In accordance with Part 211 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations, this document provides the public notice that by a document dated April 7, 2013, the Massachusetts Central Railroad Corporation (MCER) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the Federal hours of service laws contained at 49 U.S.C. 21103(a)(4). FRA assigned the petition Docket Number FRA–2013–0048.
In its petition, MCER seeks relief from 49 U.S.C. 21103(a)(4) which, in part, requires a train employee to receive 48 hours off duty after initiating an on-duty period, each day, for 6 consecutive days. Specifically, MCER seeks a waiver to allow a train employee to initiate an on-duty period for 6 consecutive days followed by 24 hours off duty. In support of its request, MCER submitted documents demonstrating employee support and a description of employee work schedules.
A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications concerning the petition, is available for review online at
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:
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Communications received by August 26, 2013 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 comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). See