Transit Folks Get 2025 Emergency Rule-Breaking Hotline
Published Date: 1/21/2025
Notice
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is setting up a special Emergency Relief Docket for 2025. This lets transit grantees and subgrantees ask for temporary breaks from rules if a big emergency or disaster hits. When emergencies happen, FTA will open the docket online so affected groups can quickly request help and keep public transit running smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Emergency Relief Docket Established
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has opened an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2025 (docket FTA-2025-0001). Transit grantees and subgrantees may submit requests for temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements during a national or regional emergency or disaster; the docket is posted at https://www.regulations.gov and FTA will announce openings on https://www.transit.dot.gov.
Fast Temporary Relief for Administrative Rules
A petition for relief from administrative requirements will be conditionally granted for three business days from submission. If FTA does not respond within three business days, the petitioner may assume the request is granted for up to three months unless FTA states otherwise.
Immediate Evacuation Assistance Allowed
Under FTA's Charter Rule, grantees and subgrantees may assist with evacuations or other emergency movement of people without submitting a petition when responding to an emergency declared by the President, governor, or mayor, or when immediate action is needed before a formal declaration. If such emergency transportation continues for more than 45 calendar days, the grantee must follow the Emergency Relief Docket procedures.
Buy America Waivers Excluded From Docket
Buy America waiver requests will not be granted through the Emergency Relief Docket; grantees must follow the procedures in 49 CFR 661.7 and 661.9 for Buy America waivers.
Multiple Ways to Submit Emergency Petitions
Grantees and subgrantees can submit petitions to the Emergency Relief Docket via regulations.gov, by mail, hand delivery, fax, email, or by asking FTA regional offices or headquarters staff to submit on their behalf if they lack electronic access.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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