The purpose of this new mandatory
collection is to collect information from Amtrak on the establish
metrics and minimum standards for measuring the performance and
service quality of intercity passenger train operations. This
emergency request is for FRA to ONLY collected monthly Ridership
data metrics and Certified Schedule metrics from Amtrak. Upon
approval of this emergency request, FRA will follow the normal
clearance procedures for the entire information collection
associated with this final rule.
This emergency request
is for a new new information collection. On November 16, 2020, the
FRA Metrics and Minimum Standards for Intercity Passenger Rail
Service final rule was published. This rulemaking is critically
important to Amtrak, railroads that host Amtrak services, and the
train-riding public, by establishing uniform measures to understand
Amtrak train performance. We believe the rule will result in some
immediate improvement to Amtrak passenger train performance, and it
will also provide much needed guidance to Congress in its
evaluation of Amtrak services that may require billions of dollars
in supplemental funding, due to declining ridership in the face of
COVID-19.
PL:
Pub.L. 110 - 432 207 Name of Law: Passenger Rail Investment and
Improvement Act of 2008
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.