Docket TC-980954 Page 1 
BEFORE THE WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

In The Matter of a Petition Requesting Exception to Commission Rules and 
Allowing Temporary Discontinuance of Commercial Ferry Service,

SAN JUAN TRANSIT, INC., C-1006,


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 DOCKET TC-980954

 ORDER GRANTING    TEMPORARY DISCONTINUANCE  OF SERVICE AUTHORIZED
 UNDER CERTIFICATE, WITH
 CONDITIONS

  On July 10, 1998, the Commission received a petition from San Juan Transit, 
Inc., C-1006. The petition requests that the Commission authorize San Juan 
Transit, Inc., allowing temporary discontinuance of the route authorized under 
its certificate providing service to Orcas Island.

  The petition explains that in a recent seven-day period only 24 passengers 
were transported along that route.  This amount of passenger traffic does not 
generate sufficient revenue to cover the carrier’s fixed costs.  San Juan 
Transit, Inc., therefore requests leave to temporarily discontinue the service 
along the non-profitable route.
  
  Pursuant to review of the petition, its accompanying documentation, and staff 
investigation, the Commission finds that granting a temporary discontinuance of 
service at this time may be warranted.  The Commission will grant 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 an need arise for commercial 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 Transit’s certificate and to 
grant authority to another carrier who is prepared to meet the needs of the 
traveling public.


O R D E R

  IT IS ORDERED That:

  (1)  The Commission hereby grants to San Juan Transit, Inc., a temporary 
discontinuance of the service on the Orcas Island route provided for under its 
auto transportation certificate, C-1006

  (2)  Said discontinuance period will begin July 22, 1998, and expire July 21, 
1999.

  (3)  San Juan Transit, Inc., may apply to the Commission to extend said 
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        day of July, 1998.

  WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION



       CAROLE J. WASHBURN,          Secretary