[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 50560]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25635]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Program for Qualifying Department of Defense Ground Passenger 
Carriers

AGENCY: Military Traffic Management Command, DOD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Reference previous Notice (Request for comments) in Federal 
Register, Vol. 62, No. 61, dated March 31, 1997, page 15165, provided a 
60 day comment period on the proposed changes to the Military Bus 
Agreement (MBA). Comments and Military Traffic Management Command 
(MTMC's) responses to those comments are addressed accordingly and are 
provided below. The MBA is amended to improve the standards for 
qualifying carriers transporting Department of Defense (DOD) passengers 
by bus, van and limousine service. The improvements are prepared under 
a new basic Agreement. The changes affect all current and future ground 
passenger carriers transporting for the DOD. A copy of the final 
Agreement between Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) and ground 
passenger carriers is available upon request.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This new basic Agreement is effective 1 October 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leesha Saunders at 703-681-6393; 
Headquarters, Military Traffic Management Command, ATTN: MTOP-QQ, Room 
630, 5611 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-5050.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Comments: The following comments were received from Industry:
    Comment 1. (II-2 Carrier Application., c. & Department of 
Transportation (DOT) Rating) Continental Air Transport commented on the 
regulatory procedures for their individual company in relation to the 
DOT safety fitness rating for all carriers applying to the Military Bus 
Program. The carrier operates ten passenger vans. These vehicles are 
too small to be regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT); 
therefore, they cannot obtain a safety fitness rating from DOT.
    Response 1. These objections reflect concerns relevant to a van 
carrier like Continental Air Transport. The DOT's safety fitness rating 
requirements for the MBA is for carriers whose vehicles seat 16 
passengers or more including the driver. Under the present and future 
MBA application requirements, carriers whose vehicles seat a maximum of 
15 passengers are only required to submit copies of their vehicle 
licenses with their applications. Van & limousine carriers applying for 
approval from deregulated states must submit a notarized letter 
indicating they meet all state requirements.
    Comment 2. (III-8 Driver Qualifications) Continental Air Transport 
Company comments that the state of Illinois and the DOT do not require 
their drivers to have Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL). In addition, 
the carrier comments it is not possible to get a CDL specifically for 
their vehicle capacity. The carrier further explains its driving staff 
undergoes in-house training including the National Safety Council's 
Defense Driving Course. Recommended change is that the statement ``* * 
* hold a current commercial driver's license * * *'' be deleted from 
this section and maintain the following wording: ``* * * be properly 
qualified and licensed and operate the type of equipment owned by the 
carrier.''
    Response 2. Continental Air Transport Co. comment refers to 
carriers with vehicles seating less than 16 passengers. Many companies 
making application to the MBA operate vehicles that seat more than 16 
passengers and those drivers are required by federal and local 
regulations to have and carry their CDL. Therefore, the following 
sentence change is made: ``Drivers, in addition to meeting the DOT's 
requirements, must be legal residents of the United States, be able to 
communicate in English, hold a current commercial driver's license or 
be properly qualified and licensed to operate the type of equipment 
owned by the carrier.''
    Comment 3. (III-9 Financial Statements) Continental Air Transport 
Co. believes that carriers would have problems providing copies of 
their financial statements to MTMC for qualifying for the MBA.
    Response 3. The proof of the financial stability of carriers is to 
reduce the risk to the Department of Defense of approving carriers who 
are not financially able to provide safe and reliable passenger 
service. Thus, financial information is required at time of application 
or upon request of the MTMC. However, the requirement for Certified 
Public Accountant audited statements is removed.
    MTMC is the agency established within the DOD for the procurement 
of land transportation from commercial carriers for DOD passengers, 
their families and impedimenta, in domestic movements procured by the 
MTMC and DOT Transportation Offices. In light of current deregulation 
and changing federal regulations, MTMC is modifying the passenger 
policies in order to improve the current qualification program. The MBA 
is the standards of service carriers must meet for MTMC approval 
including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and DOD 
passenger requirements. Under the new Agreement carriers must show 
compliance with federal, state and DOD passenger safety requirements. 
All bus, van and limousine carriers currently approved by MTMC will be 
required to re-sign the new MBA and provide proof of insurance, company 
drug testing, financial and additional information newly established 
under the revised Amendment.
Alan M. Cox,
Colonel, U.S. Army, Acting Chief, Qualification Division.
[FR Doc. 97-25635 Filed 9-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M