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(a) Content. The protested collective ratemaking action sought to be suspended, whether or not contained in a tariff filed with the Board, should be identified by making reference to: The name of the publishing carrier or collective ratemaking organization; the identification of the tariff, if applicable, or the identification of the collective ratemaking action publication if it is not contained in a tariff filed with the Board; the specific items or particular provisions protested; and the effective date of the tariff or other collective ratemaking action publication. Reference should also be made to the tariff or collective ratemaking action, and the specific provisions proposed to be superseded. The protest should state the grounds in support thereof, and indicate in what respect the protested collective ratemaking action is considered to be unlawful. Such protests will be considered as addressed to the discretion of the Board. Should a protestant desire to proceed further against a collective ratemaking action which is not suspended, or which has been suspended and the suspension vacated, a separate later formal complaint or petition should be filed.

(c) Motor carrier tariff bureau filings. When motor common carrier tariff bureaus take collective actions subject to the special procedures adopted in Ex Parte No. MC-82, New Procedures in Motor Carrier Rev. Proc. 340 I.C.C. 1 (1971), and set forth at 49 CFR part 1139, protests must reach the Board at least 22 days before the effective dates of those actions if protestants desire action by the Board before such effective dates. All statements should be served by express mail or an equivalent expedited delivery service upon any party undertaking to bear the cost. Written request for this expedited service must be made no less than 5 days before the statement is due to be filed with the Board.

(d) Copies; service. In connection with proceedings involving proposals subject to the special procedures in Ex Parte No. MC-82, New Procedures in Motor Carrier Rev. Proc. 339 I.C.C. 324, and set forth at 49 CFR part 1139, an original and 10 copies of every protest or reply filed under this section should be furnished for the use of the Board. Except as provided for proposals subject to the special procedures in Ex Parte No. MC-82, the original and 10 copies of each protest, or of each reply filed under this section, must be filed with the Board, and one copy simultaneously must be served upon the publishing carrier or collective ratemaking organization, and upon other persons known by protestant to be interested. These pleadings should be directed to the attention of the Chief, Section of Administration, Office of Proceedings, Surface Transportation Board.

(e) Reply to protest. A reply to a protest filed at least 12 days before the effective date of proposed collective action provisions must reach the Board not later than the fourth working day prior to the scheduled effective date of the protested provisions unless otherwise provided. Replies to protests against motor carrier rate bureau proposals subject to Ex Parte No. MC-82 procedures, to be assured of consideration, must reach the Board no later than 14 days before the scheduled effective date of the protested provisions.