Action
Extension of comment period.
Summary
By notice of a proposed policy statement (Notice No. 1) published on May 25, 1999 (64 FR 28238), FRA and FTA proposed how they intend to coordinate use of their respective safety authority to address safety issues related to light rail transit operations that take place, or are planned to take place, on the general railroad system of transportation. The proposal also summarized how the process of obtaining waivers of FRA's safety regulations may work, particularly where the light rail and conventional rail operations occur at different times of day. In that notice, the deadline for the submission of written comments was July 30, 1999. By notice published on July 28, 1999 (64 FR 40931), the deadline for the submission of written comments was extended until October 29, 1999, and by notice published on October 28, 1999 (64 FR 58124), the deadline was extended once again until January 14, 2000. By notice of a proposed rule and policy statement published on November 1, 1999 (64 FR 59046), FRA described the extent of its statutory jurisdiction over railroad passenger operations and explained how it would exercise that jurisdiction. The proposal also explained FRA's waiver process and discussed factors that should be addressed in any petition submitted by light rail operators and other railroads seeking approval of shared use of the general railroad system. In that notice, FRA established a deadline for the submission of written comments of January 14, 2000, thereby permitting the comment period for FRA's proposed statement to coincide with the extended comment period for the proposed joint FRA/FTA statement. In response to a request from the association representing the transit industry for an extension of the comment period for FRA's statement, and to ensure that all interested parties have a sufficient amount of time to fully develop their comments, this document announces an extension of the deadline for the submission of written comments on both statements.