Notice2025-21750
Marking of Commercial Motor Vehicles; Application for an Exemption From Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways, and New York Trailways
Primary source
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Published
December 2, 2025
Effective
November 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Abstract
FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemption granted to Adirondack Transit Lines, Inc. (dba Adirondack Trailways), Pine Hill- Kingston Bus Corp. (dba Pine Hill Trailways), and Passenger Bus Corp. (dba New York Trailways), from the commercial motor vehicle (CMV) marking requirements under certain circumstances involving exchange, or interchange of equipment and/or drivers. FMCSA has analyzed the exemption renewal application and the public comment and has determined that the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be achieved in the absence of the exemption.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 229 (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 229 (Tuesday, December 2, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55331-55333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21750]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
[Docket No. FMCSA-2020-0062]
Marking of Commercial Motor Vehicles; Application for an
Exemption From Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways, and New York
Trailways
AGENCY: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Department
of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of final disposition; renewal of exemption.
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SUMMARY: FMCSA announces its decision to renew the exemption granted to
Adirondack Transit Lines, Inc. (dba Adirondack Trailways), Pine Hill-
Kingston Bus Corp. (dba Pine Hill Trailways), and Passenger Bus Corp.
(dba New York Trailways), from the commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
marking requirements under certain circumstances involving exchange, or
interchange of equipment and/or drivers. FMCSA has analyzed the
exemption renewal application and the public comment and has determined
that the exemption, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
below, is likely to achieve a level of safety that is equivalent to, or
greater than, the level that would be achieved in the absence of the
exemption.
DATES: The exemption is effective November 28, 2025, and expires May
28, 2030.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: La Tonya Mimms, FMCSA Driver and
Carrier Operations Division; Office of Carrier, Driver and Vehicle
Safety Standards; 202-366-9220; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#315d50455e5f48501f5c585c5c4271555e451f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d4b8b5a0bbbaadb5fab9bdb9b9a794b0bba0fab3bba2">[email protected]</span></a>. If you have
questions on viewing material in the docket, contact Docket Services,
telephone (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Participation
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view any documents mentioned as being available in the docket,
go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2020-0062/document">https://www.regulations.gov/docket/FMCSA-2020-0062/document</a> and
choose the document to review. To view comments, click this notice,
then click ``Browse Comments.'' If you do not have access to the
internet, you may view the docket online by visiting Dockets Operations
on the ground floor of the DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590-0001, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. To be sure someone is there to
help you, please call (202) 366-9317 or (202) 366-9826 before visiting
Dockets Operations.
II. Legal Basis
FMCSA has authority under 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and 31315(b) to grant
exemptions from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).
FMCSA must publish a notice of each exemption request in the Federal
Register (49 CFR 381.315(a)). The Agency must provide the public an
opportunity to inspect the information relevant to the application,
including the applicant's safety analysis. The Agency must provide an
opportunity for public comment on the request.
The Agency reviews the application, safety analyses, and public
comments submitted and determines whether granting the exemption would
likely achieve a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, the
level that would be achieved absent such exemption, pursuant to the
standard set forth in 49 U.S.C. 31315(b)(1). The Agency must publish
its decision in the Federal Register (49 CFR 381.315(b)). If granted,
the notice will identify the regulatory provision from which the
applicant will be exempt, the effective period, and all terms and
conditions of the exemption (49 CFR 381.315(c)(1)). If the exemption is
denied, the notice will explain the reason for the denial (49 CFR
381.315(c)(2)). The exemption may be renewed (49 CFR 381.300(b)).
III. Background
Current Regulatory Requirements
The provisions in 49 CFR 390.21 require that every self-propelled
CMV subject to the FMCSRs be marked with the legal name or a single
trade name of the motor carrier operating the CMV, as listed on the
Form MCSA-1, the URS online application, or the motor carrier
identification report (Form MCS-150) and submitted in accordance with
Sec. 390.201 or Sec. 390.19, as appropriate (49 CFR 390.21(b)(1)).
The marking must also include the identification number issued by FMCSA
to the motor carrier or intermodal equipment provider, preceded by the
letters ``USDOT'' (49 CFR 390.21(b)(2)). Under 49 CFR 390.21(b)(3), if
the name of any person other than the operating carrier appears on the
CMV, the name of the operating carrier must be followed by the
information required in 49 CFR 390.21(b)(1) and (b)(2) and be preceded
by the words ``operated by.''
Applicant's Request
Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways, and New York Trailways'
application for exemption renewal was described in detail in a Federal
Register notice published on June 3, 2025, (90 FR 23595) and will not
be repeated as the facts have not changed.
IV. Public Comments
The Agency received one comment. The American Bus Association
supported granting the exemption renewal and said, ``Insisting on
compliance with the current federal marking requirements would not
increase their safety performance, but it would create an efficiency
challenge and add a significant cost to the current operations,
possibly forcing a reduction in service in the long term.''
