[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 201 (Friday, October 17, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62517-62518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24724]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[Docket No. FTA-2014-0006]


Notice of Request for Comments on Updates to National Transit 
Database Information Collection

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration (FTA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments, extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: FTA is extending the comment period for the notice of request 
for comments, which was published on August 19, 2014. The original 
comment period closed on September 18, 2014. The extension is based on 
concerns expressed to FTA that the September 18 closing date did not 
provide sufficient time to review and provide comprehensive comments on 
two of the proposed changes. FTA agrees that the comment period for 
these two proposed changes should be extended. Therefore, FTA has 
extended the comment period by 30 days from the original deadline to 
October 20, 2014. Additionally, FTA will continue to accept and review 
comments arriving after the extended deadline to the fullest extent 
practicable. This extension will provide those interested in commenting 
additional time to discuss, evaluate, and submit responses to the 
docket.

DATES: The comment period for the proposed rule published on August 19, 
2014 (79 FR 49146), is extended. Comments must be received on or before 
October 20, 2014. Any comments filed after this deadline will be 
considered to the extent practicable.

ADDRESSES: Please submit your comments by only one of the following 
methods, identifying your submission by Docket Number (FTA-2014-0006).
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Submit electronic comments and 
other data to http://www.regulations.gov.
     U.S. Mail: Send comments to Docket Operations; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., West Building 
Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Hand Delivery or Courier: Take comments to Docket 
Operations in Room W12-140 of the West Building, Ground Floor, at 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: Fax comments to Docket Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, at (202) 493-2251.
    Instructions: You must include the agency name (Federal Transit 
Administration) and Docket Number (FTA-2014-0006) for this notice, at 
the beginning of your comments. If sent by mail, submit two copies of 
your comments. Due to security procedures in effect since October 2001, 
mail received through the U.S. Postal Service may be subject to delays. 
Parties submitting comments should consider using an express mail firm 
to ensure their prompt filing of any submissions not filed 
electronically or by hand. If you wish to get confirmation that FTA 
received your comments, you must include a self-addressed stamped 
postcard. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided. You 
may review U.S. DOT's complete

[[Page 62518]]

Privacy Act Statement published in the Federal Register on April 11, 
2000, at 65 FR 19477-8 or http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Gates, National Transit Database 
Program Manager, Office of Budget and Policy, (202) 366-1794, or email: 
[email protected].
    Office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    The August 19 notice FR notice, for which we are extending the 
comment period here, announces FTA's intention to revise certain 
aspects of National Transit Database (NTD) reporting guidance as 
described in the NTD Reporting Manual. The changes primarily relate to 
urbanized area transit providers. FTA is seeking public comment before 
implementing these changes to 49 U.S.C. 5335 National Transit Database.

II. Background

    The August 19 notice proposes various changes to the requirements 
for the Urbanized Area Systems reporting to the NTD. These changes are 
primarily updates to the guidance in the NTD Reporting Manual, and FTA 
proposes that these changes will take effect for the FY 2014 data 
reporting cycle, which will begin this Fall. These changes do not apply 
to rural transit systems reporting through the NTD Rural Module. The 
proposed changes are as follows:

A. Clarification for reporting subset data on ADA paratransit services
B. Clarification on the reporting of contractual relationships
C. Updates to definition of the bus rapid transit mode
D. Guidance for service on HOT lanes
E. Updates to the definition of commuter service and allocation of data 
attributable to an urbanized area
F. Proposed elimination of consolidated reporting and update of small 
systems waiver reporting
G. Clarification on consistent use of transit system names and 
organization types
H. Policy clarification allowing delegation of CEO certification 
responsibility
I. Elimination of unnecessary reporting requirements
J. Updated guidance for sampling of passenger miles
K. Expansion of capital asset reporting required by MAP-21

    Please refer to the original proposed guidance as published on 
August 19, 2014 (79 FR 49146) for a more detailed discussion of these 
changes.

III. Extension

    Most changes proposed in this notice are simple updates to the 
guidance in the NTD Reporting Manual. FTA did not expect extensive 
comments on these changes and will not be extending the comment 
deadline for them. The two proposed changes for which we have 
specifically been asked to extend the comment period, and which are 
covered under this notice are:

    A. Clarification for reporting subset data on ADA paratransit 
services; and
    K. Expansion of capital asset reporting required by MAP-21.

    Additional comments on the other proposals will be considered as 
time allows.

Therese McMillan,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-24724 Filed 10-16-14; 8:45 am]
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