BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION
      
In the Matter of a Petition Requesting an Extension of Temporary Discontinuance 
of Service by

SAN JUAN TRANSIT, INC., C-1006	)
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	)	DOCKET  NO. TC-000084
		
		ORDER GRANTING EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE PREVIOUSLY 
AUTHORIZED IN DOCKET TC-980954

  On January 24, 2000, San Juan Transit, Inc., C-1006, filed a petition with 
the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission requesting permission to 
extend temporary discontinuance of service previously approved in Docket No. 
TC-980954.

  In spite of advertising and promoting transit services on Orcas Island, the 
carrier has been unable to attract ridership.  The carrier requests authority 
to extend the temporary discontinuance of passenger service on Orcas Island due 
to low ridership, which makes offering service non-compensatory and endangers 
the company's viability as a common carrier.  

  Pursuant to review of the petition, its accompanying documentation, and staff 
investigation, the Commission finds that granting an extension to temporarily 
discontinue service at this time may be warranted.  The Commission will grant 
an extension of a twelve-month temporary discontinuance of service.  The 
company may resume service prior to the end of that period, upon 5-day's notice 
to the Commission.

  San Juan Transit, Inc., may request extensions to the discontinuance 
authorized herein.  However, as auto transportation certificates and routes are 
granted only upon a showing of public need and convenience, the Commission 
will, upon receipt of any application for extension of the discontinuance, 
investigate to determine if a more proper action would be to cancel the route 
and amend San Juan Transit's certificate to remove the Orcas route based on the 
fact that there is no longer demonstrated public need.  

  It will be San Juan Transit's responsibility to apply to the Commission for 
extension at least 60 days prior to the expiration of the discontinuance 
authorized herein.  That filing must be accompanied by data that details 
activities by the company to reactivate this route, a projection of available 
traffic, projection of costs to resume service along the route, an income 
projection, and any other information available to support continued 
discontinuance.  Additional information may be requested by Commission staff 
upon receipt of any petition for extension.
  
  Further, the Commission will impose a condition that provides for passenger 
service should an immediate and/or emergent need arise.  Under this 

condition, should a need arise for  passenger service on or along the Orcas 
Island route, San Juan Transit, Inc., must be prepared to resume service to 
meet those needs. If San Juan Transit, Inc., cannot, or will not, resume 
service the Commission will consider that it has waived interest in this 
portion of its auto transportation certificate. The Commission will then 
institute immediate proceedings to amend San Juan's Transit's certificate and 
to grant authority to another carrier who is prepared to meet the needs of the 
traveling public.  

DOCKET NO. TC-000084      PAGE 2
O R D E R

  IT IS ORDERED That:

  (1)  The Commission grants to San Juan Transit, Inc., an extension of 
temporary discontinuance of the service on the Orcas Island route provided 
under its auto transportation certificate, C-1006, previously approved in 
Docket No. TC-980954.

  (2)  Said discontinuance period will begin February 9, 2000, and 
expire        February 9, 2001.

  (3)  San Juan Transit, Inc., may apply to the Commission to extend the period 
of discontinuance by filing a petition at least 60 days prior to the expiration 
date of the current discontinuance.  The Commission will consider that petition 
and render a decision on continued discontinuance in light of the standard of 
public convenience and necessity.

  (4)  Should an immediate, urgent need arise for  passenger service in the 
territory for which this temporary discontinuance is granted, San Juan Transit, 
Inc., must return to service to meet that need within 10 calendar days of 
notification by the Commission.  In the event that San Juan Transit, Inc., 
cannot, or will not, provide such service, the Commission shall consider that 
San Juan Transit, Inc., has waived interest in its certificate.  The Commission 
will institute an immediate proceeding to cancel the route, amend the 
certificate, and to grant authority to a common carrier who is prepared to meet 
the needs of the traveling public.

   DATED and signed at Olympia, Washington this 9th day of February, 2000.


  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



      CAROLE J. WASHBURN, Secretary