Document
Notice of Petition for Extension and Modification of Waiver of Compliance
This document provides the public notice that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) petitioned FRA to extend an existing waiver of certain regulations related ...
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by letter dated April 7, 2025, SCVTA petitioned FRA for an extension of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR parts 219, 221, 223, 225, 229, 231, 238, and 239. SCVTA seeks additional relief from parts 243 and 270. The relevant Docket Number is FRA-1999-6254.
Specifically, SCVTA seeks to extend the terms and conditions of its existing shared use waiver, requesting the following extended relief: partial relief from part 225 only for employee injuries; and full relief from some parts of multiple regulations (
i.e.,49 CFR parts 219, 221, 223, 229, 231, 238, and 239).[]
In addition, SCVTA requests new relief from parts 243 and 270. In its petition, SCVTA states that its safety-related employees must undergo training and recertification according to the requirements of part 672, Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program, which duplicate the requirements of part 243. Similarly, SCVTA notes that it complies with the requirements of part 673, Public Transportation Agency Safety Plans, which involves similar information as what is required in part 270.
The relief in this docket supports the continued operation of the SCVTA rail fixed guideway transit system in the Vasona Corridor. SCVTA shares this corridor with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), as they operate in parallel for 5 miles of the existing 15-mile-long UPRR Vasona Industrial Lead; and SCVTA inspects, maintains, and repairs all tracks, signal systems, and automatic warning devices along the subject freight track. In support of its request, SCVTA states that it remains committed to providing safe and reliable public transportation services.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov.
Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings by submitting written views, 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 and a public hearing, they should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for their request.
Communications received by August 11, 2025 will be considered by FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be considered if practicable.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications and comments received into any of FRA's dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits comments from the public to inform its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any personal information the commenter provides, to
www.regulations.gov,
as described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at
https://www.transportation.gov/privacy.
See also
https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice
for the privacy notice of
regulations.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.