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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>the Applicability of FTA's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program to Transportation Network Companies (Published Document 2024-30966)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Under the previous Biden administration, a proposed regulation was formulated to prohibit paratransit agencies from contracting with companies which do not require random drug testing for employees. A call for public comments is now open and the deadline for submission is February 13. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This would apply to Uber and Lyft because they currently have no such requirements. If adopted by the FTA, this would directly affect the MBTA Ride Flex program because these are the two contractors for that program. It would also affect trip reassignments because the majority of these trips are reassigned to Uber and Lyft. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Check out this link providing the rationale and textual changes proposed:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/30/2024-30966/notice-of-proposed-policy-statement-regarding-the-applicability-of-ftas-drug-and-alcohol-testing">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/30/2024-30966/notice-of-proposed-policy-statement-regarding-the-applicability-of-ftas-drug-and-alcohol-testing</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you would like to submit a comment, activate the Submit a public comment link on the above page. Or go directly to this page by activating the link below:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/30/2024-30966/notice-of-proposed-policy-statement-regarding-the-applicability-of-ftas-drug-and-alcohol-testing#open-comment">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/30/2024-30966/notice-of-proposed-policy-statement-regarding-the-applicability-of-ftas-drug-and-alcohol-testing#open-comment</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If There may be screen reader accessibility barriers when making submissions. If you encounter such problems, AIRA or Be My Eyes should be able to help you out. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you need any help or have any questions, don’t hesitate to me or Debbie Malone our transportation Chair. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shara Winton<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbma.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbma.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:sharawinton@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>sharawinton@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>617-304-0347<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>