Petaluma Transit grants all citizens equal access to all its transportation services. It is further the intent of Petaluma Transit, that all citizens are aware of their rights to such access. The information presented below is designed to serve as an educational tool for citizens so that they may understand the laws that protect their benefit of Petaluma Transit programs and services, specifically, as it relates to 1990 Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

Passed by Congress in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law aimed at addressing the needs of people with disabilities, prohibiting discrimination in public services and public accommodations. To be protected by the ADA, one must have a disability, which is defined by the ADA as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment. The ADA does not specifically name all of the impairments that are covered.

Petaluma Transit is committed to ensuring that no person is denied access to its services, programs, or activities on the basis of their disabilities, as provided by title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”). If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under ADA, you may file a written complaint with Petaluma Transit. The complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory incident.

Pursuant to the regulations of the United States Department of Justice, which require the designation of an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Disability Access Coordinator, the Transit Manager for Petaluma Transit shall be responsible for and designate qualified staff as the ADA and/or Disability Access Coordinator (DAC) who will administer the processing of all complaints or grievances as well as coordinate Petaluma Transit’s overall efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under the Act. The Transit Manager or DAC shall also administer all complaints brought pursuant to Title 24, California Code of Regulations, concerning both privately and publicly funded accommodations.

Reasonable Modifications

Reasonable Modification Requests

A rider may request a modification to Petaluma Transit policies, practices or procedures to accommodate his/her disability. Modifications will be considered and granted as long as it is determined that the rider is not able to fully use Petaluma Transit’s services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose without the requested modification and said modification does not:

Fundamentally alter the nature of Petaluma Transit services, programs or activities;
Create a direct threat to the health or safety of others;
Cause unreasonable financial or administrative burden

To request a reasonable modification to current policies, practices, or procedures complete the Reasonable Modification Request Form (click here for Pdf) or submit an Online Reasonable Modification Request Form (click here).

ADA Complaints

Any person who wishes to file a complaint alleging any action by Petaluma Transit prohibited by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations may file a written complain as soon as possible, but no later than 60 calendar days after the alleged violation or discriminatory act. Your complaint must be in writing. Click here for a copy of the complaint form or click here to submit an online form. If you need assistance in making the request or completing the request form, Petaluma Transit staff will provide assistance. Please contact Petaluma Transit at (707) 778-4421 or dial 711 for the California Relay Service.

ADA Complaint Procedure

The complaint should be submitted by the complainant or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 180 calendar days after the alleged violation or discriminatory act.

All complaints or grievances shall be in writing and contain information about the alleged violation or discrimination, including name address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem. The complaint should be submitted by the complainant or his/her designee as soon as possible but no later than 180 calendar days after the alleged violation or discriminatory act. Anonymous complaints or grievances will not be taken. Complaints or grievances will, to the greatest extent possible (see Evidence Code 1040), be kept confidential unless ordered released by a court of competent jurisdiction. Alternative means of filing complaints or grievances may be registered by phone, email (confidentiality cannot be assured), letter, personal interview, or tape recording for persons with a disability upon request.

The preferred method is to file your complaint in writing using the ADA & Accessibility Complaint Form, available in hard copy, PDF Form (click here), or as an Online Form (click here), and sending it to:

Transit Manager
Attn: ADA & Accessibility Comment
Petaluma Transit
555 N McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94954

Verbal complaints will also be accepted and transcribed by Petaluma Transit staff. To make a verbal complaint or to receive more information on Petaluma Transit’s ADA & Accessibility Program, call (707) 778-4421 or dial 711 for the California Relay Service.

Complaints may also be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with:

Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5^th Floor –TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20590

Should a complaint be filed with Petaluma Transit and an external entity simultaneously, the external complaint shall supersede the Petaluma Transit complaint and Petaluma Transit’s complaint procedures will be suspended pending the external entity’s findings.

Investigations

Within 10 working days of receipt of the formal complaint, the Transit Manager will notify the complainant and begin an investigation (unless the complaint is filed with an external entity first or simultaneously). The investigation will address complaints against Petaluma Transit and Petaluma Paratransit employees and contractors and it will be conducted in conjunction with and under the advice of The City of Petaluma’s Risk Manager. The investigation may include discussion(s) of the complaint with all affected parties to determine the problem. The complainant may be represented by an attorney or another representative of his/her own choosing and may present testimony and evidence in the course of the investigation. The investigation will be conducted and completed within 60 days of the receipt of the formal complaint. Based upon all the information received, an investigation report will be written for submittal to the Transit Manager. The complainant will receive a letter stating the final decision of the Transit Manager by the end of the 60-day time limit. The complainant shall be notified of his/her right to appeal the decision. Appeals may be made to the DOT, the EEOC, or the DFEH.

If the information is needed in another language please call (707) 778-4421.

Si se necesita información en otro idioma, por favor llame al (707) 778-4421.