cam 

Leasing, LLC, Coach USA, Inc., and 

Coach USA Administration, Inc. 

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board. 

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving 

and authorizing finance transaction. 

SUMMARY: On August 12, 2024, interstate 

passenger motor carriers Avalon 

Transportation, LLC (Avalon 

Transportation), and Avalon Motor 

Coaches, LLC (Avalon Motor Coaches), 

filed an application for control over 

certain assets of the following Coach 

USA, Inc. (Coach USA) subsidiaries: 

Kerrville Bus Company, Inc. (Kerrville); 

All West Coachlines, Inc. (All West); 

American Coach Lines of Atlanta, Inc. 

(ACL Atlanta); Coach Leasing, Inc.; 

CAM Leasing, LLC; and Coach USA 

Administration, Inc. (collectively, Coach 

USA Subsidiaries). On September 19, 

2024, Virgin-Fish, Inc. (Virgin-Fish), 

and Jeffrey Brush submitted a filing 

joining the application. (Avalon 

Transportation, Avalon Motor Coaches, 

Virgin-Fish, and Jeffrey Brush will be 

collectively referred to as ‘‘Avalon’’ or 

‘‘Applicants.’’) The Board is tentatively 

approving and authorizing this 

transaction. If no opposing comments 

are timely filed, this notice will be the 

final Board action. 

DATES: Comments must be filed by 

December 2, 2024. If any comments are 

filed, Applicants may file a reply by 

December 17, 2024. If no opposing 

comments are filed by December 2, 

2024, this notice shall be effective on 

December 3, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: Comments, referring to 

Docket No. MCF 21120, may be filed 

with the Board either via e-filing on the 

Board’s website or in writing addressed 

to: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E 

Street SW, Washington, DC 20423–0001. 

In addition, send one copy of comments 

to Avalon’s representative: Barry M. 

Weisz, Thompson Coburn LLP, 10100 

Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 500, Los 

Angeles, CA 90067. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jonathon Binet at (202) 245–0368. If you 

require an accommodation under the 

Americans with Disabilities Act, please 

call (202) 245–0245. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: According 

to the application,1 Avalon 

Transportation is a California company 

and Avalon Motor Coaches is a Texas 

company. (Appl. 8.) The sole member of 

both limited liability companies is 

Virgin-Fish, a California company 

owned by a sole shareholder, Jeffrey 

Brush.2 (Id. at 8.) Avalon Transportation 

and Avalon Motor Coaches both hold 

interstate authority to carry passengers.3

(Id. at 3.) According to the application, 

Avalon Transportation and Avalon 

Motor Coaches operate chauffeured 

service offices in California, New York, 

New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and 

motor coach offices in California, 

Arizona, and Texas. (Id. at 8.) The 

application states that Avalon Motor 

Coaches focuses on the Texas Motor 

Coach division, while Avalon 

Transportation focuses on chauffeured 

services and the California Motor Coach 

division. (Id. at 8–9.) The application 

also states that Avalon Transportation 

provides service to clients in over 700 

domestic and international locations 

through its affiliate program. (Id. at 9.) 

The application explains that in this 

transaction Avalon will purchase 

certain assets and good will of the 

Coach USA Subsidiaries. (Id. at 4.) 4

Specifically, Avalon Transportation will 

acquire ‘‘the operating assets utilized in 

the All West Coachlines, Inc. business 

segment,’’ and Avalon Motor Coaches 

will acquire ‘‘the operating assets 

utilized in the Kerrville Bus Company, 


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83936 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 

5The application states that real estate assets of 

Kerrville will be purchased by Found Things, LLC, 

a California company whose sole manager is Livery 

Station, LLC, a New York company solely managed 

by Jeffrey Brush. (Id. at 4, 8.) Applicants state that 

Found Things, LLC, will not operate passenger 

motor carrier service. (Id. at 4.) 

6More information about Coach USA’s corporate 

structure and ownership can be found in the 

application. (Id. at 10–11, Ex. 1.) 

7Further information about these passenger 

motor carriers, including their USDOT numbers, 

motor carrier numbers, and USDOT safety fitness 

ratings, can be found in the application. (Id. at 3, 

20.) 

8Applicants estimate that Kerrville operates less 

than 1% of the motor coaches in Dallas (one or two 

buses), approximately 6% of the motor coaches in 

Houston (14 buses), and less than 12% of the motor 

coaches in San Antonio (23 buses). (Id. at 17 & 

n.13.) Applicants estimate that post-transaction the 

combined operations will constitute less than 12% 

of the Houston market and approximately 21% of 

the San Antonio market. (Id. at 18 (stating that there 

will be no competitive impact in the Dallas 

metropolitan area).) 

