[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 60 (Tuesday, March 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17470-17471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7302]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary of Transportation

[Docket No. 2011-0059]


Notice of Transportation Services' Transition From Paper to 
Electronic Fare Media

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Transportation Services (TRANServe) located in 
the U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of 
Transportation within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Administration is adopting a new program distribution methodology. 
TRANServe is planning to shift to electronic fare media in particular 
areas, beginning in New York and parts of the National Capitol Region, 
where paper vouchers are not available for redemption through the 
Transit Authority. The shift allows for the most effective and 
efficient delivery mechanism for the qualified transportation fringe 
benefit in those areas. TRANServe provides services to Federal 
Government agencies for the qualified transportation fringe benefit. To 
date, TRANServe has distributed these fringe benefits via a paper 
voucher process.

DATES: TRANServe will consider all comments received on or before April 
19, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to (http://www.regulations.gov Web address) to submit or view comments and to view 
supporting and related materials available electronically.
     Postal Mail/Commercial Delivery: Please send one copy of 
your comment to Docket No. DOT-OST-2011-0059, DOT/TRANServe, 1200 New 
Jersey Ave., SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    Reading Room (Public Terminal): You may read any comments that we 
receive on this docket in our reading room (Public Terminal). The 
reading room is located in Room W12-140 of the U.S. DOT, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SW., Washington, DC. Normal reading room hours are 8 
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. To be sure 
someone is there to help you please call (202) 366-9826 or (202) 366-
9317 before arriving.
    Other Information: Additional information about TRANServe is 
available on the Internet at (http://transerve.dot.gov/index.html ).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Denise P. Wright, Business Office 
Manager, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Under the authority of 49 U.S.C. 327, Administrative Working 
Capital Fund and 26 U.S.C. 132(f)(3), Qualified Transportation Fringe, 
Cash Reimbursement, TRANServe conducts its Program operations as the 
service provider by distributing the qualified transportation fringe 
benefit. Since the enactment of Public Law 103-172, Federal Employees 
Clean Air Incentives Act, Executive Order 13150, Federal Workforce 
Transportation, and other enabling legislation, TRANServe has 
maintained its servicing operations for the distribution of transit 
benefits to Federal employees via a paper voucher process.
    Since 2000, TRANServe has operated a highly sophisticated ordering/
inventory/distribution program. TRANServe's program is supported by a 
complex network of activities, such as statistical forecasting for 
nationwide distribution, multi-million dollar contract awards, support 
arrangements for travel and distribution, and an elaborate array of 
financial analysis for Federal Agency billing. April 2000 served as the 
transaction baseline year for TRANServe, when significant and 
measurable transaction activity occurred that accounted for an 
estimated 800% increase in Federal Agency participant growth. Over 
time, many State and local transit authorities are transitioning or 
have transitioned to electronic fare media; thus, compelling the shift 
from a paper based system (vouchers) to an electronic fare media 
structure.
    In addition to rising program costs related to inventory, travel, 
and

[[Page 17471]]

infrastructure support, the shift to electronic fare media by State and 
local transit authorities require that TRANServe adopt a new 
distribution method from paper to electronic fare media, consistent 
with 26 U.S.C. 132(f)(3).
    Public Comments: Persons wishing to offer written comments and 
suggestions concerning the activities of TRANServe's change in 
distribution operations should file comments in the Public Docket 
(Docket Number DOT-OST-2011-0059) at http://www.regulations.gov.

Marie Petrosino-Woolverton,
Director, Office of Financial Management & Transportation Services.
[FR Doc. 2011-7302 Filed 3-28-11; 8:45 am]
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