MMVTA’S TITLE VI NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

The Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority (MMVTA) 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 she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the MMVTA.

For more information on the MMVTA’s civil rights program, and the procedures to file a complaint, call 724-489-0880, email customersupport@mmvta.com, visit the MMVTA administrative office at 1300 McKean Ave., Charleroi, PA 15022 or complete the form below.

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, 5^th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

If information is needed in another language call MMVTA at 724-489-0880.

MMVTA’S TITLE VI POLICY AND COMPLAINT PROCESS

The Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority (MMVTA) grants all citizens equal access to all its transportation services. It is further the intent of MMVTA, 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 MMVTA programs and services, specifically, as it relates to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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.

These procedures cover all complaints filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, for alleged discrimination in any program or activity administered by the Mid
Mon Valley Transit Authority (MMVTA).

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 the MMVTA 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; name of alleged discriminating official, basis of complaint (race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, limited English), and the date of alleged act(s). A statement detailing the facts and circumstances of the alleged discrimination must accompany all complaints.

   The MMVTA strongly encourages the use of the following Title VI complaint form when filing official complaints:

   Click here for Title VI Complaint Form (pdf)
   Note: To view and print the MMVTA Title IV Complaint Form you’ll need Adobe Acrobat reader. To download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat reader click here.

   The preferred method is to file your complaint in writing using the Title VI Complaint Form, and sending it to:
   Title VI Coordinator
   MMVTA
   1300 McKean Ave.
   Charleroi, PA 15022

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 MMVTA Title VI Coordinator. Under these circumstances, the complainant will be interviewed, and the MMVTA 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, the MMVTA 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 Executive Director or his/her authorized designee will notify the Complainant and Respondent, by registered mail, informing them of the disposition.

   a. If the decision is not to investigate the complaint, the notification shall specifically state the reason for the decision.

   b. If the complaint is to be investigated, the notification shall state the grounds of the MMVTA’s jurisdiction, while informing the parties that their full cooperation will be required in gathering additional information and assisting the investigator.

6. When the MMVTA does not have sufficient jurisdiction, the Executive Director 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 Executive Director 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 Executive Director or his/her authorized designee will issue letters of finding to the Complainant and Respondent within 90 days from receipt of the complaint.
9. 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, 5^th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.