Discussion

Applicant is authorized by Decision (D.) 91-08-013, dated August 7, 1991, to operate as a passenger stage corporation (PSC-7343) to transport passengers and their baggage on an on-call basis between certain points in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties, on the one hand, and, Los Angeles Amtrak Station, Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors, and Los Angeles International, Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario International, and John Wayne Airports, on the other hand.

Applicant requests authority to establish a ZORF of 20% above and below any of its current fares published in its Passenger Tariff No. 1, CA PUC-1, on file with the Commission. Applicant will compete with other PSCs, taxicabs, limousines, buses, and automobiles in its service area. This highly competitive environment should result in Applicant pricing its services at a reasonable level. Many other PSCs have been granted ZORFs. The requested ZORF is generally consistent with the ZORFs held by other PSCs.

Notice of filing of the application appeared in the Commission's Daily Calendar on June 20, 2003.

In Resolution ALJ 176-3116 dated July 10, 2003, the Commission preliminarily categorized this application as ratesetting, and preliminarily determined that hearings were not necessary. No protest has been received. Given this status, public hearing is not necessary, and it is not necessary to alter the preliminary determinations made in Resolution ALJ 176-3116.

This is an uncontested matter in which the decision grants the relief requested. Accordingly, pursuant to Pub. Util. Code § 311(g)(2), the otherwise applicable 30-day period for public review and comment is being waived.

Assignment of Proceeding

Richard Clark is the assigned Examiner in this proceeding.

Findings of Fact

1. Applicant is currently authorized to operate as a passenger stage corporation on an on-call basis between certain points in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Kern, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange Counties, on the one hand, and Los Angeles Amtrak Station, Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors, and Los Angeles International, Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario International, and John Wayne Airports, on the other hand.

2. Applicant requests authority to establish a ZORF of 20% above and below any of its current fares.

3. Applicant will compete with PSCs, taxicabs, limousines, buses, and automobiles in its operations. The ZORF is fair and reasonable.

4. No protest to the application has been filed.

5. A public hearing is not necessary.

6. It can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.

Conclusions of Law

1. The application for a ZORF should be granted.

2. Before Applicant changes any fares under the ZORF authorized below, Applicant shall give this Commission at least ten days' notice. The tariff should show the high and low ends of the ZORF and the then currently effective fare between each pair of service points.

3. Since the matter is uncontested, the decision should be effective on the date it is signed.

ORDER

IT IS ORDERED that:

1. Airport Connection, Inc. (Applicant), a corporation, is authorized under Pub. Util. Code § 454.2 to establish a zone of rate freedom (ZORF) of 20% above and below any of its current fares published in its tariff filed with the Commission.

2. Applicant shall file a ZORF tariff in accordance with the application on not less than ten days' notice to the Commission and to the public. The ZORF shall expire unless exercised within 120 days after the effective date of this order.

3. Applicant may make changes within the ZORF by filing amended tariffs on not less than ten days' notice to the Commission and to the public. The tariff shall include the authorized maximum and minimum fares and the fare to be charged between each pair of service points.

4. In addition to posting and filing tariffs, Applicant shall post notices explaining fare changes in its terminals and passenger-carrying vehicles. Such notices shall be posted at least ten days before the effective date of the fare changes and shall remain posted for at least 30 days.

5. The Application is granted as set forth above.

6. This proceeding is closed.

This order is effective today.

Dated September 18, 2003, at San Francisco, California.

Previous PageTop Of PageGo To First Page