[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 2327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-1230]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Petition for Waivers of Compliance
In accordance with 49 CFR 211.9 and 211.41, notice is hereby given
that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has received a request
for waivers of compliance with certain requirements of the Federal
safety laws and regulations. The petition is described below, including
the regulatory provisions involved, the nature of the relief being
requested and the petitioner's arguments in favor of relief.
Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRA)
According to SCRA, because of increasing ridership, the failure of
a contractor to produce commuter cars for Caltran and a 15 to 20 month
lead time to procure new cars, SCRA has arranged to lease up to 14 bi-
level passenger cars from GO Transit of Toronto, Ontario. SCRA
presently owns and operates 94 bi-level cars over Metrolink, a regional
rail network which links downtown Los Angeles, California, and
surrounding counties. The GO Transit cars being leased are nearly
identical to the 94 cars already owned by SCRA. The term of the lease
is projected to extend over an 18 month period (January 1996 through
July 1997). SCRA states it intends to use GO Transit cars in concert
with SCRA control cars to ensure American Disability Act (ADA)
compliance.
SCRA seeks waivers of compliance from certain sections of the FRA
regulations which are described herein.
FRA Docket Number SA-96-1
SCRA is requesting that it be permitted to operate GO Transit bi-
level commuter passenger cars which do not fully comply with the
Railroad Safety Appliance Standards (49 CFR Part 231). Section
231.14(b)(2) (``Passenger-train cars without platforms'') requires that
the top tread of the sill step have a minimum clear depth of 8 inches.
Section 231.14(c)(3) requires that the side corner handholds be located
specifically in relation to the center line of the coupler. SCRA says
that these safety appliances may not be properly configured.
FRA Docket Number RSGM-96-1
The SCRA seeks a temporary waiver of compliance with certain
provisions of the Safety Glazing Standards (49 CFR Part 223) for the GO
Transit passenger cars. The glazing material installed in the cars is
manufactured to CSA-D263-1972 and American National Standards
Institute's (ANSI) Safety Glazing Materials for Glazing Motor Vehicles
Operating on Land Highways (ANSI Z76.1-1983). The side facing and end
facing glazing material are not in compliance with 49 CFR Section
223.15.
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings
by submitting written reviews, data, or comments. FRA does not
anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these
proceedings since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any
interested party desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should
notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver Petition Docket Number SA-96-1)
and must be submitted in triplicate to the Docket Clerk, Chief Counsel,
Federal Railroad Administration, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street,
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Communications received within 30 days of
the date of publication of this notice will be considered by FRA before
final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be
considered as far as practicable. All written communications concerning
these proceedings are available for examination during regular business
hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) in Room 8201, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street
S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590. Issued in Washington, D.C. on January 19,
1996.
Phil Olekszyk,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety Compliance and Program
Development.
[FR Doc. 96-1230 Filed 1-24-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-M
