4. Factual Background

Applicant presently holds a passenger stage certificate (PSC-6235) entitling it to provide "on call, scheduled service" between various downtown Los Angeles hotels and the LAX, as well as door-to-door service from much of five southern California counties to various airports in that region (Official Notice of Applicant's file). Applicant seeks to provide scheduled service to and from various points in Los Angeles County to LAX, to and from LAX to SNA and various hotels near Disneyland, and to and from LAX to ONT and area hotels. The application also lists charges for this proposed scheduled service in Exhibit A and for door-to-door service in Exhibit AA.

Mr. Nazemzadeh founded Applicant in 1988 and is its sole owner. The current operation is conducted using one vehicle. There are two drivers, Nazemzadeh and Mr. Khan. All door-to-door business to LAX is referred to other shuttle companies since that airport no longer allows both door-to-door and scheduled service by the same carrier. Applicant represents that it has the practical and management experience and financial capability to provide the service it proposes.

Nazemzadeh testified that Applicant would be in full operation within 60 days of receiving authority from the Commission. He further stated that this would be scheduled service, whether or not there were passengers who were waiting for rides. Nazemzadeh estimates that the proposed operation would require 25 vehicles at a cost of about $52,000 per vehicle. If the vehicles were leased, the cost would be a down payment of $13,000, plus $1,200 per month.

Protestants Airport Bus and MSSS have the scheduled service authority sought by Applicant. Protestant Airport Bus currently operates this service. Though authorized to provide scheduled service pursuant to Decision (D.) 00-06-073, MSSS has not commenced operations. Two other carriers also have similar authority but have not yet started serving.