PUBLIC NOTICE
“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.”
Safe Streets & Mobility, including Petaluma Transit, 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 protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 amended (“Title VI”).
If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI while accessing bicycle or pedestrian facilities, street sidewalks and pavements, or Petaluma Transit, you may file a written complaint with Safe Streets & Mobility. The complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory incident. If you’d like more information about the Title VI program, you may contact the Title VI staff at the address or phone number below.
The preferred method is to file your complaint in writing using the Title VI Complaint Form, available in hard copy, PDF format, or as an online form, and sending it to:
Title VI Coordinator
Petaluma Transit
555 N McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94954
Verbal complaints will also be accepted and transcribed by the Title VI Coordinator. To make a verbal complaint or receive more information on Petaluma Transit’s Title VI Program, call (707) 778-4460 and request to speak with the Title VI Coordinator.
Complaints may also be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with:
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building, 5th Floor –TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE
Washington, DC 20590
If information is needed in another language, please call (707) 778-4460.
Si se necesita información en otro idioma, por favor llame al (707) 778-4460.
Safe Streets & Mobility & Petaluma Transit Title VI Complaint Process
Safe Streets & Mobility, including Petaluma Transit, grants all citizens equal access to all its mobility services. It is further the intent of Safe Streets & Mobility, including Petaluma Transit, that all citizens are aware of their rights to such access. This site is designed to serve as an educational tool for citizens to understand one of the civil rights laws that protect their benefit of Safe Streets & Mobility, including Petaluma Transit, 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.
Complaint Process
How do I file a complaint?
If you believe that you have received discriminatory treatment by Safe Streets & Mobility, including Petaluma Transit, on the basis of your race, color, or national origin, you have the right to file a complaint with the Title VI Coordinator. The complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days after the alleged discriminatory incident.
Methods of filing a complaint
The preferred method is to file your complaint in writing using the Title VI Complaint Form, available in hard copy, PDF format, an email with the form attached, or as an online form and sending it to:
Title VI Coordinator
555 N McDowell Blvd
Petaluma, CA 94954
Completed forms can be submitted via email to: transit@cityofpetaluma.org. Verbal complaints will also be accepted and transcribed by the Title VI Coordinator. To make a verbal complaint, call (707) 778-44260and request to speak with the Title VI Coordinator.
You also have the right to file a complaint with an external entity such as the Department of Transportation (DOT), a federal or state agency, or a federal or state court.
Investigations
Within ten working days of receipt of the formal complaint, the Title VI Coordinator will notify the complainant and begin an investigation.
The investigation will address complaints against Safe Streets & Mobility, Petaluma Transit and Petaluma Paratransit employees and contractors. The investigation will be conducted in conjunction with and under the advice of the Administrative Services Department and City Attorney’s Office.
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 other representative of his/her choosing and may present testimony and evidence in the investigation. At the end of the investigation, the complainant will receive a letter stating the final decision.
The complainant shall be notified of their right to appeal the decision. Appeals may be made to the DOT.
Documents
Petaluma Transit Title VI Online Complaint Form
Petaluma Transit Title VI Complaint Form
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