[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5653-5654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-2451]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA-2004-17003]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces the intention of the 
Information Collection Request (ICR) for extension of the currently 
approved information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-
day comment period soliciting comments was published on September 26, 
2003.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before March 8, 2004. 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: Americans with Disabilities Act (OMB Number: 2132-0555).
    Abstract: On July 26, 1990, the President signed into law civil 
rights legislation entitled, ``The Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990'' (ADA) (Pub. L. 101-336). It contains sweeping changes for 
individuals with disabilities in every major area of American life. One 
key area of the legislation addresses transportation services provided 
by public and private entities. Some of the requirements under the ADA 
are: (1) No transportation entity shall discriminate against an 
individual with a disability in connection with the provision of 
transportation service; (2) All new vehicles purchased by public and 
private entities after August 25, 1990, must be readily accessible to 
and usable by persons with disabilities, including individuals who use 
wheelchairs; (3) Public entities that provide fixed route transit must 
provide complementary paratransit services for persons with 
disabilities, who are unable to use the fixed route system, that is 
comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without 
disabilities; and (4) Transit authorities who are able to substantiate 
that compliance with all service criteria of the paratransit provisions 
would cause undue financial burden, may request a temporary time 
extension in implementing ADA complementary paratransit service.
    On September 6, 1991, DOT issued a final rule implementing the 
transportation provisions of ADA (Title 49 CFR parts 27, 37, and 38), 
which includes the requirements for complementary paratransit service 
by public entities operating a fixed route system and the provision of 
nondiscriminatory accessible transportation service. The regulation 
sets forth the changes needed to fulfill the Congressional mandates to 
substantially improve access to mass transit service for persons with 
disabilities. Effective January 26, 1997, paratransit plans are no 
longer required. However, if FTA reasonably believes that an entity may 
not be complying with all service criteria, FTA may require an annual 
update to the entity's plan. In addition, all other ADA compliance 
requirements must still be satisfied. The information collected 
provides FTA with a basis for monitoring compliance. The public 
entities, including recipients of FTA funds, are required to provide 
information during triennial reviews, complaint investigations, 
resolutions of complaints, and compliance reviews.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 36,000 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

[[Page 5654]]

and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk Officer.
    Comments Are Invited On: Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the Department, including whether the information will have practical 
utility; the accuracy of the Department's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize 
the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including 
the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.

    Dated: January 30, 2004.
Ann M. Linnertz,
Special Projects Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-2451 Filed 2-4-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-M