Notice2026-11552
Temporary Exemption for Certain Over-the-Road Bus Owner/Operators That Provide Fixed-Route Service to the Public
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
June 10, 2026
Effective
June 10, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentTransportation Security Administration
Abstract
TSA is granting a temporary exemption from certain requirements in 49 CFR parts 1570 and 1584 for certain Over-The-Road Bus (OTRB) owner/operators that would otherwise be required to submit a security training program to TSA no later than 90 calendar days before commencing new or modified operations. For the duration of this exemption, covered OTRB owner/operators may provide fixed-route service that originates, travels through, or ends in a geographic location identified in Appendix A to 49 CFR part 1584 to support the F[eacute]d[eacute]ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup<SUP>TM</SUP> notwithstanding certain requirements that would otherwise apply. TSA will communicate this exemption directly to affected operators, industry associations, and relevant event organizers to ensure broad awareness.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35238-35240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11552]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Transportation Security Administration
[Docket No. TSA-2015-0001]
Temporary Exemption for Certain Over-the-Road Bus Owner/Operators
That Provide Fixed-Route Service to the Public
AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.
ACTION: Notice, temporary exemption.
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[[Page 35239]]
SUMMARY: TSA is granting a temporary exemption from certain
requirements in 49 CFR parts 1570 and 1584 for certain Over-The-Road
Bus (OTRB) owner/operators that would otherwise be required to submit a
security training program to TSA no later than 90 calendar days before
commencing new or modified operations. For the duration of this
exemption, covered OTRB owner/operators may provide fixed-route service
that originates, travels through, or ends in a geographic location
identified in Appendix A to 49 CFR part 1584 to support the
F[eacute]d[eacute]ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
World Cup<SUP>TM</SUP> notwithstanding certain requirements that would
otherwise apply. TSA will communicate this exemption directly to
affected operators, industry associations, and relevant event
organizers to ensure broad awareness.
DATES: This exemption is effective from June 10, 2026 through July 31,
2026, unless otherwise modified by TSA through a notice published in
the Federal Register.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David W. Cooper, Executive Director
(acting), Surface Policy and Cyber Integration Division, Strategy,
Policy & Engagement, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#581c392e313c763b3737283d2a69182c2b39763c302b763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="024663746b662c616d6d72677033427671632c666a712c656d74">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FIFA World Cup 2026 tournament will take place from June 11 to
July 19, 2026. It will be jointly hosted by 16 cities, including events
in the following 11 U.S. cities and States: Atlanta, GA (Mercedes-Benz
Stadium, also known as Atlanta Stadium); Foxborough, MA (Gillette
Stadium, also known as Boston Stadium); Arlington, TX (AT&T Stadium,
also known as Dallas Stadium); Houston, TX (NRG Stadium, also known as
Houston Stadium); Kansas City, MO (Arrowhead Stadium, also known as
Kansas City Stadium); Los Angeles (SoFi Stadium, also known as Los
Angeles Stadium); Miami (Hard Rock Stadium, also known as Miami
Stadium); New York/New Jersey (MetLife Stadium, also known as New York
New Jersey Stadium); Philadelphia (Lincoln Financial Field, also known
as Philadelphia Stadium); San Francisco Bay Area (Levi's Stadium, also
known as San Francisco Bay Area Stadium); and Seattle (Lumen Field,
also known as Seattle Stadium). Additional events will be held in
Mexico and Canada.
Under TSA's regulations, OTRB \1\ owner/operators that provide
fixed-route service \2\ that originates, travels through, or ends in a
geographic location identified in appendix A to 49 CFR part 1584 must
comply with TSA's security requirements, including identification of a
security coordinator, reporting of security incidents to TSA,
development and implementation of a security program, and ensuring that
all employees performing security-sensitive functions receive security
training. See 49 CFR part 1570, subparts B and C, and part 1584. If
operations within the scope of applicability begin after June 21, 2021,
the owner/operator must submit a security training program 90 days in
advance of commencing operations. See 49 CFR 1570.109(b)(2). The
program must include timely provision of security training to each
employee performing a function identified in appendix B to 49 CFR part
1584. See 49 CFR 1570.111.
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\1\ ``Over-the-Road Bus'' means a bus characterized by an
elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment.
