[Federal Register: March 6, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 44)]
[Notices]               
[Page 13623-13624]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06mr01-155]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Transit Administration

[FTA Docket No. 2001-9007]

 
Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information 
Collection Requests (ICRs) abstracted below have been forwarded to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for extension of the currently 
approved information collections. The Federal Register Notice with a 
60-day comment period soliciting comments was published on December 13, 
2000.

DATES: Comments must be submitted before April 5, 2001. A comment to 
OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sylvia L. Barney-Marion, Office of 
Administration, Office of Management Planning, (2020 366-6680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5310--Capital Assistance Program for 
Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities and Section 5311--
Nonurbanized Area Formula Program (OMB Number 2132-0500).
    Abstract: The Capital Assistance Program for Elderly Persons and 
Persons with Disabilities provides financial assistance for the 
specialized transportation service needs of elderly persons and persons 
with disabilities. The program is administered by the States and may be 
used in all areas (urbanized, small urban, and rural). The Nonurbanized 
Area Formula Program provides financial assistance for the provision of 
public transportation services in nonurbanized areas and is also 
administered by the States. FTA is authorized to review applications 
for federal financial assistance to determine eligibility and 
compliance with statutory and administrative requirements by 49 U.S.C. 
5310 and 5311. Information collected during the application stage 
includes the project budget, which identifies funds requested for 
project implementation; a program of projects, which identifies 
subrecipients to be funded, the amount of funding that each will 
receive, and a description of the projects to be funded; the project 
implementation plan; a list of annual certifications and assurances; 
and public hearings notice, certification and transcript. The 
applications must contain sufficient information to enable FTA to make 
the findings required by law to enforce the program requirements. 
Information collected during the project management stage includes an 
annual financial report, an annual program status report, and pre-award 
and post-delivery audits. The annual financial report and program 
status report provide a basis for monitoring approved projects to 
ensure timely and appropriate expenditure of federal funds by grant 
recipients.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 6,540 hours.
    Title: Americans with Disabilities Act (OMB Number 2132-0555).
    Abstract: On July 26, 1990, the President signed into law civil 
rights legislation entitled, ``The Americans with Disabilities Act of 
1990'' (ADA) (Pub. L. 101-336). It contains sweeping changes for 
individuals with disabilities in every major area of American life. One 
key area of the legislation addresses transportation services provided 
by public and private entities. Some of the requirements under the ADA 
are: (1) No transportation entity shall discriminate against an 
individual with a disability in connection with the provision of 
transportation service; (2) All new vehicles purchased by public and 
private entities after August 25, 1990, must be readily accessible to 
and usable by persons with disabilities, including individuals who use 
wheelchairs; (3) Public entities that provide fixed route transit must 
provide complementary paratransit service for persons with 
disabilities, who are unable to use the fixed route system, that is 
comparable to the level of service provided to individuals without 
disabilities; and (4) Public entities operating light, rapid or 
commuter rail systems must designate key stations which were to be made 
accessible by July 26, 1993, unless the operator received a statutory 
time extension.
    If FTA reasonably believes that an entity may not be in compliance, 
FTA

[[Page 13624]]

may require periodic reports on a quarterly or annual basis. The 
information collected provides FTA with a basis for monitoring 
compliance. In addition, public entities, including recipients of FTA 
funds, are required to provide information during triennial reviews, 
compliant investigations, resolutions of complaints, and compliance 
reviews.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 40,000 hours.
    Title: Pre-Award and Post Delivery Review Requirements (OMB Number 
2132-0544).
    Abstract: Under the Federal Transit Laws, at 49 U.S.C. 5323(l), 
grantees must certify that pre-award and post-delivery reviews will be 
conducted when using FTA funds to purchase revenue service vehicles. 
FTA regulation 49 CFR Part 663 implements this law by specifying the 
actual certificates that must be submitted by each bidder to assure 
compliance with the Buy America, contract specification, and vehicle 
safety requirements for rolling stock. The information collected on the 
certification forms is necessary for FTA grantees to meet the 
requirements of 49 U.S.C. 5323(l).
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 3,024 hours.

ADDRESSES: All written comments must refer to the docket number that 
appears at the top of this document and be submitted to the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: FTA Desk 
Officer.
    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.

    Issued: February 28, 2001.
Dorrie Y. Aldrich,
Associate Administrator for Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-5292 Filed 3-5-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-57-M