Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Transit COVID-19 Response Program, 106732 [2024-31194]

Agencies

• Federal Transit Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 249 (Monday, December 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 106732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31194]



[[Page 106732]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2024-0019]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Transit 
COVID-19 Response 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.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before January 29, 2025.

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. Find this 
particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
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 Avenue 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 October 24, 2024, FTA published a 60-day notice (89 FR 
85000) in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the 
agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received (1) comment 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.
    Title: Transit COVID-19 Response Program.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-0581.
    Background: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is requesting a three-
year approval without change of an existing information collection from 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Although the Public Health 
Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic ended in May 2023 and the FTA 
discontinued COVID-19 reporting requirements in September 2022, the FTA 
is seeking to renew this information collection to ensure that an 
existing framework can be readily updated to address future health 
emergencies. This renewal would allow the FTA to respond more swiftly 
to future public health emergencies by gathering data on their impact 
on the transit industry.
    FTA began collecting monthly data in April 2021 related to impacts 
from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on public transportation 
agencies, including transit workforce counts; transit service levels; 
counts of COVID-19 positives, fatalities, recoveries, and unvaccinated 
employees; whether or not a transit agency has implemented the U.S. 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order and 
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Directive 
requiring workers and passengers to wear masks; and whether or not the 
agency used FTA funds to support vaccine access services. FTA used this 
data to inform FTA's COVID-19 response and recovery actions, including 
monitoring of safety measures and impacts, development of technical 
assistance and safety advisories, monitoring use of FTA grant funds to 
address COVID-19 considerations, and monitoring compliance with Federal 
requirements.
    Current Action: Extension without change of a currently approved 
collection.
    Respondents: Recipients and sub-recipients of FTA funds under the 
Urbanized Area Formula Funding program or the Formula Grants for Rural 
Areas program 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 were requested to provide this information on a 
voluntary basis.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondents: 2,390.
    Estimated Annual Total Responses: 28,680.
    Estimated Annual Burden Hours on Respondents: 10,356.
    Frequency: As needed.

Kusum Dhyani,
Director, Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2024-31194 Filed 12-27-24; 8:45 am]
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