Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review, 33473-33475 [2021-13352]

Download as PDF khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 119 / Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Notices Whittier, AK, to milepost 64.3 of the ARRC mainline. The previous approval includes conditions to reduce risks to public safety and the environment. FRA’s previous approval letters are available in this public Docket for reference. Although ARRC hasn’t yet moved any product commercially by rail, under the terms of FRA’s previous approval, LNG has been moved commercially in portable tanks on other rail networks since 2017 without incident. FRA is basing this approval on risk assessments for similar operations it has approved. An analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act was conducted for this approval; it was determined to be covered by the categorical exclusion in 23 CFR 771.116(c)(15). FRA recognizes that public interest involving the safe transportation of petroleum products and specifically LNG is heightened, given recent regulatory actions. On July 24, 2020, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration published a final rule 1 authorizing the transportation of LNG in cryogenic tank cars with enhanced outer tanks (e.g., DOT–113C120W9). In the final rule, PHMSA indicated that 445 comments were submitted to the docket during the comment period.2 In light of the heightened public interest in the safe transportation of petroleum products, FRA believes it is appropriate to provide public notice and opportunity to comment on FRA’s approval, to ensure that it contains all necessary conditions to ensure the safety of ARRC’s LNG operations. FRA approves ARRC’s request conditioned on compliance with appropriate safety measures. All conditions of FRA’s prior approvals for ARRC remain in effect, with additional conditions added to ensure safe operations. Below, FRA has generally listed its conditions of approval, but further details on thee conditions are available in FRA’s conditional approval letter in the public docket. 1. Mandatory inspections. 2. Mandatory trainings. 3. Load limitations. 4. Reporting requirements. 5. Container number restrictions. 6. Prohibition on double stacking. 7. Train placement requirement. 8. Speed restrictions. 9. Regular oversight. 10. Risk assessment. FRA’s approval is effective through December 31, 2022. If ARRC desires to 1 85 FR 44994. 2 See Docket No. PHMSA–2018–0025 available at www.regulations.gov. VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:19 Jun 23, 2021 Jkt 253001 continue operations under this approval after December 31, 2022, it must notify FRA of its intent to continue operations no later than September 1, 2022. If ARRC desires to modify its operations from those permitted by FRA’s approval letter, it must obtain FRA’s approval before implementing the proposed modification(s). Issued in Washington, DC. John Karl Alexy, Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety Chief Safety Officer. [FR Doc. 2021–13447 Filed 6–23–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Transit Administration [Docket No. FTA–2021–0006] Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of request for comments. 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) approve the extension of a currently approved information collection, previously initiated as a request for emergency OMB approval. The FTA is collecting this information to inform FTA actions to support the transit industry’s COVID–19 recovery efforts. The information collection requirements describe the nature of the information collection and their expected burdens. DATES: Comments must be submitted before August 23, 2021. ADDRESSES: To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by only one of the following methods: 1. Website: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. (Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) electronic docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered comments. 2. Fax: 202–366–7951. 3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00268 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33473 West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001. 4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments, if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has received your comments, include a selfaddressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received, including any personal information, will be posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov. Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M–30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590–0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candace Key, Office of Transit Safety and Oversight—Office of System Safety, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Mail Stop TSO–10, Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366–1783 or candace.key@dot.gov. 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: Transit COVID Response Program (OMB Number: 2132–0581) Background: COVID–19 continues to pose significant challenges for the E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM 24JNN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES 33474 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 119 / Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Notices transit industry. Numerous transit providers have suspended service and a greater number have reduced service. Yet, throughout the COVID–19 public health emergency, transit agencies across the country continue to provide millions of trips to lifeline services, including transporting healthcare personnel and other essential workers on the front line of the Nation’s COVID– 19 response. Transit agencies also offer additional essential services to support communities during the public health emergency, such as meal delivery and Wi-Fi access in underserved areas. Many transit agencies are also serving a critical role in providing free or reduced-cost transportation to vaccination sites and appointments, and using their facilities and vehicles as vaccination sites. