Notice2025-17479
American Safety Holdings, LLC, a Louisiana Limited Liability Company-Acquisition of Property-American-International Travel, Inc. d/b/a Dixieland Tours & Cruises, a Louisiana Corporation
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
September 11, 2025
Effective
October 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Surface Transportation Board
Abstract
On June 17, 2025, American Safety Holdings, LLC (Holdings), a noncarrier, and its affiliate American Safety Transit, LLC (Transit), a motor passenger carrier, filed an application for control over substantially all the assets of American-International Travel, Inc. d/ b/a Dixieland Tours and Cruises (Dixieland), a motor passenger carrier. By supplement filed on August 1, 2025, Bricor Energy Group, LLC (Bricor), and Ana Begovich (Begovich), both noncarriers, joined the application, which was supplemented again on August 12, 2025. (Holdings, Transit, Bricor, and Begovich will be collectively referred to as Applicants). Applicants also seek after-the-fact authority for Holdings' prior acquisition of property from New Orleans Tours, Inc. (New Orleans Tours), and its affiliates, Airport Shuttle, LLC (Airport Shuttle), and Car Noir, LLC (Car Noir). The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing these transactions. If no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 174 (Thursday, September 11, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 174 (Thursday, September 11, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44141-44143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-17479]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
[Docket No. MCF 21136]
American Safety Holdings, LLC, a Louisiana Limited Liability
Company--Acquisition of Property--American-International Travel, Inc.
d/b/a Dixieland Tours & Cruises, a Louisiana Corporation
AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board.
ACTION: Notice tentatively approving and authorizing finance
transaction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: On June 17, 2025, American Safety Holdings, LLC (Holdings), a
noncarrier, and its affiliate American Safety Transit, LLC (Transit), a
motor passenger carrier, filed an application for control over
substantially all the assets of American-International Travel, Inc. d/
b/a Dixieland Tours and Cruises (Dixieland), a motor passenger carrier.
By supplement filed on August 1, 2025, Bricor Energy Group, LLC
(Bricor), and Ana Begovich (Begovich), both noncarriers, joined the
application, which was supplemented again on August 12, 2025.
(Holdings, Transit, Bricor, and Begovich will be collectively referred
to as Applicants). Applicants also seek after-the-fact authority for
Holdings' prior acquisition of property from New Orleans Tours, Inc.
(New Orleans Tours), and its affiliates, Airport Shuttle, LLC (Airport
Shuttle), and Car Noir, LLC (Car Noir). The Board is tentatively
approving and authorizing these transactions. If no opposing comments
are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.
DATES: Comments must be filed by October 27, 2025. If any comments are
filed, Applicants may file a reply by November 10, 2025. If no opposing
comments are filed by October 27, 2025, this notice shall be effective
on October 28, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Comments, referring to Docket No. MCF 21136, may be filed
with the Board either via e-filing on the Board's website or in writing
addressed to: Surface Transportation Board, 395 E Street SW,
Washington, DC 20423-0001. In addition, send one copy of comments to
Applicants' representative: Jonathan L. Schultis, Ricci Partners, LLC,
101 W Robert E. Lee Blvd., Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70124.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathaniel Bawcombe at (202) 915-3555.
If you require an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities
Act, please call (202) 245-0245.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: According to the application,\1\ Holdings
and Transit are Louisiana companies under common ownership. (Appl. 4-
5.) Their majority owner, Bricor, is a Louisiana company that is wholly
owned by Begovich.\2\ (Appl. 5-6.) Applicants state that Transit is the
only motor passenger carrier affiliated with Bricor and Begovich.
(Suppl. 2-3, Aug. 1, 2025.) According to Applicants, Transit provides
contractual labor transportation services in Louisiana and aims to
expand its service to Texas.\3\ (Suppl. 6, Aug. 1, 2025.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The application was supplemented on August 1, 2025, and on
August 12, 2025. Therefore, for purposes of determining the
procedural schedule and statutory deadlines, the filing date of the
application is August 12, 2025. See 49 CFR 1182.4(a).
\2\ More information about Applicants' corporate structure and
ownership can be found in the application. (See Appl. 4-6; Suppl. 2-
4, Ex. A, Aug. 1, 2025.)
\3\ Further information about Transit, including a U.S.
Department of Transportation (USDOT) number, motor carrier number,
and USDOT safety fitness rating, can be found in the application.
