A.B.C. Bus Lines, Inc. v. Urban Mass Transportation Administration

Plaintiff-appellant A.B.C. Buslines, Inc. (“ABC”) is a Rhode Island Corporation, providing bus transportation services in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. Prior to 1978, ABC was a franchisee operating bus routes in the territory now served by the defendant, Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority (“GATRA”). ABC ran its bus routes pursuant to certificates of public convenience and necessity acquired from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in 1962. ABC paid $55,000 for the certificates.

In 1978, the Massachusetts legislature created GATRA, a municipal…