Surface Transportation Board – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3519 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice of its intent to seek from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of the information collections (here third-party disclosures) required under the Board's decision in Released Rates of Motor Common Carriers of Household Goods, Docket No. RR 999 (Amendment No. 5) (served Jan. 21, 2011 (2011 Decision) and Jan.10, 2012 (2012 Decision) and modified on May 15, 2012). Under 49 U.S.C. 13501, 13531, and 14706(f)(2), the Board is charged with oversight of certain motor carrier tariffs (the published rates that interstate movers of household goods charge for the services they offer). More specifically, the Interstate Commerce Act requires that such a mover offer what are known as ``full-value'' rates, which are rates under which the mover will be liable for the full value of any lost or damaged cargo. Full- value has been defined by statute to mean the ``replacement value'' of the goods (the cost to the consumer to replace the items lost or damaged (49 CFR 375.201)). Additionally, the Board and its predecessor agency, the Interstate Commerce Commission, have authorized moving companies to offer consumers a lower, ``released'' rate under which the carrier is released from full liability for lost or damaged cargo and assumes less than the statutory level of cargo liability for an interstate move. In its 2011 Decision and notice (76 FR 5,431), the Board issued preliminary regulations implementing a Congressional directive to enhance consumer protection in the case of loss or damage that occurs during interstate household-good moves. See Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), Sec. 4215, Public Law 109-59, 119 Stat. 1144, 1760 (2005). The 2011 Decision required movers to provide certain information concerning the two available cargo-liability options on the written estimate formthe first form that a moving company must give to a customer. In response to comments, the 2012 Decision modified the disclosure requirements proposed in the 2011 Decision (See 77 FR 15187- 01). Subsequently, in response to further public comments, the Board issued a March 9, 2012 decision and notice postponing the effective date of the new requirements until May 15 (See 77 FR 15187-01). These disclosure requirements, which fall within the definition of information collections under the PRA (see 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 CFR 1320.3(c)), are described in more detail below and appear in full in the appendices to this notice. Comments are requested concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology when appropriate; and (4) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility. Submitted comments will be summarized and included in the Board's request for OMB approval.

The Surface Transportation Board (Board) proposes to change some of its existing regulations and procedures concerning rate complaint proceedings. The Board previously created two simplified procedures to reduce the time, complexity, and expense of rate cases. The Board now proposes to modify its rules to remove the limitation on relief for one simplified approach, and to double the relief available under the other simplified approach. The Board also proposes technical changes to the full and simplified rate procedures, and to raise the interest rate that railroads must pay on reparations if they are found to have charged unreasonable rates. The overarching goal is to ensure that the Board's simplified and expedited processes for resolving rate disputes are more accessible.

The Board is granting an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 11323-25 for Twin Cities & Western Railroad Company (TCW), a Class III rail carrier, and the Estate of Douglas M. Head (the Estate), a noncarrier, to continue in control of Sisseton Milbank Railroad Company (SMRC) upon SMRC's becoming a Class III rail carrier in a related transaction. That related transaction involves SMRC's acquisition from Sisseton Milbank Railroad, Inc. (SMRR) and SLA Property Management Limited Partnership (SLA) of their interests in, and operation of, approximately 37.1 miles of rail line situated in Grant and Roberts Counties, S.D. (the Line).\1\ Because all the carriers involved are Class III carriers, the continuance-in-control exemption is not subject to labor protective conditions. The Estate currently controls TCW, which, in turn, controls Minnesota Prairie Line, Inc. (MPL), also a Class III rail carrier. After the consummation of the acquisition transaction, SMRC and TCW will connect in or near Milbank, S.D.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3519 (PRA), the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) gives notice that it has submitted a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval of the information collection required from those seeking licensing authority under 49 U.S.C. 10901-03 and consolidation authority under Sec. Sec. 11323-26. Under these Title 49 provisions, rail carriers and non-carriers are required to file an application with the Board, or seek an exemption (through petition or notice) from the full application process under Sec. 10502, before they may construct, acquire, or operate a line of railroad; abandon or discontinue operations over a line of railroad; or consolidate their interests through a merger or common-control arrangement. The Board previously published a notice about this collection in the Federal Register on December 12, 2011, at 76 FR 77312-14 (60-day notice). That notice allowed for a 60-day public review and comment period. No comments were received. The information collection for which approval is sought is described in detail below. Comments may now be submitted to OMB concerning: (1) The accuracy of the Board's burden estimates; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; (3) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, when appropriate; and (4) whether this collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Board, including whether the collection has practical utility.

