[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 236 (Monday, December 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 85969-85970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27075]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2023-0031]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Public 
Transportation Safety Program

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation 
(DOT).

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces that the Information Collection Requirements (ICRs) 
abstracted below have been forwarded to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) for review and comment. The ICR describe the nature of the 
information collection and their expected burdens for the Public 
Transportation Safety Program.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 10, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed 
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of 
this notice to https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. You can find 
this particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
30-day Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search 
function.
    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. A comment to OMB is best assured of having its 
full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tia Swain, Office of Administration, 
Management Planning Division, 1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Mail Stop TAD-
10, Washington, DC 20590; (202) 366-0354 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
Public Law 104-13, Section 2, 109 Stat. 163 (1995) (codified as revised 
at 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), and its implementing regulations, 5 CFR part 
1320, require Federal agencies to issue two notices seeking public 
comment on information collection activities before OMB may approve 
paperwork packages. 44 U.S.C. 3506, 3507; 5 CFR 1320.5, 1320.8(d)(1), 
1320.12. On July 6, 2023, FTA published a 60-day notice (88 FR 43167) 
in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the agency 
was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments after issuing this 
60-day notice. Accordingly, DOT announces that these information 
collection activities have been re-evaluated and certified under 5 CFR 
1320.5(a) and forwarded to OMB for review and approval pursuant to 5 
CFR 1320.12(c). Before OMB decides whether to approve these proposed 
collections of information, it must provide 30 days for public comment. 
44 U.S.C. 3507(b); 5 CFR 1320.12(d). Federal law requires OMB to 
approve or disapprove paperwork packages between 30 and 60 days after 
the 30-day notice is published. 44 U.S.C. 3507 (b)-(c); 5 CFR 
1320.12(d); see also 60 FR 44978, 44983. OMB believes that the 30-day 
notice informs the regulated community to file relevant comments and 
affords the agency adequate time to digest public comments before it 
renders a decision. 60 FR 44983. Therefore, respondents should submit 
their respective comments to OMB within 30 days of publication to best 
ensure having their full effect. 5 CFR 1320.12(c); see also 60 FR 
44983.
    The summaries below describe the nature of the information 
collection requirements (ICRs) and the expected burden. The 
requirements are being submitted for clearance by OMB as required by 
the PRA.

[[Page 85970]]

    Title: Public Transportation Safety Program.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-New Information Collection.
    Background: Congress directed FTA to establish a comprehensive 
Public Transportation Safety Program in the Moving Ahead for Progress 
in the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112-141; July 6, 2012) (MAP-21), which 
was reauthorized by the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act 
(Pub. L. 114-94; December 4, 2015). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, 
enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58; 
November 15, 2021), continues FTA's authority to regulate public 
transportation systems that receive Federal financial assistance under 
chapter 53. Section 5329(f) of Title 49 U.S.C. authorizes FTA to 
``require the production of documents by, and prescribe recordkeeping 
and reporting requirements for, a recipient or a State safety oversight 
agency'' for the purposes of carrying out the Federal Public 
Transportation Safety Program. FTA is seeking approval of an 
information collection that will allow FTA to collect safety related 
data from transit agencies, State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs), 
and States. FTA will use this information collection to assess how 
recipients of Federal financial assistance under chapter 53 are 
complying with FTA safety requirements and recommendations and ensuring 
safe transportation systems for the riders and patrons using each 
system, the workers operating each system, and the pedestrians 
interacting with each system. FTA may also use this collection to 
assist in determining whether there is a need for new or revised safety 
requirements. This collection is different from the existing safety 
related collections associated with the Public Transportation Agency 
Safety Plan Program (2132-0580), the Public Transportation Safety 
Certification Training Program (2132-0578), and the State Safety 
Oversight Program (2132-0558). The aforementioned collections are 
approved to collect information related to the requirements of those 
safety programs while this new collection is intended to cover other 
safety issues, including emerging safety concerns.
    The information captured through this data collection will enable 
FTA to respond to existing safety issues and be proactive to address 
potential and emerging safety concerns. This information collection is 
essential to FTA's safety oversight and grant-making roles--both 
critical to the Agency's mission of improving public transportation for 
America's communities.
    Respondents: Transit agencies, State safety oversight agencies, and 
States.
    Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 2,477.
    Estimated Annual Number of Responses: 4,843.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 146,940.
    Frequency: Periodic.

Nadine Pembleton,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-27075 Filed 12-8-23; 8:45 am]
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