02-7365. Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review

AGENCY:

Federal Transit Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of request for comments.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 35001 et seq.), this notice announces that the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below has been forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for extension of the currently approved information collection. The Federal Register Notice with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments was published on December 27, 2001.

DATES:

Comments must be submitted before April 26, 2002. A comment to OMB is most effective if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Sylvia L. Marion, Office of Administration, Office of Management Planning, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Title: 49 U.S.C. Section 5335(a) and (b) National Transit Database (OMB Number: 2132-0008)

Abstract: 49 U.S.C. Section 5335(a) and (b) require the Secretary of Transportation to maintain a reporting system by uniform categories to accumulate mass transportation financial and operating information and a uniform system of accounts and records. Each year, transit authorities that receive FTA funding submit data to the National Transit Database. The data that is submitted is used in statutory formulae to apportion over $4 billion in federal funds back to those agencies. In addition, federal, state, and local government, transit agencies/boards, labor unions, manufacturers, researchers, consultants and universities use the National Transit Database for making transit related decisions. State and local governments also use the National Transit Database in allocating funds under 49 U.S.C. Section 5307. National Transit Database information is essential for understanding cost, ridership and other national performance trends, including transit's share of urban travel. It would be difficult to determine the future structure of FTA programs, to set policy, and to make funding and other decisions relating to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nation's transit operations without the National Transit Database.

Estimated Total Annual Burden: 238,136 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: March 22, 2002.

Timothy B. Wolgast,

Deputy Associate Administrator for Administration.