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.