\2\ ``Fixed-route service'' means the provision of
transportation service by private entities operating along a
prescribed route according to a fixed schedule. See 49 CFR 1500.3.
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TSA is aware that certain owner/operators of OTRBs conducting
private charter operations, otherwise not subject to TSA regulations,
will be providing fixed-route service to the public in support of the
FIFA World Cup 2026 to/through/from all U.S. host cities. Due to the
locations being served, these operations may trigger application of
TSA's regulatory requirements. Absent an exemption, these owner/
operators would not be able to operate because they have not submitted
a security program to TSA 90 calendar days in advance of commencing
operations.
Authority and Determination
TSA may grant an exemption from a regulation if TSA determines that
the exemption is in the public interest.\3\ TSA has determined that it
is in the public interest to grant an exemption from requirements in 49
CFR in subpart B of part 1570 (procedures and schedules for TSA
approval of security programs and implementation of a security training
program for security-sensitive employees), Sec. 1570.201 (designation
of security coordinators), and Sec. Sec. 1584.113 and 1584.115
(specific security training requirements). Although certain owner/
operators commencing operations to support FIFA World Cup 2026
operations meet the applicability criteria for these requirements, the
implementation timeline within the regulation for security program
approval and conducting the required training reduces the likelihood
that security-sensitive personnel could be trained before commencing
FIFA World Cup 2026 operations. For instance, the regulation requires
submission of a security program 90 days before commencing operations
and providing security training according to the implementation
schedule in the regulations. See 49 CFR 1570.109(b)(2) and 1570.111.
Because event-related operations are expected to occur over a shorter
duration, employees may complete their assigned duties before the
training requirement is triggered.
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\3\ 49 U.S.C. 114(q).
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TSA also concluded that charter and scheduled OTRBs that operate on
fixed-routes and timetables simplify planning for security personnel
deployed for FIFA World Cup 2026 operations. In addition, they result
in fewer, more predictable access points (bus terminals, park-and-ride
sites, or designated drop-off zones), which make it easier to deploy
screening, patrols, and surveillance for security operations in a
focused, efficient way. Finally, concentrating event spectators on
buses instead of many individual vehicles lowers traffic volume near
stadiums and fan zones, and less congestion reduces the risk of
accidents, improves emergency vehicle access, and makes it easier to
implement traffic control and protective measures around key routes and
perimeters.
To further support security for these operations, TSA is separately
providing security training and incident reporting recommendations and
resources for all OTRB owner/operators not currently regulated by TSA.
While implementation of these recommendations is voluntary, TSA
encourages their use to enhance the security baseline for this
important event. TSA notes that this temporary exemption does not reach
certain regulatory obligations that apply to those owner/operators
covered by Sec. 1584.101, including obligations to report significant
security concerns. See 49 CFR 1570.203.
Exemption
1. Eligibility. This temporary exemption applies to each OTRB
owner/operator that commenced providing fixed-route service
originating, travelling through, or ending in a geographic location
identified in Appendix A to 49 CFR part 1584 after March 1, 2026, with
respect to such service. This exemption does not apply to the
compliance obligations of OTRB owner/operators with established fixed-
[[Page 35240]]
route service originating, travelling through, or ending in these
locations that commenced before March 1, 2026.
2. Exempted requirements. For the duration of this exemption,
eligible owner/operators are not required to comply with the
requirements in 49 CFR 1570, subpart B, 49 CFR 1570.201, and 49 CFR
1584.113 and 1584.115.
3. Expiration. This exemption expires on July 31, 2026. OTRB owner/
operators intending to continue operations originating, travelling
through, or ending in any of these locations after this date must
comply with all applicable TSA requirements.
Ha Nguyen McNeill,
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-11552 Filed 6-5-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9110-05-P
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