Title VI Policy & Complaint Process

Your Civil Rights

Beaver County Transit Authority (BCTA) operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with BCTA.  For more information on BCTA’s civil rights program and the procedures to file a complaint, please contact 724-728-4255; email TitleVI@bcta.com or visit our administrative office at 200 W. Washington Street, Rochester, PA 15074 from 5:30 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Friday.  For more information about BCTA programs and services, visit www.bcta.com.  If information is needed in another language, please contact  724-728-4255.

A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590

Beaver County Transit Authority (BCTA) grants all citizens equal access to all its transportation services. It is further the intent of BCTA that all citizens are aware of their rights to such access. This site is designed to serve as an educational tool for citizens so that they may understand one of the civil rights laws that protect their benefit of BCTA programs and services, specifically, as it relates to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

What is Title VI?

Title VI is a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requiring that “No person in the United States shall on the grounds 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.”   Note that Title VI does not address gender discrimination. It only covers race, color and national origin.  Other Civil Rights laws prohibit gender discrimination.

BCTA operates its programs without regard to race, color, or national origin.

BCTA’s Complaint and Investigation Procedures

These procedures cover all complaints filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

These procedures do not deny the right of the complainant to file formal complaints with other State or Federal agencies or to seek private counsel for complaints alleging discrimination. Every effort will be made to obtain early resolution of complaints at the lowest level possible. The option of informal mediation meeting(s) between the affected parties and BCTA may be utilized for resolution. Any individual, group of individuals or entity that believes they have been subjected to discrimination prohibited under Title VI and related statutes may file a complaint.

The following measures will be taken to resolve Title VI complaints:

1. A formal complaint must be filed within 180 days of the alleged occurrence. Complaints shall be in writing and signed by the individual or his/her representative and will include the complainant’s name, address, and telephone number; the name of the alleged discriminating official, the basis of the complaint (race, color, national origin), and the date of the alleged act(s). A statement detailing the facts and circumstances of the alleged discrimination must accompany all complaints.
   
   BCTA strongly encourages the use of BCTA’s “Title VI Complaint Form” when filing official complaints.  (see attached)
   
   The preferred method is to file your complaint in writing using the Title VI Complaint Form and sending it to:
   
   Title VI Coordinator
   BCTA
   200 W. Washington Street
   Rochester, PA 15074
2. In the case where a complainant is unable or incapable of providing a written statement, a verbal complaint of discrimination may be made to the BCTA Title VI Coordinator. Under these circumstances, the complainant will be interviewed, and the BCTA Title VI Coordinator will assist the Complainant in converting the verbal allegations to writing.
3. When a complaint is received, the Title VI Coordinator will provide written acknowledgment to the Complainant, within ten (10) days by registered mail.
4. If a complaint is deemed incomplete, additional information will be requested, and the Complainant will be provided 60 business days to submit the required information. Failure to do so may be considered good cause for a determination of no investigative merit.
5. Within 15 business days from receipt of a complete complaint, BCTA will determine its jurisdiction in pursuing the matter and whether the complaint has sufficient merit to warrant investigation. Within five (5) days of this decision, the General Manager or his/her authorized designee will notify the Complainant and Respondent, by registered mail, informing them of the disposition.
   1. If the decision is not to investigate the complaint, the notification shall specifically state the reason for the decision.
   2. If the complaint is to be investigated, the notification shall state the grounds of BCTA’s jurisdiction, while informing the parties that their full cooperation will be required in gathering additional information and assisting the investigator.
6. When BCTA does not have sufficient jurisdiction, the General Manager or his/her authorized designee will refer the complaint to the appropriate State or Federal agency holding such jurisdiction.
7. If the complaint has investigative merit, the General Manager or his/her authorized designee will instruct the Title VI Coordinator to fully investigate the complaint. A complete investigation will be conducted, and an investigative report will be submitted to the Executive Director within 60 days from receipt of the complaint. The report will include a narrative description of the incident, summaries of all persons interviewed, and a finding with recommendations and conciliatory measures where appropriate. If the investigation is delayed for any reason, the Title VI Coordinator will notify the appropriate authorities, and an extension will be requested.
8. The General Manager or his/her authorized designee will issue letters of finding to the Complainant and Respondent within 90 days from receipt of the complaint.
9. An individual may appeal a complaint determination by mailing or submitting in person a written appeal to the ADA Paratransit Administrator, at BCTA, 131 Pleasant Dr., Aliquippa, PA 15001, requesting that determination be reviewed by the Appeals Board. The appeal must : (1) specify the basis upon which the individual disputes the determination; and (2) sign and date the written appeal. The Appeals Board shall afford the appellant the opportunity to be heard and present information and arguments, which are relevant to the determination which is the subject of the appeal. The Appeals Board will consider the appeal and issue a written decision within 30 days after filing the appeal. If a decision is not made within 30 days of completing the appeals process, transportation is provided until and unless a decision to deny the appeal is issued.
10. The Complainant also has a right to file a separate complaint with the:
    
    Federal Transit Administration
    Office of Civil Rights
    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, D.C. 20590