Subject of Possible Rule Making: The commission will consider whether it should propose rules in chapter 480-30 WAC relating to rates (fares) and ratemaking for passenger transportation companies regulated under chapter 81.68 RCW. In its review the commission will consider whether the current regulation of entry and rates (fares) for passenger transportation companies reflects sound public policy. The review will also consider, given the current entry regulation set forth in chapter 81.68 RCW, whether the commission should adopt rules and/or recommend statutory changes to the legislature.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 80.01.040, 81.04.160, 81.68.030.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules may be needed to establish a specific rate-making methodology for general rate increases and fuel surcharge increases.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule:      Agency study; and the commission will ask for initial written comments, and will provide the opportunity for additional comments. The commission will hold one or more workshops with stakeholders to discuss issues and any rule proposal.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested persons may file comments with the Secretary, Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504-7250, phone (360) 664-1174, fax (360) 586-1150, by 5:00 p.m., Thursday, March 16, 2006. An initial workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, 2006, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

     WRITTEN COMMENTS AND STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP: Written comments may be submitted to the commission at the address given above and should be filed with the commission no later than March 16, 2006, for consideration at the April 4, 2006, stakeholder workshop, to be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Commission's Room 230, Second Floor, Chandler Plaza Building, 1300 South Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, WA.

     Electronic copies. The commission requests that comments be provided in electronic format to enhance public access, for ease of providing comments, to reduce the need for paper copies, and to facilitate quotations from the comments. Comments may be submitted by electronic mail to the commission's records center at records@wutc.wa.gov. Please include:

•	The docket number of this proceeding (TC-060177).
•	The commenting party's name.
•	The title and date of the comment or comments.

     An alternative method for submitting comments may be by mailing/delivering an electronic copy on a 3 1/2 inch, IBM-formatted, high-density disk, in .pdf Adobe Acrobat format or in Word 97 or later. Include all of the information requested above. The commission will post on the commission's web site all comments that are provided in electronic format. The web site is located at http://www.wutc.wa.gov/060177. If you are unable to file your comments electronically or to submit them on a disk, the commission will always accept a paper document.

     Opportunities for further comment and additional workshops are anticipated. Information about the schedule and other aspects of the rule making, including comments, will be posted on the commission's web site as it becomes available. If you wish to receive further information on this rule making you may (1) call the commission's records center at (360) 664-1234, (2) e-mail the commission at <records@wutc.wa.gov>, or (3) mail written comments to the address above to the attention of Carole J. Washburn, Secretary. When contacting the commission, please refer to Docket No. TC-060177 to ensure that you are placed on the appropriate service list. Questions may be addressed to Penny L. Hansen, Regulatory Analyst, at (360) 664-1242 or e-mail at phansen@wutc.wa.gov.

     TO CONTINUE RECEIVING NOTICES AND INFORMATION ABOUT THIS RULE MAKING -- The commission wants to ensure its mailings are sent to persons who are interested in the topic and want to receive that information. ANY PERSON WHO COMMENTS will continue to receive notices and information. If you do not submit comments but wish to remain on the mailing list for this rule making, please advise the records center by any one of the following methods: (1) Send a note with your name, address (or a copy of your mailing label), and telephone and fax numbers referencing Docket No. TC-060177, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list"; or (2) e-mail your name, address, telephone and fax numbers, referencing Docket No. TC-060177, and the words "Please keep me on the mailing list" to <records@wutc.wa.gov>. Please note that all information in the mailings will be accessible through the commission's internet web site at <http://www.wutc.wa.gov/060177>. THOSE PARTIES WHO DO NOT RESPOND MAY NOT RECEIVE FURTHER MAILINGS OR INFORMATION ON THE RULE MAKING.

February 15, 2006

Carole J. Washburn

Executive Secretary