Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration
- [FTA Docket No. FTA 2026-0299]
AGENCY:
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation.
ACTION:
Notice of request for comments.
SUMMARY:
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a request for an extension without change to an existing information collection: 49 U.S.C. 5317 New Freedom Program.
49 U.S.C. 5317DATES:
Comments must be submitted before December 7, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by only one of the following methods:
1. Website:www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site at www.regulations.gov. Commenters should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered comments.
www.regulations.gov2. Fax: 202-366-7951.
3. Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
4. Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
Instructions: You must include the agency name and docket number for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received, including any personal information, will be posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to www.regulations.gov. You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477), or you may visit www.regulations.gov.
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to www.regulations.gov at any time. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Destiny Buchanan at destiny.buchanan@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) the necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection.
Title:49 U.S.C. 5317 New Freedom Program.
OMB Number: 2132-0565.
Background: The purpose of the New Freedom program was to make grants available to assist states and designated recipients 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. The New Freedom program was repealed in 2012 with the enactment of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). However, funds previously authorized for programs repealed by MAP-21 remain available for their originally authorized purposes until the period of availability expires, the funds are fully expended, the funds are rescinded by Congress, or the funds are otherwise reallocated.
According to data from the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), open grants have decreased to 13. This represents a 60% reduction in the respondent universe from the previous PRA renewal cycle as FTA collaborates with grantees to close out legacy grants. As older grants are fully expended, project management report submissions continue to decline. This downward trend will persist until all remaining grants are closed.
To meet ongoing oversight responsibilities, FTA must continue to collect information while funds remain active. Grant recipients are required to make information available to the public and publish a program of projects identifying the subrecipients and projects receiving financial assistance. FTA uses this information to monitor grantee progress in implementing and completing project activities.
Respondents: State or local government, private non-profit organizations and public transportation authorities.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 13.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 156.
Frequency: Annually.
Kusum Dhyani,
Director, Office of Management Planning.
[FR Doc. 2026-20515 Filed 10-6-26; 8:45 am]
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