[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 164 (Friday, August 24, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 48727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16722]



[[Page 48727]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA-2007-29054]


Notice of Request for the Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

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, this 
notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration 
(FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend 
the following currently approved information collection:
    Charter Service Operations.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before October 23, 2007.

ADDRESSES: All written comments must refer to the docket number that 
appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the United 
States Department of Transportation, Central Dockets Office, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. Comments may also be 
faxed to (202) 493-2251; or submitted electronically at http://dms.dot.gov. All comments should include the docket number in this 
notice's heading. All comments may be examined and copied at the above 
address from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. If you desire a receipt, you must include a self-addressed, 
stamped envelope or postcard or, if you submit your comments 
electronically, you may print the acknowledgement page.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Martineau, Office of 
Chief Counsel, (202) 366-1936, or e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to send 
comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, 
including: (1) The necessity and utility of the information collection 
for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to 
minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the 
collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice 
will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of 
this information collection.
    Title: Charter Service Operations (OMB Number: 2132-0543).
    Background: 49 U.S.C. 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 1.51(a)). 49 U.S.C. 5323(d) provides protections for private 
intercity charter bus operators from unfair competition by FTA 
recipients. 49 U.S.C. 5302(a)(10) 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 part 604. 49 CFR 604.7 
requires all applicants for financial assistance under 49 U.S.C. 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 
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 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: August 20, 2007.
Ann M. Linnertz,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. E7-16722 Filed 8-23-07; 8:45 am]
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