Inc. and American Coachlines of 

Atlanta, Inc. business segments.’’ (Id.) 5

According to the application, Coach 

USA is a noncarrier Delaware 

corporation headquartered in New 

Jersey,6 and the passenger motor carriers 

it controls provide services in various 

locations. (Id. at 10.) The regulated 

Coach USA Subsidiaries are: 

• Kerrville, a Texas corporation 

headquartered in San Antonio, Tex., 

that provides deluxe motorcoach 

charters and shuttles, customized group 

tour packages, casino trips, and 

convention coordinating and planning, 

(id. at 10–11); 

• All West, a Texas corporation 

headquartered in Sacramento, Cal., that 

provides charter bus services in 

California, charter tours including to 

Nevada, and thruway bus services under 

contract, (id.); and 

• ACL Atlanta, a Texas corporation 

headquartered in Norcross, Ga., that 

provides charter bus services in Atlanta, 

Ga., and the surrounding Southeast, 

(id.).7

The remaining Coach USA 

Subsidiaries do not hold operating 

authority and are described as follows: 

• Coach Leasing, Inc., an Illinois 

corporation headquartered in Chicago, 

Ill., (id. at 10); 

• CAM Leasing, LLC, a Delaware 

corporation headquartered in Paramus, 

N.J., (id. at 11); and 

• Coach USA Administration, Inc., a 

Nevada corporation headquartered in 

Paramus, (id.). 

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 resulting from the 

proposed transaction, and (3) the 

interest of affected carrier employees. 

Applicants have submitted the 

information required by 49 CFR 1182.2, 

including information demonstrating 

that the proposed transaction is 

consistent with the public interest 

under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), see 49 CFR 

1182.2(a)(7), and a jurisdictional 

statement under 49 U.S.C. 14303(g) that 

the aggregate gross operating revenues 

of the involved carriers exceeded $2 

million during the 12-month period 

immediately preceding the filing of the 

application, see 49 CFR 1182.2(a)(5). 

Applicants assert that granting the 

application would be consistent with 

the public interest. (Id. at 12.) The 

application states that Avalon will 

maintain and improve the service 

currently provided by the Coach USA 

Subsidiaries. (Id. at 12–13.) According 

to Applicants, Avalon will use its 

experience to increase efficiency by 

connecting its services to those of the 

Coach USA Subsidiaries and by 

integrating the subsidiaries’ services 

into Avalon’s software platform. (Id. at 

13.) Applicants also state that Avalon 

will assume the Coach USA 

Subsidiaries’ charter pricing agreements 

and continue meeting the transportation 

needs of the charter customers, who will 

likely increase or improve their 

transportation options through Avalon’s 

expansion of services. (Id.) Further, 

Applicants state that they intend to 

improve the safety, comfort, and 

reliability of transportation options by 

purchasing new vehicles. (Id.) 

Applicants also state that, absent the 

proposed transaction, passenger 

transportation options may decrease 

because the Coach USA Subsidiaries 

may be required to shut down 

operations in certain markets. (Id.) 

Applicants argue that the proposed 

transaction will not adversely affect 

competition in the markets where All 

West and ACL Atlanta operate because 

Avalon does not own or operate motor 

carrier services or routes in those 

markets. (Id. at 16.) Rather, according to 

Applicants, the proposed transaction 

will have a positive impact on 

competition because All West and ACL 

Atlanta would otherwise shut down 

operations in those markets. (Id. at 19.) 

Avalon’s operations overlap with 

Kerrville’s operations in San Antonio, 

Houston, and Dallas, Tex., but 

Applicants argue that the proposed 

transaction will not adversely impact 

competition in those markets. (Id. at 16.) 

Applicants estimate that Kerrville’s 

current operations constitute only a 

small fraction of the market in those 

cities,8 where there is vigorous 

competition from several other charter 

services, as well as from public 

transportation and private car 

transportation. (Id. at 16–17.) 

Applicants also state that demand for 

charter service in Texas is expected to 

increase. (Id. at 16.) Further, Applicants 

assert that the transaction will have an 

overall positive effect on competition in 

the San Antonio and Houston 

metropolitan areas because it will 

prevent Kerrville from exiting those 

markets. (Id. at 18.) 

Applicants concede that this 

transaction may result in additional 

fixed costs in the form of additional 

interest charges but assert that any such 

increase is not likely to impact the 

public. (Id. at 14.) Applicants state that 

additional fixed costs may result 

because acquisition of the Coach USA 

Subsidiaries will be financed through a 

combination of cash and term notes, and 

Avalon will assume the existing debt of 

the subsidiaries. (Id. at 13–14.) 

However, Avalon intends to refinance 

the assumed debt to improve the terms 

of the loans. (Id. at 14.) Applicants 

further represent that the proposed 

transaction will not adversely impact 

the interests of the Coach USA 

Subsidiaries’ employees. (Id. at 14–15.) 

According to the application, Avalon 

has agreed to offer employment to no 

less than 95% of the employees at each 

acquired location operated by the Coach 

USA Subsidiaries, provided that the 

employees meet certain eligibility 

standards. (Id. at 14.) Further, Avalon 

intends to extend employment offers 

with substantially equivalent salary, 

benefits, and seniority to nearly all the 

eligible employees of the Coach USA 

Subsidiaries at the acquired locations. 

(Id.) Applicants state that absent the 

proposed transaction all such 

employees would likely lose their jobs. 

