Keeping Tabs on Transit Assets: More of the Same Reporting
Published Date: 3/26/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration wants to keep collecting info through the National Transit Asset Management (TAM) System, which helps track and care for public transit vehicles and equipment. This affects transit agencies across the country and won’t change how they report, but they need to send comments by May 26, 2026. No new costs or big changes are planned—just a smooth extension to keep things running.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Large Annual Reporting Burden for Agencies
FTA estimates 932 annual responses to the TAM information collection with an estimated total annual burden of 378,004 hours and an annual frequency. That averages to substantial staff time each year for covered agencies to compile and submit required asset inventories and condition data.
TAM Reporting Continues Without Change
The Federal Transit Administration is requesting a 3-year extension without change to the National Transit Asset Management (TAM) information collection (OMB No. 2132-0579). If you are a recipient or subrecipient of Federal assistance under 49 U.S.C. Chapter 53 that owns, operates, or manages transit capital assets, you must continue to maintain a TAM Plan, perform condition assessments, set annual performance targets, and report this information annually.
Tier I vs Tier II Plan Requirements
TAM distinguishes Tier I and Tier II agencies: Tier I agencies operating more than 100 vehicles in revenue service, or any rail operator, must develop individual TAM plans. Tier II agencies operating 100 or fewer vehicles and no rail may prepare their own plan or join a Group TAM Plan sponsored by a State DOT or other eligible recipient.
Data Informs Funding and Transparency
FTA will use the collected TAM data to evaluate compliance, inform federal funding decisions, and provide Congress and the public with transparency about the condition and investment needs of transit assets. The TAM System is intended to support consistent performance measurement and better targeting of investment priorities nationwide.
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Key Dates
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