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Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Charter Service Operations

Publication: Federal Register
Agency: Federal Transit Administration
Byline: Nadine Pembleton
Date: 30 January 2024
Subjects: American Government , Buses 
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 30, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5992-5993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01794]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. FTA 2024-0002]


Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Charter 
Service Operations

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

[[Page 5993]]

ICR describe the nature of the information collection and their 
expected burdens for the Charter Service Operations.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before February 29, 2024.

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. You can find 
this particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under 
30-day 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 tia.swain@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), 
sec. 2, Public Law 104-13, 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 November 15, 2023, FTA published a 60-day notice (88 FR 
78456) in the Federal Register soliciting comments on the ICR that the 
agency was seeking OMB approval. FTA received no comments 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: Charter Service Operations.
    OMB Control Number: 2132-0543
    Background: FTA's Charter Service Regulations protects private 
charter operators from unauthorized competition from FTA grant 
recipients. In essence, the charter regulations were implemented to 
ensure that transit agencies, subsidized with Federal money, do not 
unfairly compete with privately owned bus companies. Under the charter 
rules, with limited exceptions, local transit agencies are restricted 
from operating chartered services. Charter service means, but does not 
include demand response service to individuals:
     Transportation provided by a recipient at the request of a 
third party for the exclusive use of a bus or van for a negotiated 
price. The following features may be characteristic of charter service:
    [cir] A third party pays the transit provider a negotiated price 
for the group,
    [cir] Any fares charged to individual members of the group are 
collected by a third party,
    [cir] The service is not part of the transit provider's regularly 
scheduled service, or is offered for a limited period of time, or
    [cir] A third party determines the origin and destination of the 
trip as well as scheduling; or
     Transportation provided by a recipient to the public for 
events or functions that occur on an irregular basis or for a limited 
duration and:
    [cir] A premium fare is charged that is greater than the usual or 
customary fixed route fare; or
    [cir] The service is paid for in whole or in part by a third party.
    There are limited exceptions when a grantee may provide charter 
service, including:
     Official government business,
     Qualified Human Service Organizations (elderly, persons 
with disabilities, and low- income individuals),
     When no registered charter provider responds to a notice 
sent by a recipient,
     Leasing (must exhaust all available vehicles first),
     By agreement with all registered charter providers,
     Petitions to the Administrator: Events of regional or 
national significance, or hardship.
    Respondents: Transit Agencies and Private Operators.
    Estimated Annual Responses: 2,000 respondents.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 359 hours.
    Frequency: Annually, bi-annually, quarterly, and as required.

Nadine Pembleton,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-01794 Filed 1-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-P




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