This is a request to revise the currently approved information collection associated with the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to update 49 CFR Part 665, the Bus Testing Regulation. The NPRM, published on June 26, 2026 Vol. 91, No.122 (RIN 2132-AB40), proposes amendments and clarifications to the regulation intended to improve the efficiency of the testing program for stakeholders, enhance the utility and value of bus testing reports for FTA recipients, and facilitate the removal of obsolete test reports. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) designated this NPRM as "non-significantâ. The response to this collection remains required to obtain or retain a benefit, as federal funds may not be obligated or expended for the acquisition of a new transit bus unless the vehicle satisfies all requirements of FTAâs Bus Testing Program. Respondents to this collection are transit bus manufacturers who submit testing requests to FTA when introducing a new bus model or when major modifications are made to a model previously tested. All information is submitted through FTAâs online bus testing portal. Required information includes bus model and manufacturer details, vehicle specifications, documentation demonstrating compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and descriptions of major design changes, if applicable. This NPRM proposes amendments to the Bus Testing regulation at 49 CFR Part 665 to enhance clarity by defining previously undefined terms, codify longstanding routine practices, improve testing quality, alleviate regulatory burdens by relaxing certain testing obligations, provide flexibility to accommodate advancements in bus technology, and establish a 10-year expiration for Bus Testing Reports to ensure they accurately reflect current production models. The FTA's economic analysis attributes an increase in burden to the introduction of that 10-year expiration for bus testing reports; a requirement not present under current regulations. This projected increase is detailed further in the ROCIS Burden "short statement" and is supported by the data in Figure 6 of the NPRM economic analysis, which is provided in the "supplementary documents" section in ROCIS.
US Code:
49 USC 5323(c)
Name of Law: General Provisions on Assistance
PL:
Pub.L. 112 - 141 5318(e)
Name of Law: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century
US Code:
49 USC 5318
Name of Law: Bus Testing Facility
US Code:
49 USC 5318
Name of Law: Fixing Americaâs Surface Transportation (FAST)
US Code:
49 USC 5318
Name of Law: Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
The NPRM economic analysis attributes the increase in burden to the introduction of a 10-year expiration for bus testing reports, a requirement not present under current regulations. According to the economic analysis, which projects the expiration of active bus testing reports from 2027 through 2036, FTA anticipates an average of 28 bus models will require retesting annually as these reports expire. FTA does not expect this provision to result in an increased frequency of failed tests, as the models undergoing retesting have already successfully completed the Bus Testing Program.
$88,645
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Marcel Bellanger 2023660725
Reginfo record details
No
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.
2026 Bus Testing PRA Supporting Statement NPRM Final V5 7.20.26.docx
Bus Testing Portal User Manual with Screenshots.pdf
Bus Testing Program Request