Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments was published on July 23, 2004.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before December 3, 2004. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sylvia L. Marion, Office of Administration, Office of Management Planning, (202) 366-6680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: Charter Service Operations (OMB Number: 2132-0549).

Abstract: 49 U.S.C. 5323(d) requires all applicants for financial assistance from FTA to enter into a charter bus agreement with the Secretary of Transportation (delegated to the Administrator of FTA in 49 CFR 1.51(a)). 49 U.S.C. 5323(d) provides protections for private intercity charter bus operators from unfair competition by FTA recipients. 49 U.S.C. 5302(a)(7) as interpreted by the Comptroller General permits FTA recipients, but does not state that recipients have a right, to provide charter bus service with FTA-funded facilities and equipment only if it is incidental to the provision of mass transportation service. These statutory requirements have been implemented in FTA's charter regulation, 49 CFR 604.

49 CFR 604.7 requires all applicants for financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. Sections 5309, 5336, or 5311 to include two copies of a charter bus agreement with the first grant application submitted after the effective date of the rule. The applicant signs the agreements, but FTA executes it only upon approval of the application. This is a one-time submission with incorporation by reference in subsequent grant applications. 49 CFR 604.11(b) requires recipients to provide notice to all private charter operators and allows them to submit written evidence demonstrating that they are willing and able to provide the charter service the recipient is proposing to provide. The notice must be published in a newspaper and sent to any private operator requesting notice and to the United Bus Owners of America and the American Bus Association, the two trade associations to which most private charter operators belong. To continue receiving federal financial assistance, recipients must publish this notice annually. 49 CFR 604.13(b) requires recipients to review the evidence submitted and notify the submitter of its decision. This notice is also an annual requirement. On December 30, 1988, FTA issued an amendment to the Charter Service regulation that allows additional exceptions for certain non-profit social groups that meet eligibility requirements.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,984 hours.

ADDRESSES:

All written comments must refer to the docket number that appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725-17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk Officer.

Comments Are Invited on: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.