(Id. at 15.) Applicants further state that, 

although most of the employees it will 

retain are bus drivers, Avalon will also 

extend employment offers to 

maintenance, operations, safety, 

management, and human resource 

employees of the Coach USA 

Subsidiaries. (Id. at 14; see also id. at 

18–19.) 

Based on Applicants’ representations, 

the Board finds that the acquisition as 

proposed in the application is 

consistent with the public interest and 

should be tentatively approved and 

authorized. 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 


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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2024 / Notices 83937 

be adopted to reconsider the 

application. See 49 CFR 1182.6. 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 in this 

proceeding. 

This action is categorically excluded 

from environmental review under 49 

CFR 1105.6(c). 

Board decisions and notices are 

available at www.stb.gov. 

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 

December 3, 2024, unless opposing 

comments are filed by December 2, 

2024. If any comments are filed, 

Applicants may file a reply by 

December 17, 2024. 

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, 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: October 15, 2024. 

By the Board, Board Members Fuchs, 

Hedlund, Primus, and Schultz. 

Kenyatta Clay, 

Clearance Clerk. 

[FR Doc. 2024–24157 Filed 10–17–24; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4915–01–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration 

[Docket No. FMCSA–2019–0159] 

Parts and Accessories Necessary for 

Safe Operation; Application for 

Renewal of Exemption; Vision Systems 

North America, Inc. 

AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA), Department 

of Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of application for 

renewal of exemption; request for 

comments. 

SUMMARY: FMCSA announces that it has 

received an application from Vision 

Systems North America, Inc. (VSNA) for 

a renewal of its exemption allowing 

motor carriers to operate commercial 

motor vehicles (CMVs) with the 

company’s Smart-Vision high-definition 

camera monitoring system (SmartVision) installed as an alternative to the 

two rear-vision mirrors required by the 

Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Regulations (FMCSRs). VSNA currently 

holds an exemption for the period 

January 15, 2020, through January 15, 

2025, and requests a five-year renewal 

of the exemption. FMCSA requests 

public comment on VSNA’s request for 

exemption. 

DATES: Comments must be received on 

or before November 18, 2024. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by docket number FMCSA– 

2019–0159 using any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ 

FMCSA-2019-0159/document. Follow 

the online instructions for submitting 

comments. 

• Mail: Dockets Operations, U.S. 

Department of Transportation, 1200 

New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, 

Ground Floor, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001. 

• Hand Delivery or Courier: Dockets 

Operations, U.S. Department of 

Transportation, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, West Building, Ground 

Floor, Washington, DC 20590–0001, 

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. 

David Sutula, Chief, Vehicle and 

Roadside Operations Division, Office of 

Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Safety, 

FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 

Washington, DC 20590–0001; (202) 366– 

9209; MCPSV@dot.gov. If you have 

questions on viewing or submitting 

material to the docket, call Dockets 

Operations at (202) 366–9826. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Participation and Request for 

Comments 

A. Submitting Comments 

If you submit a comment, please 

include the docket number for this 

notice (FMCSA–2019–0159), indicate 

the specific section of this document to 

which the comment applies, and 

provide a reason for suggestions or 

recommendations. You may submit 

your comments and material online or 

by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but 

please use only one of these means. 

FMCSA recommends that you include 

your name and a mailing address, an 

email address, or a phone number in the 

body of your document so the Agency 

can contact you if it has questions 

regarding your submission. 

To submit your comment online, go to 

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ 

FMCSA-2019-0159/document, click on 

this notice, click ‘‘Comment,’’ and type 

your comment into the text box on the 

following screen. Choose whether you 

are submitting your comment as an 

individual or on behalf of a third party 

and then submit. 

If you submit your comments by mail 

or hand delivery, submit them in an 

unbound format, no larger than 8 1⁄2 by 

11 inches, suitable for copying and 

electronic filing. 

If you submit comments by mail and 

would like to know that they reached 

the facility, please enclose a stamped, 

self-addressed postcard or envelope. 

FMCSA will consider all comments 

and material received during the 

comment period. Comments received 

after the comment closing date will be 

filed in the public docket and will be 

considered to the extent practicable. 

Confidential Business Information (CBI) 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from 

public disclosure. If your comments 

responsive to the notice contain 

commercial or financial information 

that is customarily treated as private, 

that you actually treat as private, and 

that is relevant or responsive to the 

notice, it is important that you clearly 

designate the submitted comments as 

CBI. Please mark each page of your 

submission that constitutes CBI as 

‘‘PROPIN’’ to indicate it contains 

proprietary information. FMCSA will 

treat such marked submissions as 

confidential under the Freedom of 

Information Act, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of the 

notice. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Brian Dahlin, Chief, 

Regulatory Evaluation Division, Office 

of Policy, FMCSA, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590– 

0001 or via email at brian.g.dahlin@

dot.gov. At this time, you need not send 

a duplicate hardcopy of your electronic 

CBI submissions to FMCSA 

headquarters. Any comments FMCSA 

receives not specifically designated as 

CBI will be placed in the public docket 

for this notice. 

B. Viewing Comments and Documents 

To view any documents mentioned as 

being available in the docket, go to 

https://www.regulations.gov/docket/ 

FMCSA-2019-0159/document and 

choose the document to review. To view 


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