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency designates transit workers as essential critical infrastructure workers. Transit agencies and other stakeholders have expressed concerns about the risk of COVID–19 to the transit industry and, along with the FTA, have taken steps to address these concerns. Numerous transit agencies have implemented mitigations to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV–2, the virus that causes COVID–19, among their workers and within their systems. Despite these efforts, frontline transit workers remain at high risk for workrelated exposure to SARS-CoV–2 because their work-related duties must be performed on-site and involve being in close proximity (<6 feet) to the public or to coworkers. In addition, many transit workers fall within racial and socioeconomic demographics that are at increased risk of getting sick and dying from COVID–19. In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID–19 vaccines, and in February 2021 issued an EUA for the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID–19 vaccine. COVID–19 vaccines are available to all individuals, 12 years and older, in every U.S. State and over half of eligible individuals have received at least one vaccine shot. However, challenges concerning vaccine access equity and vaccine confidence continue to pose obstacles to reaching national vaccination goals. As a result, it may take many months before sufficientlyhigh numbers of frontline transit workers will be vaccinated, though their communities will continue to rely on them to provide critical transportation VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:19 Jun 23, 2021 Jkt 253001 services every day—including transportation to vaccination sites. On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13998 titled ‘‘Promoting COVID–19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel’’ ‘‘to save lives and allow all Americans, including the millions of people employed in the transportation industry, to travel and work safely,’’ requiring immediate Federal action to mandate masks on public forms of transportation, including transit. On January 29, 2021, the CDC issued an Order requiring the wearing of masks by travelers, including on public transportation, to prevent spread of the virus that causes COVID–19. The CDC Order requires transportation operators to require that all persons wear masks when boarding, disembarking, and for the duration of travel, with certain exemptions. Operators of transportation hubs, which include bus terminals and subway stations, must require all persons to wear a mask when entering and on the premises of a transportation hub. Subsequently, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a Security Directive on February 1, 2021 that implements the CDC Order that is effective through September 13, 2021. The FTA published a notice of request for emergency OMB approval on March 5, 2021. FTA created an information collection system for respondents to provide the required information to FTA. The system was opened to respondents on March 15, 2021 and the first reports were due on April 16, 2021. The FTA plays a critical role in providing risk-based guidance and support for the COVID–19 recovery efforts of the transit industry. Accordingly, the FTA has required that respondents provide the following information using a fillable electronic online application: Transit Worker Counts: Total number of transit operators, other frontline essential personnel, and other workers during the reporting period. COVID–19 Impacts on Transit Agency Service Levels: Yes or no responses to indicate if the agency suspended service, reduced service, or operated at normal levels during the reporting period. COVID–19 Impacts on Transit Workforce: Cumulative counts of transit worker COVID–19 positives, fatalities, recoveries, and unvaccinated employees during the reporting period, and yes or no responses on whether the agency is requiring workers to be vaccinated, whether the agency has implemented the CDC Order and TSA Security Directive requiring workers and passengers to wear masks, and whether PO 00000 Frm 00269 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 the agency is using FTA funds to provide vaccine access services. Summary of Comments Received FTA received comments to its notice of request for emergency OMB approval from eight respondents during the comment period. Five respondents noted concerns with providing data on the number of vaccinated workers. FTA has clarified that while it expects all respondent agencies to collect and submit COVID– 19 data for all transit workers, if an agency or its contractor is prohibited by State or local laws from collecting data on whether their employees have been vaccinated, the respondent should not include these workers in the ‘‘Number of Workers Not Vaccinated’’ field. Further, the form allows agencies to leave this form blank in such a situation. Two respondents noted concerns with collecting information on worker COVID–19 cases, recoveries, and fatalities. Agencies should submit COVID–19 data, to the extent that they are able to compile such information, for all workers (employees and contractors) that support the operation of the agency. FTA encourages agencies to report data based on their current knowledge and understanding of the COVID–19 impacts on their organization. Two respondents noted concerns with the feasibility of collecting and reporting, and the level of effort required to collect and report required data points. In an effort to reduce the burden on reporters, FTA has leveraged its existing Transit Integrated Appian Development Platform, the platform that hosts the National Transit Database (NTD), to facilitate reporting through an online application. FTA also has made available a Recurring Form Template which was developed to assist Section 5311 recipients with collecting data on behalf of their subrecipients in support of the Transit COVID–19 Response Program Information Collection online application. The template includes the same fields and options as the Recurring Form in the online application. One respondent requested clarification on how FTA will handle late reports. Respondents may submit and/or revise their responses at any time in either the Baseline Form or the Recurring Form to address errors or if updated data becomes available. One respondent requested the exclusion of Section 5311 subrecipients from the reporting requirement. The reporting requirement is a condition of FTA funding assistance. E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM 24JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 119 / Thursday, June 24, 2021 / Notices One respondent requested a 30-day extension of the comment period for the notice of request for emergency OMB approval. Respondents will have the opportunity to provide written comments to this notice. Respondents: FTA will require this information, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5334, from recipients and subrecipients of FTA funds under the Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 5307) or the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program (49 U.S.C. 5311) that operate transit systems or pass through funds to sub-recipients that operate transit systems. Recipients of FTA funds under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities program (49 U.S.C. 5310) may provide this information on a voluntary basis. Estimated Average Total Annual Respondents: 2,390 respondents. Estimated Average Total Responses: 28,680. Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 10,356. Frequency: Monthly through December 31, 2021, or the duration of the COVID–19 public health emergency, whichever comes first. Nadine Pembleton, Director Office of Management Planning. [FR Doc. 2021–13352 Filed 6–23–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION [Docket No. DOT–OST–2021–0075] Notice of Proposed Agency Information Collection Activities; Modification of Existing Information Collection Office of the Secretary, Department of Transportation. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. AGENCY: In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Department of Transportation (the Department) invites public comments on a request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve modifications to a currently approved Information Collection Request (ICR). The forms have been updated to reflect efficiencies in the application process adopted by the Department, provide clarifying information, and make the forms easier for applicants to use. The general process of applying for credit assistance is not changing; applications are still accepted on a rolling basis. The ICR continues to be necessary for the Department to evaluate projects and khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:19 Jun 23, 2021 Jkt 253001 project sponsors for credit program eligibility and creditworthiness as required by law. DATES: We must receive your comments on or before August 23, 2021. ADDRESSES: All comments should reference Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Docket No. DOT–OST– 2021–0075. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection through one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. • Fax: 1–202–493–2251. • Mail Delivery: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, West Building, Room W12– 140, Washington, DC 20590. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Build America Bureau at BuildAmerica@dot.gov or (202) 366– 2300. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 2105–0569. Title: Letter of Interest and Application Forms for the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing and Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act Credit Programs. Type of Review: Modification of existing information collections. Background: The RRIF credit program has its origins in Title V of the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976, 45 U.S.C. 821 et seq., which authorized the Federal Railroad Administration to provide railroads certain financial assistance. This Title V financing program was replaced by the RRIF program under section 7203 of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century of 1998, Public Law 105–178 (1998) (TEA 21). RRIF was subsequently amended by: The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, Public Law 109–59 (2005) (SAFETEA–LU); the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Division A of Public Law 110–432; and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (Pub. L. 114–94) (2015) (FAST Act). All applicants for RRIF credit program assistance are required to submit a completed application. 45 U.S.C. 823(a). The information collection activity request for the RRIF credit program application was most recently approved in 2018 (OMB Control Number 2105–0569). See 83 FR 23525 and 83 FR 35534. The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 1998 was enacted as part of TEA 21. The TIFIA program was subsequently amended by PO 00000 Frm 00270 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 33475 SAFETEA–LU, the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Pub. L. 112–141) (2012) (MAP–21), and the FAST Act. All applicants for TIFIA credit program assistance are required to submit a completed LOI and application. 23 U.S.C. 602(a)(1)(A). The existing information collection activity request for the TIFIA credit program letter of interest and application was most recently approved in 2018 (OMB Control Number 2105–0569). See 83 FR 23525 and 83 FR 35534. The National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau (referenced hereafter as the Build America Bureau or the Bureau), established by the Secretary on July 20, 2016, in accordance with the FAST Act, was created to streamline and improve access to the Department’s Federal credit programs, including RRIF and TIFIA. The Bureau was made responsible for administering the application processes for the TIFIA and RRIF credit programs. To streamline and conform these application processes, the Bureau created a single LOI form and a single application form that can be used by applicants of either credit program. Both the LOI form and the application form have been updated to reflect efficiencies in the application process adopted by the Department, provide clarifying information, and make the forms easier for applicants to use. Because some key statutory differences exist between the two programs’ application processes and eligibility criteria, the forms have been reorganized to clearly identify where an item of information applies only for one of the programs and need not be answered by applicants of the other program. The Department seeks OMB approval to modify the LOI and application. The forms have also been reviewed to ensure that all information requested is necessary for the Department to properly perform its functions in administering its credit programs and updated to reflect the current statutory requirements. The LOI asks the applicant to describe, among other things, the project and its location, purpose and cost; the proposed financial plan, the status of environmental review, and certain information regarding satisfaction of other eligibility requirements under the applicable credit program. The application serves as the official request for credit and, therefore, requires the same information required of the LOI, plus detailed information about the applicant’s legal and management structure, its financial health, the revenue stream pledged to repay the loan, and other information regarding E:\FR\FM\24JNN1.SGM 24JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33473-33475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13352]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket No. FTA-2021-0006]


