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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 91884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27000]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2019-0042]

Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance

    Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), this 
document provides the public notice that by letter dated October 8, 
2024, Buffalo & Pittsburgh Railroad, Inc. (BPRR) petitioned the Federal 
Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension of a waiver of 
compliance from certain provisions of the Federal railroad safety 
regulations contained at 49 CFR part 240 (Qualification and 
Certification of Locomotive Engineers) and part 242 (Qualification and 
Certification of Conductors). The relevant Docket Number is FRA-2019-
0042.
    Specifically, BPRR requests relief required to continue 
participation in FRA's Confidential Close Call Reporting System 
(C\3\RS) Program. BPRR seeks to continue shielding reporting employees 
from mandatory punitive sanctions that would otherwise arise as 
provided in Sec. Sec.  240.117(e)(1)-(4); 240.305(a)(1)-(4) and (a)(6); 
240.307; 242.403(b), (c), (e)(1)-(4), (e)(6)-(11), (f)(1)-(2); and 
242.407. The C\3\RS Program encourages certified operating crew members 
to report close calls and protects the employees and the railroad from 
discipline or sanctions arising from the incidents reported per the 
C\3\RS Implementing Memorandum of Understanding (IMOU).
    In support of its request, the petition stated that BPRR's benefits 
from the C\3\RS program have prompted ``other railroad subsidiaries 
under Genesee & Wyoming [Inc.] . . . to adopt C3RS.'' BPRR also stated 
that itself and ``participating parties continue to believe that the 
C3RS program provides tangible benefits and improves employee and 
public safety.''
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings 
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate 
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since 
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested parties 
desire an opportunity for oral comment and a public hearing, they 
should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and 
specify the basis for their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the 
appropriate docket number and may be submitted at www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for submitting comments.
    Communications received by January 21, 2025 will be considered by 
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date 
will be considered if practicable.
    Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications 
and comments received into any of the Department of Transportation's 
(DOT) dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the document, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). Under 5 U.S.C. 553(c), DOT solicits 
comments from the public to better inform its processes. DOT posts 
these comments, without edit, including any personal information the 
commenter provides, to www.regulations.gov, as described in the system 
of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can be reviewed at https://www.transportation.gov/privacy. See also https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice for the privacy notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-27000 Filed 11-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
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