[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 27 (Thursday, February 8, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9627-9628]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3196]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Surface Transportation Board

[STB Docket No. MC-F-20977]


Stagecoach Holdings PLC and Coach USA, Inc., et al.--Control--
Travel Impressions LLC

AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.

ACTION: Notice tentatively approving finance transaction.

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SUMMARY: Stagecoach Holdings PLC (Stagecoach) and its subsidiary, Coach 
USA, Inc. (Coach), noncarriers, and various subsidiaries of each 
(collectively, applicants), filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 
to acquire control of Travel Impressions LLC (Travel Impressions) d/b/a 
Nevada Charter, a motor passenger carrier based in Las Vegas, NV. 
Persons wishing to oppose this application must follow the rules under 
49 CFR part 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.

DATES: Comments must be filed by March 26, 2001. Applicants may file a 
reply by April 9, 2001. If no comments are filed by March 26, 2001, 
this notice is effective on that date.

ADDRESSES: Send an original and 10 copies of any comments referring to 
STB Docket No. MC-F-20977 to: Surface Transportation Board, Office of 
the Secretary, Case Control Unit, 1925 K Street, NW., Washington, DC 
20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of any comments to applicants' 
representative: Betty Jo Christian, Steptoe & Johnson LLP, 1330 
Connecticut Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20036-1795.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph H. Dettmar (202) 565-1600. [TDD 
for the hearing impaired: 1-800-877-8339.]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Stagecoach is a public limited corporation 
organized under the laws of Scotland. With operations in several 
countries, Stagecoach is one of the world's largest providers of 
passenger transportation services. Stagecoach had annual revenues of 
$3.29 billion for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2000. Coach is a 
Delaware corporation that currently controls over 90 motor passenger 
carriers.
    Stagecoach and its subsidiaries currently control Coach,\1\ its 
noncarrier regional management subsidiaries, and the motor passenger 
carriers jointly controlled by Coach and the management 
subsidiaries.\2\ In previous Board decisions, Coach management 
subsidiaries, including Coach USA West, Inc., have obtained authority 
to control motor passenger carriers jointly with Coach.\3\
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    \1\ Stagecoach controls Coach through various subsidiaries, 
namely, SUS 1 Limited, SUS 2 Limited, Stagecoach General 
Partnership, and SCH US Holdings Corp.
    \2\ See Stagecoach Holdings PLC-Control-Coach USA, Inc., et al., 
STB Docket No. MC-F-20948 (STB served July 22, 1999).
    \3\ See Coach USA, Inc. and Coach USA North Central, Inc.-
Control-Nine Motor Carriers of Passengers, STB Docket No. MC-F-
20931, et al. (STB served July 14, 1999).
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    Applicants state that Coach acquired Travel Impressions in a 
September 12, 2000 transaction in which it acquired all of the 
outstanding stock of Travel Impressions.\4\ Simultaneously with that 
acquisition, Coach placed the stock of Travel Impressions into an 
independent voting trust. The control transaction that is the subject 
of this application will not involve any further transfer of the 
federal operating authority held by Travel Impressions and will not 
entail any change in its operations. Travel Impressions will also be 
jointly controlled by Coach USA West, Inc.
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    \4\ Travel Impressions is a Nevada corporation headquartered in 
Las Vegas, NV. It holds federally-issued operating authority in 
Docket No. MC-340826, authorizing it to provide charter and special 
services between points in the United States. Travel Impressions 
also holds intrastate operating authority issued by the 
Transportation Service Authority of Nevada. The carrier operates 53 
buses, employs 114 persons, and earned gross revenues of 
approximately $9.2 million during the 12-month period ended 
September 30, 2000. It provides charter and airport services in the 
Las Vegas area and between Las Vegas and points in nearby states. 
Prior to the transfer of its stock into a voting trust, the carrier 
was owned by two individuals, Philip Oldridge and Maria C. 
Armstrong.
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    Applicants have submitted information, as required by 49 CFR 
1182.2(a)(7), to demonstrate that the proposed acquisition of control 
is consistent with the public interest under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b). 
Applicants state that the proposed transaction will not reduce 
competitive options, adversely impact fixed charges, or adversely 
impact the interests of the employees of Travel Impressions. Applicants 
assert that granting the application will allow Travel Impressions to 
take advantage of economies of scale and substantial benefits offered 
by applicants, including interest cost savings and reduced operating 
costs. In addition, applicants have submitted all of the other 
statements and certifications required by 49 CFR 1182.2. Additional 
information, including a copy of the application, may be obtained from 
the applicants' representatives.

[[Page 9628]]

    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.
    On the basis of the application, we find that the proposed 
acquisition of control 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 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. 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 March 26, 2001, 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 Administration--MC-RI, 
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, S.W., 
Washington, DC 20590.

    Decided: February 1, 2001.

    By the Board, Chairman Morgan, Vice Chairman Clyburn, and 
Commissioner Burkes.
Vernon A. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-3196 Filed 2-7-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-00-P