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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 221 (Friday, November 15, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90341-90343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26678]

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SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

[Docket No. MCF 21125]

Traxx Coachlines Ltd., Quick Coachlines Ltd., and Vancouver Tours 
& Transit Ltd. C/B/A Charter Bus Lines of British Columbia--
Amalgamation of Three Companies Into One Under the Name Traxx 
Coachlines Ltd.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving and authorizing finance 
transaction.

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SUMMARY: On October 18, 2024, interstate passenger motor carrier Traxx

[[Page 90342]]

Coachlines Ltd. (TCL) filed an application for Board approval to 
amalgamate (merge) its assets and operations with those of Quick 
Coachlines Ltd. (QCL) and Vancouver Tours & Transit Ltd. c/b/a Charter 
Bus Lines of British Columbia (VTT) (collectively, Applicants). Traxx 
Holdings Inc. (Traxx) currently owns 100% of the interest in TCL, QCL, 
and VTT, and Monarch Ventures Inc. (Monarch) currently owns 100% of 
Traxx. Upon completion of the proposed transaction, TCL, QCL, and VTT 
would merge into one entity--TCL--which would be 100% owned by Traxx. 
Monarch would continue to control Traxx. The Board is tentatively 
approving and authorizing the transaction. If no opposing comments are 
timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.

DATES: Comments must be filed by December 30, 2024. If any comments are 
filed, Applicants may file a reply by January 14, 2025. If no opposing 
comments are filed by December 30, 2024, this notice shall be effective 
on December 31, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Comments, referring to Docket No. MCF 21125, 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 
Applicants' representative: Stephen P. Flott, Esq., Flott & Co. PC, 
2200 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 320, Arlington, VA 22201.

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, which was 
filed under 49 U.S.C. 14303(a)(1), TCL provides a broad range of 
charter, transit, and tourism-related services across western Canada. 
(Appl. 2.) The application further states that QCL specializes in 
cross-border transportation, primarily providing scheduled service on 
routes between Vancouver, British Columbia, the lower mainland of 
British Columbia, and Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle, Wash. (Id. at 2-3.) 
Applicants note that QCL's services cater primarily to tourists and 
business travelers. (Id. at 3.) According to the application, VTT 
focuses on tourism services, providing sightseeing tours and charter 
services around Vancouver, British Columbia, and offering tourist 
destinations in the western United States. (Id.) Applicants assert that 
Traxx owns 100% of TCL, QCL, and VTT,\1\ and that, while each entity 
has maintained its unique branding, all operational management has been 
consolidated under Traxx, which, according to Applicants, has 
facilitated streamlined and consistent services across these entities. 
(Id. at 2.) \2\
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    \1\ Further information about TCL, QCL, and VTT, including U.S. 
Department of Transportation (USDOT) numbers, motor carrier numbers, 
and USDOT safety fitness ratings, can be found in the application. 
(See Appl., Exs. B, C, & D.)
    \2\ More information about Applicants' corporate structure and 
ownership can be found in the application. (See Appl. 1; see also 
id., Ex. A.)
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    The application states that, except for TCL, QCL, and VTT, there 
are no other affiliated carriers involved in the application. (Id. at 
4.) The application further explains that Applicants have entered into 
an amalgamation agreement (the Amalgamation Agreement) whereby TCL, 
QCL, and VTT will merge into one entity (including all assets, 
vehicles, and business operations) and operate under the existing 
brand, TCL. (Id. at 3.) According to Applicants, the Amalgamation 
Agreement is scheduled to close no earlier than November 1, 2024, but 
in any event not before Board approval of this application. (Id.) 
Further, Applicants state that the goal of the proposed transaction is 
to enhance brand strength and simplify administrative processes while 
having minimal changes to the day-to-day operations of the applicable 
carriers. (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 have no 
adverse impact on the adequacy of transportation services available for 
the public. (Appl. 4.) According to Applicants, the proposed 
transaction involves the combination of three businesses owned and 
operated by Traxx. (Id.) Applicants state that TCL intends to continue 
the operations of the carriers essentially as they are now being 
conducted and that the public would not be affected by the transaction 
other than by a change in name for the applicable entities. (Id.)
    Applicants further state that this transaction would have no effect 
on total fixed charges, and that no carrier employees would be 
adversely affected by the contemplated transaction as there would be no 
change in the carriers' day-to-day operations. (Id. at 4-5.)
    Based on Applicants' representations, the Board finds that the 
merger as proposed in the application is consistent with the public 
interest. The application will 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 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 31, 2024, unless opposing 
comments are filed by December 30, 2024. If any comments are filed, 
Applicants may file a reply by January 14, 2025.
    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: November 12, 2024.

[[Page 90343]]

    By the Board, Board Members Fuchs, Hedlund, Primus, and Schultz.
Stefan Rice,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2024-26678 Filed 11-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
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