On June 4, 2012, Frank Sherman, an individual who controls motor passenger carriers, together with FSCS Corporation, a noncarrier holding company; TMS West Coast, Inc., a noncarrier holding company; Evergreen Trails, Inc. d/b/a Horizon Coach Lines (Evergreen), an interstate motor passenger carrier; and Cabana Coaches, LLC (Cabana), an interstate motor passenger carrier (collectively, Applicants) filed an application for approval under 49 U.S.C. 14303 to acquire the assets of 12 separate interstate motor passenger common carrier subsidiaries of noncarrier Coach America Holdings, Inc. (Coach America)American Charters, Ltd. (Charters); American Coach Lines of Jacksonville, Inc. (Coach-Jacksonville); American Coach Lines of Miami, Inc. (Coach- Miami); American Coach Lines of Orlando, Inc. (Coach-Orlando); CUSA ASL, LLC; CUSA BCCAE, LLC; CUSA CC, LLC; CUSA FL, LLC; CUSA GCBS, LLC; CUSA GCT, LLC; CUSA K-TCS, LLC; and Midnight Sun Tours, Inc. (Midnight Sun) (collectively, Coach America Subsidiaries)and to consolidate certain of those assets into Evergreen and others into Cabana. Specifically, the transaction contemplates that: (1) the assets of Charters; Coach-Jacksonville; Coach-Orlando; CUSA ASL, LLC; CUSA BCCAE, LLC; CUSA CC, LLC; CUSA FL, LLC; CUSA GCBS, LLC; CUSA GCT, LLC; and CUSA K-TCS, LLC, would be purchased by either FSCS or Evergreen to be operated under the Horizon Coach Lines name; and (2) the assets of Coach-Miami and Midnight Sun would be purchased by either FSCS or Cabana and consolidated into Cabana. Cabana would also adopt the d/b/a name ``Horizon Coach Lines,'' and the assets consolidated into Cabana would be operated under that name. Under an asset purchase agreement that was entered into on May 18, 2012, see infra, another company controlled by Sherman, Transportation Management Services, Inc. (TMS), obtained the right to purchase the Coach America Subsidiaries. TMS is to assign its right to purchase to either FSCS or to Evergreen and Cabana. If TMS assigns its right to purchase to Evergreen and Cabana, Cabana will receive the right to purchase the assets of Coach-Miami and Midnight Sun and Evergreen will receive the right to purchase the assets of all of the other Coach America Subsidiaries identified above. On June 6, 2012, Michael Yusim, an individual, filed a letter in opposition to the proposed transaction, asserting that the public interest would not be served by allowing the transaction to proceed until two cases before the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) are completed. On June 19, 2012, the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), a California public agency that operates a regional bus system with connections to municipal and local transit operators, filed a request for delay of the proposed acquisition of assets or for conditions. Copies of this notice will be served on Mr. Yusim and VCTC. Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the rules set forth at 49 CFR 1182.5 and 1182.8.

Professional Transportation, Inc. (PTI or Applicant), an interstate passenger motor carrier (MC-217444), has filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 to acquire the assets of two interstate motor passenger common carrier subsidiaries of noncarrier Coach America Holdings, Inc.CUSA ES, LLC (MC-463168) and CUSA CSS, LLC (MC-522544) (collectively, Coach America Subsidiaries). On June 5, 2012, Michael Yusim, an individual, filed a letter in opposition, asserting that the public interest would not be served by allowing the transaction to proceed without certain Department of Labor proceedings first being completed. A copy of this notice will be served on Mr. Yusim. Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the rules set forth at 49 CFR 1182.5 and 1182.8.

On May 25, 2012, Stagecoach Group plc (Stagecoach), a noncarrier, and a number of its noncarrier intermediate subsidiaries Stagecoach Transport Holdings Limited; The Integrated Transport Company Limited; Stagecoach Aviation Europe Limited; SCOTO Limited; SCUSI Limited; Coach USA Administration, Inc.; and Coach USA, Inc. (Coach USA)along with various carrier and noncarrier subsidiaries of Coach USA \2\ASTI, Inc. (ASTI); Blue Bird Coach Lines, Inc. (Blue Bird Coach); K-T Contract Services, Inc. (K-T); Utica-Rome Bus Company, Inc. (Utica-Rome Bus); TRT Transportation, Inc. (TRT); Coach USA Tours Las Vegas, Inc. (Coach USA Tours); Coach USA MBT, LLC (Coach USA MBT); El Expresso, Inc. (El Expresso); Kerrville Bus Company, Inc. (Kerrville Bus); Powder River Transportation Services, Inc. (Powder River Transportation); Valen Transportation, Inc. (Valen); Antelope Valley Bus, Inc. (Antelope Valley); Coach Leasing, Inc. (Coach Leasing); and CAM Leasing, LLC (CAM Leasing) \3\(collectively, Applicants) filed an application under 49 U.S.C. 14303 to acquire control of the assets of ten separate interstate motor passenger carrier subsidiaries of noncarrier Coach America Holdings, Inc. (Coach America)American Coach Lines of Atlanta, Inc. (American Coach Lines); CUSA AT, LLC; CUSA AWC, LLC; CUSA ELKO, LLC; CUSA KBC, LLC; CUSA PCSTC, LLC; CUSA PRTS, LLC; CUSA RAZ, LLC; Dillon's Bus Service, Inc. (Dillon's); and Lakefront Lines, Inc. (Lakefront) (collectively, Coach America Subsidiaries).\4\ On June 5, 2012, Michael Yusim, an individual, filed a letter in opposition to the proposed transaction, asserting that the public interest would not be served by allowing the transaction to proceed without certain Department of Labor proceedings first being completed. A copy of this notice will be served on Mr. Yusim. Persons wishing to oppose the application must follow the rules set forth at 49 CFR 1182.5 and 1182.8.

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) publishes the names of the Persons selected to serve on its Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board (PRB).

The Board grants an exemption under 49 U.S.C. 10502 from the prior approval requirements of 49 U.S.C. 10901 for R.J. Corman Railroad Company/Pennsylvania Lines Inc. (RJCP) to construct and operate 10.8 miles of previously abandoned rail right-of-way between Wallaceton Junction, PA., and Winburne, PA., subject to environmental mitigation. The rail line would be used with another segment by RJCP to serve a new waste-to-ethanol facility, quarry, and industrial park currently being developed by Resource Recovery, LLC near Gorton, PA., as well as several other shippers located along the line that are interested in the availability of rail service.