(Appl. 5, 9.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicants state that, pursuant to an asset purchase agreement,
Holdings will acquire substantially all the assets of Dixieland,
including 21 motorcoaches and non-motorcoach assets.\4\ (Appl. 2-3.)
Holdings will then lease the motorcoaches to Transit for operation.
(Id. at 3.) Applicants assert that Dixieland's shareholders intend to
withdraw from the motorcoach passenger business following consummation
of the proposed transaction, while Dixieland's brand continues as a
going concern with Applicants assuming responsibility for its
operations and service. (Id.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ The non-motorcoach assets include real property used as
Dixieland's garage facilities, customer lists, telephone numbers,
pending motor coach charter customer contracts, charter contract
deposits associated with pending charter contracts, parts,
equipment, supplies, and website and related software and
intangibles. (Appl. 3.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to Applicants, Dixieland is a Louisiana corporation that
provides event-specific charter services for sporting events, weddings,
conventions, and other events.\5\ (Suppl. 1, 5-6, Aug. 1, 2025.)
Applicants state that Dixieland's customers largely consist of schools,
universities, the military, churches, and civic organizations. (Id. at
6.) According to Applicants, Dixieland operates 21 power units and
employs approximately 39 drivers. (Id. at 5.) The application states
that 82% of Dixieland's charter service during the year ending on May
31, 2025, was for intrastate travel,\6\ and that its interstate
motorcoach service operates mostly in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and
Florida. (Id. at 6.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ More information about Dixieland's corporate structure and
ownership can be found in the application, along with its USDOT
number, motor carrier number, and USDOT safety fitness rating.
(Appl. 2; Suppl. 6, Aug. 1, 2025.)
\6\ The application states that 90% of Dixieland's service
originates within 300 miles of its Baton Rouge, La., terminal.
(Suppl. 6, Aug. 1, 2025.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicants also seek after-the-fact authorization for Holdings'
December 31, 2024 acquisition of substantially all the assets of New
Orleans Tours and assets of its affiliates.\7\ (Id. at 7; Suppl. 2,
Aug. 12, 2025.) Specifically, Holdings acquired 12 motorcoaches and
[[Page 44142]]
automobiles from New Orleans Tours, 15 motorcoaches owned by Airport
Shuttle, and one sprinter van owned by Car Noir. (Suppl. 7, Aug. 1,
2025.) According to Applicants, at the time Holdings acquired these
assets, New Orleans Tours provided intrastate and interstate charter
and transportation services including historical tours, paddle wheel
tours, sightseeing tours, and swamp tours. (Id. at 8.) Applicants
further state that Airport Shuttle operated intrastate, offering ride
share shuttle service from the New Orleans Airport to hotels and other
accommodations, and that Car Noir was not a carrier. (Id.) According to
Applicants, Transit will acquire from Holdings the right to operate the
assets of New Orleans Tours and its affiliates, and Transit will expand
its services to include contractual shuttle and charter services for
events, conventions, sporting events, and site-seeing tours. (Id. at 6-
7.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ More information about the corporate structure of New
Orleans Tours and its affiliates can be found in the application.
(Suppl. 7-8, Aug. 1, 2025.) According to the application, New
Orleans Tours' Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration record is
now inactive. (Id. at 8.)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), the Board must approve and authorize a
transaction that it finds consistent with the public interest, taking
into consideration at least (1) the effect of the proposed transaction
on the adequacy of transportation to the public, (2) the total fixed
charges resulting from the proposed transaction, and (3) the interest
of affected carrier employees. Applicants have submitted the
information required by 49 CFR 1182.2, including information
demonstrating that the proposed transaction is consistent with the
public interest under 49 U.S.C. 14303(b), see 49 CFR 1182.2(a)(7), and
a jurisdictional statement under 49 U.S.C. 14303(g) that the aggregate
gross operating revenues of the involved carriers exceeded $2 million
during a consecutive 12-month period ending not more than 6 months
before the date of the agreement of the parties, see 49 CFR
1182.2(a)(5).
Acquisition of Dixieland Assets. Applicants state that the proposed
transaction will materially enhance the adequacy and efficiency of
transportation to the public by enabling coordinated deployment of
operational assets under their unified control. (Appl. 7.) Applicants
further claim that the proposed transaction will increase availability
and improve utilization of motor carrier service, resulting in greater
service reliability and operational efficiency. (Id.) Applicants assert
that Transit's management will ensure continuity of operations and a
seamless transition, without service interruptions or adverse impacts
to the public. (Id. at 8.) Further, Applicants argue that existing
service levels will be maintained and enhanced through the leveraging
of consolidated resources and more efficient scheduling. (Id.)
