Federal Transit Administration 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is extending the comment period for the advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding transit worker hours of service and fatigue risk management, published on October 30, 2023, with the original comment period closing on December 29, 2023. The extension is based on concerns from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) that the comment period did not provide sufficient time to review and provide comprehensive comments to the ANPRM due to two Federal holidays and the closure of many offices between Christmas and New Year's Day. FTA recognizes that others interested in commenting may have similar concerns and agrees that the comment period should be extended.

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.

This notice announces the calendar year 2024 drug and alcohol random testing rates for specific recipients of FTA financial assistance. The minimum random drug testing rate will remain at 50 percent, and the random alcohol testing rate will remain at 10 percent.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), in cooperation with the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro), Austin Transit Partnership (ATP), and the City of Austin (the City), is issuing this notice to advise the public that the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Blue Line light rail transit (LRT) project as part of Project Connect in Austin, Texas is rescinded.

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.

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.

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) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection: Charter Service Operations.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a public meeting of the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS).

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) hereby establishes Interim Guidance to provide clarity on an asset disposition option under the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022. Under the new provision, FTA may authorize the transfer of real property acquired or improved with Federal assistance, but no longer needed for the originally authorized purpose, to a local governmental authority, nonprofit organization, or other third-party entity if certain statutory criteria are met.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is proposing changes to requirements for the Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP). The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), established new requirements for FTA's Public Transportation Safety Program that relate to PTSCTP requirements. The proposed revisions would streamline the PTSCTP communication process and clarify voluntary PTSCTP participation and refresher training requirements. FTA seeks comments from project sponsors, the transit industry, unions, other stakeholders, and the public on the proposed changes to the regulation.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $196,906,663 in competitive grants under the fiscal year (FY) 2024 Competitive Grants for Rail Vehicle Replacement Program (Rail Vehicle Replacement Program). As required by Federal public transportation law, Rail Vehicle Replacement Program funds will be allocated competitively to assist in the funding of capital projects to replace rail rolling stock. FTA may allocate additional funding made available to the program prior to the announcement of project selections.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of and requests comments on a Programmatic Assessment of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transit Projects.

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) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection: Title VI as it Applies to FTA Grant Programs.

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) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection: Pre- Award, Post Delivery Audit Requirements Under Buy America.

The FTA, in cooperation with the New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ TRANSIT), is issuing this Notice to advise the public that we are rescinding the 2007 Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a previous proposal for the Restoration of Rail Service in the Northern Branch Corridor Project from North Bergen to Englewood in Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey.

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.

This notice seeks comments on how the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Tribal Transit competitive program and technical assistance to Tribes is administered. This notice also introduces FTA's consultation process and schedule for implementation.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $13,460,978 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023 funding under the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning (TOD Pilot Program). As required by Federal public transportation law and subject to funding availability, funds will be awarded competitively to support comprehensive planning or site- specific planning associated with new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects. FTA may award additional funding that is made available to the TOD Pilot Program prior to the announcement of project selections.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA), as lead Federal agency, and the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit), as local project sponsor and joint lead agency, intend to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the benefits and impacts of the proposed Operations and Maintenance Facility (OMF) South project in King County, Washington.

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) to approve a new information collection: Public Transportation Safety Program.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will hold a virtual listening session concerning FTA's Bus Compartment Redesign and Bus of the Future initiatives. This meeting will be a forum for stakeholders to give feedback on key issues, including operator safety, passenger safety, accessibility, bus component safety, reduction of bus customization, and emerging technologies related to transit vehicles. This online meeting is open to the public.

On December 29, 2022, the United States Census Bureau published a notice in the Federal Register announcing the qualifying urban areas from the 2020 Census. The FTA and FHWA are announcing that all urbanized areas (UZA) with populations greater than 200,000, as determined by the 2020 Census, are hereby identified as Transportation Management Areas (TMA). The FTA and FHWA are taking this action in compliance with the agencies' authorizing statutes. This action supersedes the agencies' previous designations of TMAs made in the Federal Register.

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) to approve the extension of a currently approved information collection.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces a public meeting of the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS).

This final rule amends the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulated industry drug testing program to include oral fluid testing. This additional methodology for drug testing will give employers a choice that will help combat employee cheating on urine drug tests and provide a less intrusive means of achieving the safety goals of the program. In order for an employer to implement oral fluid testing under the Department's regulation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will need to certify at least two laboratories for oral fluid testing, which has not yet been done. The final rule includes other provisions to update the Department's regulation and to harmonize, as needed, with the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs using Oral Fluid established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In addition, this rule amends the FAA, FMCSA, FRA and FTA regulations to ensure consistency within the Department of Transportation and by removing or adjusting references to the word ``urine'' and/or add references to oral fluid, as well as removing or amending some definitions for conformity and to make other miscellaneous technical changes or corrections.