V. FMCSA Decision
FMCSA has evaluated the application from Adirondack Trailways, Pine
Hill Trailways, and New York Trailways, the single comment filed, and
the applicants' safety records, and grants the exemption renewal. The
exemption does not provide relief from a rule that could impact the
safety performance of the commonly owned companies. The applicants are
fully responsible for complying with the applicable safety regulations
(e.g., driver licensing and qualification, controlled substances and
alcohol testing, inspection repair and maintenance, hours of service,
etc.). Furthermore, the exemption does not leave Federal or State
enforcement personnel without the means of identifying the carrier
responsible for the operation of a vehicle on a given trip, or a means
of conducting compliance assurance activities. As part of the terms and
conditions of this exemption, the applicants are required to display
the name and USDOT number assigned to the owner/lessee of the passenger
carrier vehicle with information about the responsible motor carrier
readily available from the driver.
FMCSA initially granted an exemption to Adirondack Trailways, Pine
Hill Trailways, and New York Trailways on June 1, 2020. The applicants'
safety records do not indicate any safety deterioration among any of
the applicants since the granting of the initial exemption. FMCSA
concludes that the exemption renewal, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth in section VI, would likely achieve a level of
safety that is equivalent to, or greater than, the level that would be
achieved absent such exemption, in accordance with 49 U.S.C.
31315(b)(1).
VI. Exemption
A. Applicability of Exemption
This exemption from 49 CFR 390.21(b)(3) is issued to Adirondack
Transit Lines, Inc., USDOT 117395 (dba Adirondack Trailways), Pine
Hill-Kingston Bus Corp., USDOT 17352 (dba Pine Hill Trailways), and
Passenger Bus Corp., USDOT 584575 (dba New York Trailways).
B. Terms and Conditions
When operating under this exemption:
1. Passenger-carrying commercial vehicles must display the name and
USDOT number of the owner/lessee;
2. A document signed by at least one of the authorized carriers
involved in
[[Page 55333]]
the movement of the vehicle is kept in each vehicle operating under the
exemption that provides (in electronic or paper format):
[cir] The registered name of each party to the agreement;
[cir] The USDOT number for each party to the agreement;
3. The passenger carrier named on the driver's record of duty
status is the responsible motor carrier;
4. The owner/lessee and the responsible motor carrier must
cooperate with all Federal, State, and local enforcement officials to
provide the identity of the operators of the passenger carrying
vehicle.
5. Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways, and New York
Trailways, as the responsible motor carriers, and drivers operating
under the exemption must comply with all other requirements of the
FMCSRs (49 CFR parts 350-399) and Hazardous Materials Regulations (49
CFR part 105-180).
6. Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways, and New York
Trailways must provide to FMCSA, upon request, a list of all motor
carriers, along with their USDOT numbers, that have operated through
lease agreements as the responsible motor carrier under this exemption.
C. Preemption
In accordance with 49 U.S.C. 31315(d), as implemented by 49 CFR
381.600, during the period this exemption is in effect, no State shall
enforce any law or regulation applicable to interstate commerce that
conflicts, or is inconsistent, with this exemption with respect to a
firm or person operating under the exemption. States may, but are not
required to, adopt the same exemption with respect to operations in
intrastate commerce.
D. Notification to FMCSA
Adirondack Transit Lines, Inc. (dba Adirondack Trailways), Pine
Hill-Kingston Bus Corp. (dba Pine Hill Trailways), and Passenger Bus
Corp. (dba New York Trailways) must notify FMCSA within 5 business days
of any accident (as defined in 49 CFR 390.5), involving any of the
motor carrier's CMVs operating under the terms of this exemption. The
notification must include the following information:
1. Identifier of the Exemption: ``Adirondack Transit Lines, Inc.
(dba Adirondack Trailways), Pine Hill-Kingston Bus Corp. (dba Pine Hill
Trailways), and Passenger Bus Corp. (dba New York Trailways)'';
2. Name of operating carrier and USDOT number;
3. Date of the accident;
4. City or town, and State, in which the accident occurred, or
closest to the accident scene;
5. Driver's name and license number;
6. Co-driver's name (if any) and license number;
7. Vehicle number and State license number;
8. Number of individuals suffering physical injury;
9. Number of fatalities;
10. The police-reported cause of the crash, if provided by the
enforcement agency; and
11. Whether the driver was cited for violation of any traffic laws,
motor carrier safety regulations.
Reports filed under this provision must be emailed to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#54191704071014101b007a131b02"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eea3adbebdaaaeaaa1bac0a9a1b8">[email protected]</span></a>
with ``Adirondack Trailways, Pine Hill Trailways and, New York
Trailways'' and ``FMCSA-2020-0062'' in the subject line.
VII. Termination
FMCSA does not believe the motor carriers covered by this exemption
will experience any deterioration of their safety record. However, the
exemption will be rescinded if: (1) Adirondack Transit Lines, Inc. (dba
Adirondack Trailways), Pine Hill-Kingston Bus Corp. (dba Pine Hill
Trailways), and Passenger Bus Corp. (dba New York Trailways), or the
motor carriers or drivers operating under the exemption fail to comply
with the terms and conditions of the exemption; (2) the exemption has
resulted in a lower level of safety than would be achieved in the
absence of the exemption; or (3) continuation of the exemption would
not be consistent with the goals and objects of 49 U.S.C. 31136(e) and
31315(b).
Derek Barrs,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2025-21750 Filed 12-1-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-EX-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on December 2, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.