Applicants also argue that the proposed transaction will facilitate
service expansion into new or underserved areas. (Id.) As to potential
competitive effects, Applicants state that Dixieland's service faces
intense competition from motorcoach providers and other modes of
transportation, including private motor vehicles, intercity passenger
rail service, and passenger airline service. (Suppl. 6, Aug. 1, 2025.)
Applicants also state that Dixieland does not compete with Transit,
which provides contractual labor transportation. (Id.) Further,
Applicants state that Transit hopes the proposed transaction will allow
it to expand its services at competitive rates. (Id. at 7.)
With respect to fixed charges, Applicants state that the proposed
transaction will not result in a substantial change to such charges.
(Appl. 8.) Applicants state that only limited debt financing or
borrowed funds will be utilized in executing the proposed transaction,
and thus it will not generate unreasonable amounts of interest expense.
(Id.) In addition, Applicants state that Holdings will assume
substantially all of Dixieland's existing service contracts at the same
rates and terms consistent with those currently in effect. (Id.)
According to Applicants, the proposed transaction will not result
in a material disruption to the existing workforce or negatively impact
labor conditions or employee rights. (Id. at 9.) Applicants claim that
they will offer employment to all Dixieland personnel under the same
terms and conditions in effect prior to the proposed transaction. (Id.)
Applicants further assert that they have no plans to implement any
workforce reductions, layoffs, or adverse changes to employee
compensation or benefits. (Id.)
Prior Acquisition of Assets of New Orleans Tours and its
Affiliates. Applicants assert that Holdings' prior acquisition was
consistent with the public interest. (Suppl. 10, Aug. 1, 2025.)
According to Applicants, the prior acquisition materially enhanced the
adequacy and efficiency of transportation to the public by enabling the
coordinated deployment of operational assets under unified control.
(Id. at 9.) Applicants also assert that the acquisition led to greater
service availability, resulting in increased reliability and
operational efficiency, and that there were no service interruptions or
adverse impacts to the public. (Id. at 9-10.) Applicants also state
that, in the relevant geographic market, a substantial number of
competitors continue to operate. (Id. at 10.) With respect to fixed
charges, Applicants argue that the acquisition did not result in a
substantial change to the charges of the consolidated entity and was
executed with minimal reliance on debt financing or borrowed capital.
(Id. at 10-11.) In addition, Applicants state that they have continued
the operations of New Orleans Tours without disruptions in employment
for existing personnel, as all former New Orleans Tours employees
accepted comparable or enhanced positions with Transit. (Id. at 11.)
Based on Applicants' representations, the Board finds that
Applicants' proposed acquisition of the Dixieland assets is consistent
with the public interest and should be tentatively approved and
authorized. The Board also finds that Applicants' prior acquisition of
the assets of New Orleans Tours and its affiliates is consistent with
the public interest and should be tentatively approved and authorized
after the fact. If any opposing comments are timely filed, these
findings 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. If no opposing
comments are filed by the expiration of the comment period, this notice
will take effect automatically and will be the final Board action in
this proceeding.
This action is categorically excluded from environmental review
under 49 CFR 1105.6(c).
Board decisions and notices are available at <a href="http://www.stb.gov">www.stb.gov</a>.
It is ordered:
1. The proposed acquisition of property of Dixieland by Applicants
is approved and authorized, subject to the filing of opposing comments.
2. Applicants' prior acquisition of the assets of New Orleans Tours
and its affiliates is approved and authorized after the fact, subject
to the filing of opposing comments.
3. If opposing comments are timely filed, the findings made in this
notice will be deemed vacated.
4. This notice will be effective October 28, 2025, unless opposing
comments are filed by October 27, 2025. If any comments are filed,
Applicants may file a reply by November 10, 2025.
5. A copy of this notice will be served on: (1) the U.S. Department
of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590; (2) the U.S. Department of
Justice, Antitrust Division, 10th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20530;
[[Page 44143]]
and (3) the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the General
Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Decided: September 5, 2025.
By the Board, Board Members Fuchs, Hedlund, and Schultz.
Brendetta Jones,
Clearance Clerk.
[FR Doc. 2025-17479 Filed 9-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4915-01-P
</pre></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 11, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.