# Agency Information Collection Activity Under OMB Review: Bus Testing Program
**AGENCY:**
Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation.
**ACTION:**
Notice of request for comments.
**SUMMARY:**
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the intention of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to approve a request for an extension without change to an existing information collection: Bus Testing Program.
**DATES:**
Comments must be submitted before February 17, 2026.
**ADDRESSES:**
To ensure that your comments are not entered more than once into the docket, submit comments identified by the docket number by only one of the following methods:
1. *Website: https://www.regulations.gov.* Follow the instructions for submitting comments on the U.S. Government electronic docket site. All electronic submissions must be made to the U.S. Government electronic docket site at *https://www.regulations.gov.* Commenters should follow the directions below for mailed and hand-delivered comments.
2. *Fax:* 202-366-7951.
3. *Mail:* U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
4. *Hand Delivery:* U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
*Instructions:* You must include the agency name and docket number for this notice at the beginning of your comments. Submit two copies of your comments if you submit them by mail. For confirmation that FTA has received your comments, include a self-addressed stamped postcard. Note that all comments received, including any personal information, will be posted and will be available to internet users, without change, to *https://www.regulations.gov.* You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the *Federal Register* published April 11, 2000, (65 FR 19477), or you may visit *https://www.regulations.gov.*
*Docket:* For access to the docket to read background documents and comments received, go to *https://www.regulations.gov* at any time. Background documents and comments received may also be viewed at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, Ground Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Marcel Belanger 202-366-0725 or *[email protected].*
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
Interested parties are invited to send comments regarding any aspect of this information collection, including: (1) the necessity and utility of the information collection for the proper performance of the functions of the FTA; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways to minimize the collection burden without reducing the quality of the collected information. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection.
*Title:* Bus Testing Program.
*OMB Number:* 2132-0550.
*Background:* In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is requesting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 3-year approval of an extension without change for a currently approved collection. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) established the Bus Testing Program in response to the requirements of the Surface Transportation and Uniform Relocation Assistance Act (STURAA) of 1987. This program requires all new bus models undergo testing before they can be purchased with federal funds. Codified under 49 U.S.C. 5318(a), the program prohibits the obligation or expenditure of FTA funds for acquiring a new bus model unless model has been tested for maintainability, reliability, safety, performance (including braking performance), structural integrity, fuel economy, emissions, and noise. Through these rigorous evaluations, the program ensures that federally funded buses meet established standards for quality, efficiency, and public safety.
At this time, there is one active Bus Testing Center operated by the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute of the Pennsylvania State University (LTI). LTI operates and maintains the Center under a cooperative agreement with FTA and establishes and collects fees for the testing of the vehicles at the facility. Upon completion of the testing of the vehicle at the Center with a passing test score, a draft Bus Testing Report is provided to the manufacturer of the new bus model. If the manufacturer approves the Report for publication, the bus model becomes eligible for FTA funding. 49 CFR 665.7 requires a recipient of FTA funds to certify that a bus model has been tested at the bus testing facility, that the bus model received a passing score, and that the recipient has a copy of the applicable Bus Testing Report(s) on a bus model before final acceptance of any buses of that model. Recipients are strongly encouraged to review the Bus Testing Report(s) relevant to a bus model before final acceptance and/or selection of that bus model.
*Respondents:* Bus manufacturers and recipients of FTA funds.
*Estimated Annual Number of Respondents:* 60 respondents.
*Estimated Total Annual Burden:* 2,131 hours.
*Frequency:* On occasion.
Kusum Dhyani,
Director, Office of Management Planning.