E7-24400. Notice of Request for a New Collection

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Federal Transit Administration invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) to approve a new collection: 49 U.S.C. 5317, New Freedom Program. The information to be collected will be used to accumulate mass transportation financial and operating information using a uniform system of accounts and records. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments was published on October 2, 2007.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before January 16, 2008. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

LaStar Matthews, Office of Administration, Office of Management Planning, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 

Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5317, New Freedom Program (OMB Number: 2132-NEW).

Abstract: Title 49 U.S.C. Section 5317 authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to states and designated recipients in urbanized areas of 200,000 persons or greater to reduce barriers to transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options available to people with disabilities beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Grant recipients are required to make information available to the public and to publish a program of projects which identifies the subrecipients and projects for which the State or designated recipient is applying for financial assistance. FTA uses the information to determine eligibility for funding and to monitor the grantees' progress in implementing and completing project activities. FTA collects performance information from designated recipients in rural areas, small urbanized areas and other direct recipients for small urbanized areas annually and collects performance information from designated recipients in large urbanized areas on a quarterly basis. The information submitted ensures FTA's compliance with applicable federal laws and OMB Circular A-102.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 122,374 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: December 10, 2007.

Ann Linnertz,

Associate Administrator for Administration.