Transit Agency Seeks More Time Around Railroad Safety Rules
Published Date: 11/10/2026
Notice
Summary
Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA) wants to keep their special permission to skip some railroad safety rules for passenger trains a bit longer. This affects how they test equipment like brakes, emergency lights, and communication systems. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by January 11, 2027—no extra costs or changes in service are expected during this extension.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Waiver Extension Keeps DCTA DMUs Operating
Denton County Transit Authority (DCTA) asked the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to extend a waiver so it can continue operating its Stadler diesel multiple-unit (DMU) vehicles. DCTA says these vehicles were built to European crashworthiness standards and that it has "complied with all facets" of FRA's conditions for the past 15 years. The petition (letter dated August 11, 2026) is in Docket FRA-2010-0180 and FRA will accept public comments through January 11, 2027.
Continued Relief From Specific FRA Safety Rules
DCTA seeks extended relief from specific FRA regulations in 49 CFR parts 229, 231, 238, and 239. The listed items include main reservoir and brake tests, emergency brake valve requirements, aluminum main reservoirs, event recorder criteria, passenger-car end platform rules, emergency lighting and communication, locomotive fuel tank and safety-appliance rules, periodic brake maintenance and interior calendar-day inspections, and emergency preparedness plan requirements.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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