[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 48217]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12280]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2015-0005]


Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that by letter dated February 26, 
2024, Big Spring Rail System, Inc. (BSR) petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver of 
compliance from certain provisions of the hours of service laws 
contained at title 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) section 21103(a). The 
relevant Docket Number is FRA-2015-0005.
    Specifically, BSR requested to extend its existing relief from the 
provisions of 49 U.S.C. 21103(a)(4), which in part, provides that a 
train employee may not be required or allowed to remain or go on duty 
after that employee has initiated an on-duty period each day for 6 
consecutive days, unless that employee has had at least 48 hours off 
duty at the employee's home terminal. BSR seeks to continue to allow a 
train employee to initiate an on-duty period for 6 consecutive days 
followed by 24 hours off duty. BSR states that it interchanges cars 
with Union Pacific Railroad ``mostly 3 times per week on a quasi-random 
schedule.'' The relief helps ``mitigate [any] problems for [its] 
customers'' involving scheduling by ``providing customer service on an 
overtime basis.'' BSR also states that all work covered by this waiver 
will be performed during daylight hours. BSR included in its petition a 
statement of support from its employees.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate 
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since 
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested parties 
desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they 
should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the 
appropriate docket number and may be submitted at www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Communications received by August 5, 2024 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered if practicable.
    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of DOT's dockets by the name of the 
individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if 
submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to better 
inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including 
any personal information the commenter provides, to 
www.regulations.gov, as described in the system of records notice (DOT/
ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the 
privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-12280 Filed 6-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P