Title VI

TITLE VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

What is Title VI?

Title VI prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.

The Broome County Department of Public Transportation is committed to ensuring that no person on the basis of race color, or national origin, will be subjected to discrimination in the level and quality of transportation services as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If you believe that you have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI you may file a complaint.

Title VI Policy Statement (PDF)

How to file a Title VI complaint?

You may file a signed, written complaint no later than 180 calendar days after the date of the alleged discrimination with the following information:

  • Your name, address, and how to contact you (i.e. telephone number, email address).
  • How, when, where, and why you believe you were discriminated against, including any witness.
  • Title VI Complaint Form
  • The complaint may be filed by writing to:

    Broome County Department of Public Transportation
    413 Old Mill Road
    Vestal, New York 13850

More information can be found on the Federal Transit Administration website.

Information on non-English alternative formats may be obtained from the Broome County Department of Public Transportation.

Broome County Transit Title VI Complaint Procedure

  1. Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, may file a complaint with the Broome County Department of Public Transportation. A complaint may also be filed by a representative on behalf of such a person. All complaints will be referred to the Title VI Coordinator for review and action.
  1. In order to have the complaint reviewed under this procedure, the complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the alleged discrimination.

    The Broome County Department of Public Transportation may extend the time for filing or waive the time limit in the interest of justice, as long as the Broome County Department of Public Transportation specifies in writing the reason for the extension.
  1. Complaints must be submitted in writing and be signed by the claimant and/or the claimant’s representative. Descriptions of the alleged discrimination should provide as much information and detail as possible. In the event a person verbally makes a complaint to the BC Transit employee, the complaint will also need to be completed in writing. Only written complaints will be investigated according to the Broome County Department of Public Transportation’s investigative process.
  1. Within 10 days, the Title VI Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of the allegation and inform the complainant of action taken or proposed action to process the allegation, and inform the complainant of other avenues to pursue such as through the State Department of Transportation or the US Department of Transportation.
  1. The Broome County Department of Public Transportation will advise the State Department of Transportation and the US Department of Transportation within 10 days of receipt of the allegations. The following information will be included in the notification:
    • Name, address and phone number of the complainant
    • Names(s) and address(es) of the alleged discriminating official(s)
    • Basis of the complaint (i.e. race, color or national origin)
    • Date when the alleged discrimination took place
    • Date when complaint was received by the Broome County Department of Public Transportation
    • A statement of the complaint
    • Other agencies (state, local or federal) where the complaint has been filed
    • An explanation of the actions that the Broome County Department of Public Transportation has taken or proposed to resolve the issue in the complaint
  1. Within 60 days of the receipt of the complaint, the Title VI Coordinator will conduct an investigation of the allegation and, based on the information obtained, will offer a recommendation for action in a report to the Commissioner of Transportation. The complaint should be resolved in an informal way when possible and which will be recorded in the summarized report of the findings.
  1. Within 90 days of the receipt of the complaint, the Commissioner will notify the complainant in writing of the final decision. The notification will also advise the complainant of his/her right to appeal with the State Department of Transportation and or the US Department of Transportation. Provided to the State Department of Transportation and or the US Department of Transportation will be a copy of the final decision from the Department of Public Transportation and the summary of the complete findings of the investigation.
  1. The Title VI administrative jurisdictions address is:

    Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights
    Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
    East Building, 5th Floor - TCR
    1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
    Washington, DC 20590