[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 212 (Thursday, November 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55239-55240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. F74-2001-109.3]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces the Information Collection 
Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for extension of the currently approved 
information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day 
comment period soliciting comments was published on August 15, 2001.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before December 3, 2001. 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: 2132-0543).
    Abstract: 49 U.S.C. section 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 section 1.51(a)). 49 U.S.C. section 5323(d) provides 
protections for private intercity charter bus operators from unfair 
competition by FTA recipients. 49 U.S.C. section 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 
section 604.
    49 CFR section 604.7 requires all applicants for financial 
assistance under

[[Page 55240]]

49 U.S.C. section 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 agreement, 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 section 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 section 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 service 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 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 section 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 service 
groups that meet eligibility requirements.
    Respondents: State and local government, business or other for-
profit institutions, and non-profit institutions.
    Estimated Annual Burden on Respondents: 1.2 hours for each of the 
1,656 respondents.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,984 hours.
    Frequency: Annual.

    Issued: October 26, 2001.
Timothy B. Wolgast,
Acting Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-27404 Filed 10-31-01; 8:45 am]
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