Notice2026-01325
Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 23, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Railroad Administration
Abstract
This document provides the public notice that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), petitioned FRA to extend relief related to MBTA's participation in FRA's Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C\3\RS) Program.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 15 (Friday, January 23, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 15 (Friday, January 23, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2989-2990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01325]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
[Docket Number FRA-2014-0127]
Notice of Petition for Extension of Waiver of Compliance
AGENCY: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document provides the public notice that the
Massachusetts Department of Transportation, on behalf of the
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), petitioned FRA to
extend relief related to MBTA's participation in FRA's Confidential
Close Call Reporting System (C\3\RS) Program.
DATES: FRA must receive comments on the petition by February 23, 2026.
FRA will consider comments received after that date to the extent
practicable.
ADDRESSES:
Comments: Comments related to this docket may be submitted by going
to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and following the online instructions
for submitting comments.
Instructions: All submissions must include the agency name and
docket number. All comments received will be posted without change to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>; this includes any personal information.
Please see the Privacy Act heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
section of this document for Privacy Act information related to any
submitted comments or materials.
[[Page 2990]]
Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or
comments received, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and follow the
online instructions for accessing the docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald O. Simpson, Railroad Safety
Specialist, FRA Safety Partnerships Division, telephone: 314-202-2971,
email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#394b565758555d1756174a5054494a5657795d564d175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c5b7aaaba4a9a1ebaaebb6aca8b5b6aaab85a1aab1eba2aab3">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under part 211 of title 49 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), this document provides the public notice that by
letter dated October 7, 2025, MBTA petitioned 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). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number
FRA-2014-0127.
Specifically, MBTA requests an extension of the relief required to
continue its participation in FRA's C\3\RS Program. MBTA 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). The IMOU includes
MBTA's operating partner, Keolis Commuter Services, and several
participating labor unions.
In support of its request, MBTA states that the C\3\RS program has
resulted in safety improvements, including additional signage to
``address recurring equipment-based restrictions,'' a sleep apnea
program, and, in compliance with 49 CFR part 270, a ``comprehensive
risk assessment methodology.''.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications
concerning the petition, is available for review online at
<a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>.
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 and a public hearing, they
should notify FRA, in writing, before the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
Communications received by February 23, 2026 will be considered by
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date
will be considered if practicable.
Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of any written communications
and comments received into any of FRA's 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 inform
its processes. DOT posts these comments, without edit, including any
personal information the commenter provides, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">www.regulations.gov</a>, as
described in the system of records notice (DOT/ALL-14 FDMS), which can
be reviewed at <a href="https://www.transportation.gov/privacy">https://www.transportation.gov/privacy</a>. See also <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice">https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice</a> for the privacy notice of
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>.
Issued in Washington, DC.
John Karl Alexy,
Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety, Chief Safety Officer.
[FR Doc. 2026-01325 Filed 1-22-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 23, 2026.
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.