[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 2215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-955]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB No. MC-F-20903]


Greyhound Lines, Inc.; Acquisition of Control; Los Rapidos, Inc.

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance application.

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SUMMARY: Greyhound Lines, Inc. (GLI or applicant), has filed an 
application under 49 U.S.C. 14303(a) to acquire control of Los Rapidos, 
Inc. (LRI). Persons wishing to oppose the transaction must follow the 
rules at 49 CFR 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. If opposing comments are timely filed, 
this tentative grant of authority will be deemed vacated, and the Board 
will consider the comments and any replies and will issue a further 
decision on the application.

DATES: Unless opposing comments are filed, this notice will be 
effective March 3, 1997. Comments are due by March 3, 1997, and, if any 
are filed, applicants may reply by March 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send original and 10 copies of any comments referring to STB 
No. MC-F-20903 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of the 
Secretary, Case Control Branch, 1201 Constitution Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20423. Also, send one copy of comments to applicants' 
representative: Fritz R. Kahn, Suite 750 West, 1100 New York Avenue, 
N.W., Washington, DC 20005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beryl Gordon, (202) 927-5660. [TDD for 
the hearing impaired: (202) 927-5721.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: GLI (MC-1515) is a nationwide motor common 
carrier of passengers over regular routes that controls the following 
regional interstate motor passenger carriers: Texas, New Mexico & 
Oklahoma Coaches, Inc.; Continental Panhandle Lines, Inc.; and Vermont 
Transit, Inc. LRI (MC-293638) is a motor passenger carrier operating in 
California in interstate and foreign commerce over regular routes 
between: Los Angeles and Calexico, at the Mexican border; and between 
Fresno and San Ysidro, at the Mexican border. As a result of this 
control transaction, LRI will become a wholly owned subsidiary of GLI 
that will be controlled indirectly through Sistema Internacional de 
Transporte de Autobuses, Inc. (SITA), GLI's wholly owned noncarrier 
subsidiary. <SUP>1
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    \1\ SITA on December 2, 1996, entered into a voting trust to 
permit it to acquire LRI's stock prior to a decision on the merits 
of this application.
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    GLI states that its aggregate gross operating revenues, and those 
of its affiliates, exceed the $2 million jurisdictional threshold of 49 
U.S.C. 14303(g). It asserts that acquisition of control will stimulate 
competition and improve the quality and adequacy of motor passenger 
service available to the Hispanic segment of the traveling public. 
Additionally, it maintains that the transaction will not cause an 
increase in fixed charges and that no employees will be adversely 
affected.
    Applicant certifies that: (1) Both it and LRI hold satisfactory 
safety ratings from the U.S. Department of Transportation; (2) they 
both have sufficient insurance to cover the services they intend to 
offer; (3) no party to the transaction is either domiciled in Mexico or 
owned or controlled by persons of that country; and (4) 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 applicant's 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 
tentatively find, based on the application, that the proposed 
transaction is consistent with the public interest and should be 
authorized.
    This action 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. This notice will be effective on March 3, 1997, but will be 
deemed vacated if opposing comments are filed on or before that date.
    3. A copy of this notice will be served on the Department of 
Justice, Antitrust Division, 10th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20530.

    Decided: January 6, 1997.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Owen, and 
Commissioner Simmons.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-955 Filed 1-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P