TITLE VI – DISCRIMINATION
View the Regional Transit System Title VI Complaint Process, Complaint Form and Public Notice:
WHAT IS TITLE VI?
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that “no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d). The Environmental Justice component of Title VI guarantees fair treatment for all people and provides for City of Gainesville, (COG) Department of Mobility (DOM), Regional Transit System (RTS) to identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations, such as undertaking reasonable steps to ensure that Limited English Proficiency (LEP) persons have meaningful access to the programs, services, and information the RTS provides.
Environmental Justice regulations are:
To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations
To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process
To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations
The responsibility for carrying out RTS’s commitment to this program has been delegated to the RTS’s Executive Director/CEO by the Board of Directors. The Contract Compliance & Civil Rights Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of this Program and will receive and investigate Title VI complaints which come through the complaint procedure. However, all managers, supervisors and employees share in the responsibility for making RTS’s Title VI Program a success. Implementation of the Title VI Program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by the RTS in its financial assistance agreements with DOT.
Title VI Compliant Procedures
FILING A COMPLAINT
Any individual who believes they have been denied the benefits of, excluded from participation in, or subject to discrimination on the grounds of their race, color or national origin may file a formal complaint with RTS. The individual may file an official Title VI complaint through the following means:
Title VI Complaint Form RTS is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color or national origin, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. Title VI complaints must be filed within 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. Note: The following information is necessary to assist us in processing your complaint. Should you require any assistance in completing this form, please contact the Office of Equal Opportunity by calling (352) 334-5051. Complete and return this form to the City of Gainesville Office of Equal Opportunity: 222 E. University Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32602.
All complaints will be investigated promptly. Reasonable measures will be undertaken to preserve any information that is confidential. The Director – Diversity, Equity & Customer Advocacy or designee will review every complaint and begin the investigation process along with notifying RTS’s Investigation Manager. The investigation will include but not limited to:
Identify and review all relevant documents, practices and procedures;
Identify and interview persons with knowledge of the ADA violation, i.e., the person making the complaint; witnesses or anyone identified by the Complainant;
Anyone who may have been subject to similar activity, or anyone with relevant information.
REPORTING & RESOLUTION
Upon completion of the investigation, the Director – Diversity, Equity & Customer Advocacy or designee will complete a final report. If a Title VI violation is found to exist, remedial steps as appropriate and necessary will be taken. The complainant will be kept abreast during the investigation process. Within reasonable ability, and not withstanding circumstances that may impede the investigator’s ability to initiate and/or complete an inquiry, investigations will be completed within 15 days of their initiation. Matters resolved via alternative dispute resolution and which do not require a final investigation report are also considered “closed/completed” investigations.
APPEALS
If no violation is found and the complainant disagrees with that finding and wishes to appeal the decision, he or she may contact the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), 230 Peachtree St., N.W., Suite 800, Atlanta, GA 30303 Attn: Region IV Civil Rights Officer or by calling (404) 865-5620;FTA Civil Rights Department Title VI website.
PDF of Title VI Form
Title VI program RTS 2019 Form