Notice of Establishment of Emergency Relief Docket for Calendar Year 2026
Published Date: 1/30/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is setting up a special Emergency Relief Docket for 2026. This lets transit groups ask for temporary breaks from rules if a big emergency or disaster hits. If that happens, affected groups can quickly request help, making it easier to respond without getting stuck in paperwork.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Emergency Relief Docket Established for 2026
If you are an FTA grantee or subgrantee, the Federal Transit Administration has opened an Emergency Relief Docket for calendar year 2026 (docket FTA-2026-0001). This lets grantees and subgrantees request temporary relief from FTA administrative and statutory requirements when a national or regional emergency or disaster occurs or is anticipated.
Three-Day Conditional Administrative Relief
For administrative requirements, a petition posted to the Emergency Relief Docket is conditionally granted for three business days from submission while FTA reviews it. If FTA does not respond within three business days, the grantee or subgrantee may assume the petition is granted for a period not to exceed three months unless FTA states otherwise.
Buy America Waivers Not Granted Here
Requests for Buy America waivers will not be granted through the Emergency Relief Docket. Grantees seeking Buy America relief must follow the procedures in 49 CFR 661.7 and 661.9 instead.
Evacuation Assistance Allowed Without Petition (45 Days)
Under FTA's Charter Rule, grantees and subgrantees may assist with evacuations or emergency movements of people that would otherwise be charter service without submitting a petition if the emergency is declared by the President, governor, or mayor, or requires immediate action prior to formal declaration. If the emergency lasts more than 45 calendar days and the grantee continues charter-like service, they must follow the Emergency Relief Docket procedures.
Statutory Waivers Require Written Decision
A petition seeking a waiver of statutory requirements will not be conditionally granted and requires a written decision from the FTA Administrator. Grantees must await that written decision before the statutory waiver takes effect.
What Petitions Must Include and Time Limits
A petition for relief must include the agency name and docket number FTA-2026-0001; identify the grantee/subgrantee and its location; identify the legal or policy provision for relief; explain how the requirement limits emergency response; and state whether relief is one-time or ongoing. If ongoing, the requested period may not exceed three months, though additional time can be requested via a second petition.
Multiple Submission Options and Help for Access
Grantees may submit petitions via regulations.gov, email, fax, U.S. mail, or hand delivery to specified FTA or DOT addresses. If a grantee lacks electronic access and needs immediate relief, it may contact any FTA regional office or headquarters and ask FTA staff to submit the petition on its behalf.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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