[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 2327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1230]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration


Petition for Waivers of Compliance

    In accordance with 49 CFR 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.

Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRA)

    According to SCRA, because of increasing ridership, the failure of 
a contractor to produce commuter cars for Caltran and a 15 to 20 month 
lead time to procure new cars, SCRA has arranged to lease up to 14 bi-
level passenger cars from GO Transit of Toronto, Ontario. SCRA 
presently owns and operates 94 bi-level cars over Metrolink, a regional 
rail network which links downtown Los Angeles, California, and 
surrounding counties. The GO Transit cars being leased are nearly 
identical to the 94 cars already owned by SCRA. The term of the lease 
is projected to extend over an 18 month period (January 1996 through 
July 1997). SCRA states it intends to use GO Transit cars in concert 
with SCRA control cars to ensure American Disability Act (ADA) 
compliance.
    SCRA seeks waivers of compliance from certain sections of the FRA 
regulations which are described herein.

FRA Docket Number SA-96-1

    SCRA is requesting that it be permitted to operate GO Transit bi-
level commuter passenger cars which do not fully comply with the 
Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231). Section 
231.14(b)(2) (``Passenger-train cars without platforms'') requires that 
the top tread of the sill step have a minimum clear depth of 8 inches. 
Section 231.14(c)(3) requires that the side corner handholds be located 
specifically in relation to the center line of the coupler. SCRA says 
that these safety appliances may not be properly configured.

FRA Docket Number RSGM-96-1

    The SCRA seeks a temporary waiver of compliance with certain 
provisions of the Safety Glazing Standards (49 CFR Part 223) for the GO 
Transit passenger cars. The glazing material installed in the cars is 
manufactured to CSA-D263-1972 and American National Standards 
Institute's (ANSI) Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles 
Operating on Land Highways (ANSI Z76.1-1983). The side facing and end 
facing glazing material are 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-96-1) 
and 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 within 30 days of 
the date of publication of this notice 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 January 19, 
1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program 
Development.
[FR Doc. 96-1230 Filed 1-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-M