[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 62898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-21827]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA-2007-0015]


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 that the Information 
Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The Federal 
Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments was 
published on August 24, 2007. No comments were received in response to 
that notice.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before December 7, 2007. A comment to 
OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LaStar Matthews, Office of 
Administration, Office of Management Planning, (202) 366-2295 or e-
mail: [email protected].

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 Management and Budget, 
725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk 
Officer.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Charter Service Operations (OMB Number: 2132-0549).
    Abstract: 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. Section 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 604.7. 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.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,984 hours.
    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.

    Issued: November 1, 2007.
Ann M. Linnertz,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
 [FR Doc. E7-21827 Filed 11-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P