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, this 
notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration 
(FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the 
extension of a currently approved information collection, previously 
initiated as a request for emergency OMB approval. The FTA is 
collecting this information to inform FTA actions to support the 
transit industry's COVID-19 recovery efforts. The information 
collection requirements describe the nature of the information 
collection and their expected burdens.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before August 23, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once 
into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by 
only one of the following methods:
    1. Website: www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for 
submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. 
(Note: The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT's) electronic 
docket is no longer accepting electronic comments.) All electronic 
submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site 
at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below 
for mailed and hand-delivered comments.
    2. Fax: 202-366-7951.
    3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number 
for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of 
your comments, if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA 
has received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. 
Note that all comments received, including any personal information, 
will be posted and will be available to internet users, without change, 
to www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act 
Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 
19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and 
comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time. Background 
documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candace Key, Office of Transit Safety 
and Oversight--Office of System Safety, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Mail 
Stop TSO-10, Washington, DC 20590 (202) 366-1783 or 
[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: Transit COVID Response Program

(OMB Number: 2132-0581)

    Background: COVID-19 continues to pose significant challenges for 
the

[[Page 33474]]

transit industry. Numerous transit providers have suspended service and 
a greater number have reduced service. Yet, throughout the COVID-19 
public health emergency, transit agencies across the country continue 
to provide millions of trips to lifeline services, including 
transporting healthcare personnel and other essential workers on the 
front line of the Nation's COVID-19 response. Transit agencies also 
offer additional essential services to support communities during the 
public health emergency, such as meal delivery and Wi-Fi access in 
underserved areas. Many transit agencies are also serving a critical 
role in providing free or reduced-cost transportation to vaccination 
sites and appointments, and using their facilities and vehicles as 
vaccination sites. Accordingly, the U.S. Department of Homeland 
Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency designates 
transit workers as essential critical infrastructure workers.
    Transit agencies and other stakeholders have expressed concerns 
about the risk of COVID-19 to the transit industry and, along with the 
FTA, have taken steps to address these concerns. Numerous transit 
agencies have implemented mitigations to limit the transmission of 
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, among their workers and 
within their systems. Despite these efforts, frontline transit workers 
remain at high risk for work-related exposure to SARS-CoV-2 because 
their work-related duties must be performed on-site and involve being 
in close proximity (<6 feet) to the public or to coworkers. In 
addition, many transit workers fall within racial and socioeconomic 
demographics that are at increased risk of getting sick and dying from 
COVID-19.
    In December 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 
issued Emergency Use Authorizations (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech and 
Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, and in February 2021 issued an EUA for the 
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are 
available to all individuals, 12 years and older, in every U.S. State 
and over half of eligible individuals have received at least one 
vaccine shot. However, challenges concerning vaccine access equity and 
vaccine confidence continue to pose obstacles to reaching national 
vaccination goals. As a result, it may take many months before 
sufficiently-high numbers of frontline transit workers will be 
vaccinated, though their communities will continue to rely on them to 
provide critical transportation services every day--including 
transportation to vaccination sites.
    On January 21, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 13998 
titled ``Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International 
Travel'' ``to save lives and allow all Americans, including the 
millions of people employed in the transportation industry, to travel 
and work safely,'' requiring immediate Federal action to mandate masks 
on public forms of transportation, including transit. On January 29, 
2021, the CDC issued an Order requiring the wearing of masks by 
travelers, including on public transportation, to prevent spread of the 
virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC Order requires transportation 
operators to require that all persons wear masks when boarding, 
disembarking, and for the duration of travel, with certain exemptions. 
Operators of transportation hubs, which include bus terminals and 
subway stations, must require all persons to wear a mask when entering 
and on the premises of a transportation hub. Subsequently, the 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a Security 
Directive on February 1, 2021 that implements the CDC Order that is 
effective through September 13, 2021. The FTA published a notice of 
request for emergency OMB approval on March 5, 2021. FTA created an 
information collection system for respondents to provide the required 
information to FTA. The system was opened to respondents on March 15, 
2021 and the first reports were due on April 16, 2021.
    The FTA plays a critical role in providing risk-based guidance and 
support for the COVID-19 recovery efforts of the transit industry. 
Accordingly, the FTA has required that respondents provide the 
following information using a fillable electronic online application: 
Transit Worker Counts: Total number of transit operators, other 
frontline essential personnel, and other workers during the reporting 
period.
    COVID-19 Impacts on Transit Agency Service Levels: Yes or no 
responses to indicate if the agency suspended service, reduced service, 
or operated at normal levels during the reporting period.
    COVID-19 Impacts on Transit Workforce: Cumulative counts of transit 
worker COVID-19 positives, fatalities, recoveries, and unvaccinated 
employees during the reporting period, and yes or no responses on 
whether the agency is requiring workers to be vaccinated, whether the 
agency has implemented the CDC Order and TSA Security Directive 
requiring workers and passengers to wear masks, and whether the agency 
is using FTA funds to provide vaccine access services.

