54 U.S.C. § 101521 — Transportation service and facility programs

(a) Formulation of Plans and Implementation of Projects. The Secretary may create transportation plans, and where practical, carry out transportation projects for System units based on those plans. (b) Contracts, Operations, and Acquisitions for Improvement of Access to System Units. (1) To carry out subsection (a), the Secretary may: (A) contract with public or private agencies or carriers to provide transportation services, equipment, or facilities that improve access to System units; (B) run those services directly if no suitable agency or carrier is available; (C) buy, lease, or otherwise acquire capital equipment for these services; and (D) when necessary, acquire land, water, or an interest in land or water located outside a System unit's boundary, through lease, purchase, donation, exchange, or transfer. (2) Specific rules about property acquisition. (A) Any property acquired this way is administered as part of the System unit. (B) Land or land interests owned by a State or one of its local governments can only be acquired if the State or local government donates it. (C) All land acquisition remains subject to any statutory limits on acquisition methods or appropriations that specifically apply to that area. (c) Establishment of Information Programs. The Secretary must set up information programs. These programs tell the public about ways to access System units, and encourage people to use transportation other than their own cars to get to and travel within the units. (d) Undertaking Transportation Facilities and Services. The Secretary, directly or through a contractor, can provide these transportation facilities and services without following federal, state, or local laws about determining public convenience and necessity. However, the Secretary or the contractor must still consult with the relevant State or local public service commission or similar body. A contractor generally must still follow that body's requirements, unless the Secretary decides those requirements conflict with the purposes of this subchapter. (e) Limit on Reading This Authority Broadly. Nothing in this subchapter should be read as expanding the exemption already given by section 13506(a)(9) of title 49 for operating motor vehicles.