Civil Rights/Non-Discrimination

In accordance with the United States Department of Transportation Title VI Regulations (49 CFR part 21), Sonoma County Transit operates its programs without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sexual preference, marital status, age, medical condition, or disability in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, California Civil Code section 51(b), or other applicable law.

Sonoma County Transit’s Title VI Policy Statement

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.” SCT grants all citizens equal access to all its transportation services under Title VI of the Civil Act and it is also the intent of SCT, that all citizens are aware of their rights to such access.

A copy of Sonoma County Transit’s Title VI plan can be found here: http://sctransit.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Title-VI-Final-May-2022-.pdf

Complaint Process

Persons who believe they have received discriminatory treatment or practice under Title VI may file a complaint with Sonoma County Transit. For information on filing a complaint, contact SCT’s Customer Service Department. Complaints must be in writing and must be filed no later than 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory incident. The preferred method is to file your complaint in writing using the Title VI Complaint Form (Formulario de quejas Título VI Español) and send it to:

Sonoma County Transit
Attn: Title VI Coordinator
355 W. Robles Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407

Verbal complaints will be accepted and transcribed by the Title VI Coordinator. To make a verbal complaint, call 1-800-345-7433 and ask for the Title VI Coordinator. You also have the right to file your complaint with the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT), a federal or state agency, or a federal or state court. Should a complaint be filed with SCT and an external entity simultaneously, the external complaint may supersede the complaint to SCT and the internal complaint procedures will be will be suspended pending the external entity’s findings.

Investigations

Within 15 working days of receipt of the formal complaint, the Title VI Coordinator 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 filed against transit service offered by SCT and will 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 own choosing and may bring witnesses and 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. 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 Department of Transportation.