Summary of Comments Received

    FTA received comments to its notice of request for emergency OMB 
approval from eight respondents during the comment period.
    Five respondents noted concerns with providing data on the number 
of vaccinated workers. FTA has clarified that while it expects all 
respondent agencies to collect and submit COVID-19 data for all transit 
workers, if an agency or its contractor is prohibited by State or local 
laws from collecting data on whether their employees have been 
vaccinated, the respondent should not include these workers in the 
``Number of Workers Not Vaccinated'' field. Further, the form allows 
agencies to leave this form blank in such a situation.
    Two respondents noted concerns with collecting information on 
worker COVID-19 cases, recoveries, and fatalities. Agencies should 
submit COVID-19 data, to the extent that they are able to compile such 
information, for all workers (employees and contractors) that support 
the operation of the agency. FTA encourages agencies to report data 
based on their current knowledge and understanding of the COVID-19 
impacts on their organization.
    Two respondents noted concerns with the feasibility of collecting 
and reporting, and the level of effort required to collect and report 
required data points. In an effort to reduce the burden on reporters, 
FTA has leveraged its existing Transit Integrated Appian Development 
Platform, the platform that hosts the National Transit Database (NTD), 
to facilitate reporting through an online application. FTA also has 
made available a Recurring Form Template which was developed to assist 
Section 5311 recipients with collecting data on behalf of their 
subrecipients in support of the Transit COVID-19 Response Program 
Information Collection online application. The template includes the 
same fields and options as the Recurring Form in the online 
application.
    One respondent requested clarification on how FTA will handle late 
reports. Respondents may submit and/or revise their responses at any 
time in either the Baseline Form or the Recurring Form to address 
errors or if updated data becomes available.
    One respondent requested the exclusion of Section 5311 
subrecipients from the reporting requirement. The reporting requirement 
is a condition of FTA funding assistance.

[[Page 33475]]

    One respondent requested a 30-day extension of the comment period 
for the notice of request for emergency OMB approval. Respondents will 
have the opportunity to provide written comments to this notice.
    Respondents: FTA will require this information, pursuant to 49 
U.S.C. 5334, from recipients and subrecipients of FTA funds under the 
Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 5307) or the Formula 
Grants for Rural Areas program (49 U.S.C. 5311) that operate transit 
systems or pass through funds to sub-recipients that operate transit 
systems. Recipients of FTA funds under the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors 
and Individuals with Disabilities program (49 U.S.C. 5310) may provide 
this information on a voluntary basis.
    Estimated Average Total Annual Respondents: 2,390 respondents.
    Estimated Average Total Responses: 28,680.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 10,356.
    Frequency: Monthly through December 31, 2021, or the duration of 
the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever comes first.

Nadine Pembleton,
Director Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2021-13352 Filed 6-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
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