Federal Transit Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) invites public comment on revisions to the agency's policy guidance for the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. These revisions are intended to amend FTA's CIG Policy Guidance last published in January 2023 and are a comprehensive update of the CIG Policy Guidance for notice and comment, incorporating feedback FTA received in response to its Request for Information published in the Federal Register in July 2021. The proposed guidance has been placed in the docket and posted on the FTA website. This policy guidance continues to complement FTA's regulations that govern the CIG program. FTA is also posing questions concerning the CIG New Starts and Small Starts Land Use and Economic Development Project Justification Criteria.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is proposing minimum safety standards for rail transit roadway worker protection (RWP) to ensure the safe operation of public transportation systems and to prevent accidents, incidents, fatalities, and injuries to transit workers who may access the roadway in the performance of work. This NPRM would apply to rail transit agencies (RTAs) covered by the State Safety Oversight (SSO) program, SSO agencies (SSOAs), and rail transit workers who access the roadway to perform work. It would set minimum standards for RWP program elements, including an RWP manual and track access guide; requirements for on-track safety and supervision, job safety briefings, good faith safety challenges, and reporting unsafe acts and conditions and near-misses; development and implementation of risk-based redundant protections for workers; and establishment of RWP training and qualification and RWP compliance monitoring activities. RTAs would be expected to comply with these Federal standards as a baseline and use their existing Safety Management System (SMS) processes to determine any additional mitigations appropriate to address the level of RWP risk identified. SSOAs would oversee and enforce implementation of the RWP program requirements.

This notice announces final environmental actions taken by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regarding the METRORapid University Corridor Project, Houston, Harris County, Texas. The purpose of this notice is to publicly announce FTA's environmental decisions on the subject project, and to activate the limitation on any claims that may challenge these final environmental actions.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is issuing a new Circular 7050.1C to address joint development projects using FTA funds or FTA-funded property. The purpose of these changes is to incorporate changes made by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), implemented as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, that amended the definition of a ``capital project.''

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the renewal of the Transit Advisory Committee for Safety (TRACS) charter. The current TRACS charter expires on February 2, 2024. The U.S. Department of Transportation and FTA are committed to ensuring the safety of the Nation's public transportation systems and reducing the safety risk to both riders and transit workers. The Secretary of Transportation (Secretary) has determined that renewing TRACS is necessary and in the public interest.

By this notice, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is establishing an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2024, so grantees and subgrantees affected by a national or regional emergency or disaster may request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements.

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.