[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 24, 1999)] [Notices] [Pages 46224-46225] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 99-21922] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Program Announcement of Project Selection AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the selection of projects under the Over-the-road Bus (OTRB) Accessibility Program, authorized by Section 3038 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). The OTRB Accessibility Program makes funds available to private operators of over-the-road buses to finance the incremental capital and training costs of complying with DOT's over-the-road bus accessibility final rule, published in a Federal Register Notice on September 24, 1998. In the first year of implementation, $2 million was available for providers of intercity fixed-route services. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Projects Selected for Fiscal Year 1999 Funding A total of $2.8 million was requested by 20 applicants around the nation. Project selections were made on a competitive basis, with 11 projects selected for funding as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peter Pan Bus Lines, Springfield, MA........................ $101,000 Adirondack Transit Lines, Kingston, NY...................... 150,000 Shortline (Hudson Transit Bus), Mahwa, NJ................... 150,000 Capitol Bus (Capitol Trailways of PA), Harrisburg, PA....... 102,293 Carl Bieber Tourways, Kutztown, PA.......................... 130,000 Frank Martz Coach, Wilkes Barre, PA......................... 54,545 Jefferson Lines, Minneapolis, MN............................ 107,280 Peoria Charter Coach, Peoria, IL............................ 17,250 Greyhound, Dallas, TX....................................... 1,056,707 Burlington Trailways, West Burlington, IA................... 91,000 Northwestern Stage Lines, Spokane, WA....................... 29,925 ----------- Total..................................................... 1,990,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The nine projects that were not selected for funding in this first year of implementation will be eligible to apply for funding next year. In addition to the $2 million that will be available for intercity fixed-route providers in FY 2000, an additional $1.7 million will be available for providers of other over-the-road bus services, such as commuter, charter and tour. Eligible project costs may be incurred by awardees prior to final grant approval. The incremental capital cost for adding wheelchair lift equipment to any new vehicles delivered on or after June 9, 1998, the effective date of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, is eligible for funding under the over-the-road bus accessibility program. Applicants selected for funding may be contacted by FTA regional offices if any additional information is needed before grants are made. The grant applications will be sent to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for certification under the labor protection [[Page 46225]] requirements of the Federal Transit Act, Section 5333(b). After referring applications to affected employees represented by a labor organization, DOL will issue a certification to FTA. The terms and conditions of the certification will be incorporated in the FTA grant agreement under the new guidelines replacing these in 29 CFR Part 215. Please see Amendment to Section 5333(b), Guidelines To Carry Out New Programs Authorized by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21); Final Rule (64 FR 40990, July 28, 1999). Issued on August 19, 1999. Gordon J. Linton, Administrator. [FR Doc. 99-21922 Filed 8-23-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-57-P