[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 4033]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01234]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

 [Docket Number FRA-2012-0079]


Petition for Waiver of Compliance

    In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations 
(CFR), this document provides the public notice that by a document 
dated October 22, 2014, the Long Island Rail Road Company (LIRR) has 
petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an extension 
of its waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal 
railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR 228.405(a)(3). FRA 
assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2012-0079.
    In its petition, LIRR seeks a waiver allowing the series of at most 
14 consecutive calendar days to reset after a general pick, or a large 
timetable revision. A general pick, as described by LIRR, is a biannual 
event allowing train employees to bid on jobs, with jobs being awarded 
based on an employee's seniority. FRA's current policy only allows a 
maximum series of at most 14 consecutive calendar days (to reset at the 
end of the 14th day), or when an employee does not initiate an on-duty 
period for any 2 calendar days within the 14 consecutive calendar-day 
series.
    In support of its initial request, LIRR explained that after the 
first general pick, about 20 employees were required to take 1 or 2 
workdays off to avoid violating Federal requirements. As a result, 
employees suffered financially, and employee availability was reduced, 
disrupting LIRR's ability to provide timely and efficient service for 
its customers. LIRR argues that allowing the 14 consecutive calendar-
day series to reset after a general pick, or a large timetable 
revision, will prevent any future employee financial losses and 
disruptions in LIRR's ability to provide optimum service to its 
customers. LIRR noted that there have been no material changes in 
circumstances since the original waiver was granted. Furthermore, LIRR 
states that its train employees continue to indicate support for the 
waiver.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications 
concerning the petition, is available for review online at 
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue, SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations 
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal Holidays.
    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 party 
desires an opportunity for oral comment, 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 by any of the following 
methods:
    <bullet> Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online 
instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 
20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140, 
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by March 12, 2015 will be considered by FRA 
before final action is taken. Comments received after that date will be 
considered as far as practicable.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written 
communications and comments received into any of our 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.). 
In accordance with 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 www.dot.gov/privacy. 
See also http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy 
notice of regulations.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2015.
Ron Hynes,
Director, Office of Technical Oversight.
[FR Doc. 2015-01234 Filed 1-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P