[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 169-170]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-32243]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration


Petition for Waivers of Compliance

    In accordance with 49 CFR Sections 211.9 and 211.41, notice is 
hereby given that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has 
received a request for waivers of compliance with certain requirements 
of the Federal safety laws and regulations. The petition is described 
below, including the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the 
relief being requested and the petitioner's arguments in favor of 
relief.

Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

FRA Docket Numbers SA-94-12 and RSGM-94-26

    The RTA, working with the Burlingtion Northern Railroad and the 
Union Pacific Railroad, is developing a Commuter Rail Demonstration 
Project (CRDP). The CRDP is part of an ongoing effort to improve mass 
transit services in the three-county, Seattle-Tacoma-Everett region in 
the State of Washington. The RTA plans to begin operation in late 
January or early February of 1995, and be concluded not later than May 
31, 1995.
    The RTA effort to identify suitable passenger equipment for the 
CRDP concluded that the only possible source of adequate equipment is 
GO Transit in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. RTA plans to lease 14 bi-level 
passenger cars, two auxiliary power car units (APCU) and two 
locomotives from GO Transit. Some of the same GO Transit equipment was 
leased for varying lengths of time by other United States commuter 
railroads in the past, most recently by the Southern California 
Regional Rail Authority for service in the Los Angeles, California, 
area to augment its equipment fleet because of the increase in commuter 
rail demand resulting from the January 17, 1994, earthquake.
    The RTA seeks waivers of compliance from certain sections of the 
FRA regulations which are described herein. Conditional waivers were 
granted to the other commuter rail operators which leased the GO 
Transit equipment.

FRA Docket Number SA-94-12

    The RTA seeks a temporary waiver of compliance with certain 
provisions of the Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231) 
for 14 GO Transit passenger cars which do not fully comply with the 
regulations. Section 231.14(c)(3) requires that the side corner 
handholds be located specifically in relation to the center line of the 
coupler. RTA states that the side corner handholds are not located the 
correct distance above the centerline of the coupler.

FRA Docket Number RSGM-94-26

    The RTA seeks a temporary waiver of compliance with certain 
provisions of the Railroad Safety Glazing Standards (49 CFR Part 223) 
for 14 GO Transit bi-level commuter passenger cars, 2 APCU, and 2 
locomotives which do not fully comply with the regulation. The glazing 
material installed in the equipment is manufactured to CSA-D263-1972 
(ANSI Z.26.1) standards, laminated safety glass suitable for 
locomotives and railway cars. The side facing and end facing glazing 
material is not in compliance with 49 CFR Section 223.15.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written reviews, data, or comments. FRA does not 
anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these 
proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any 
interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should 
notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the 
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number SA-94-
12) and [[Page 170]] must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket 
Clerk, Chief Counsel, Federal Railroad Administration, Nassif Building, 
400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications 
received before February 10, 1995 will be considered by FRA before 
final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning 
these proceedings are available for examination during regular business 
hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Room 8201, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street 
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590.

    Issued in Washington, D.C. on December 27, 1994.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety.
[FR Doc. 94-32243 Filed 12-30-94; 8:45 am]
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