In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is requesting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 3-year approval of an extension without change for a currently approved collection. Although the Public Health Emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic ended in May 2023 and the FTA discontinued COVID-19 reporting requirements in September 2022, the FTA is seeking to renew this information collection to ensure that an existing framework can be readily updated to address future health emergencies. This information collection is required, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 5334, from recipients and sub-recipients of FTA funds under the Urbanized Area Formula Funding program (49 U.S.C. 5307) or the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program (49 U.S.C. 5311) that operate transit systems or pass-through funds to sub-recipients that operate transit systems. The information collection required monthly submissions via web application of data related from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on public transportation agencies, including transit workforce counts; transit service levels; counts of COVID-19 positives, fatalities, recoveries, and unvaccinated employees; whether or not a transit agency has implemented the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Order and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Directives. In the event of future health emergencies, FTA would use this existing framework to update an information collection specific to that emergency. FTA will seek OMB approval of the new data points and any requirements before collecting data. FTA will use this data to inform FTAâs response and recovery actions, including monitoring of safety measures and impacts, development of technical assistance and safety advisories, monitoring use of FTA grant funds to the health emergency considerations, and monitoring compliance with Federal requirements. This information collection includes no changes in burden from the previous collection established. It has been updated to reflect respondent cost with the latest BLS labor rates and salary tables for federal workers.
EO: EO 13998 Name/Subject of EO: Promoting COVID-19 Safety in Domestic and International Travel
US Code:
49 USC 5334
Name of Law: Transportation Administrative Provisions
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.