Title VI Civil Rights Program

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”

Redwood Coast 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, as amended (“Title VI”). If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI, you may file a written complaint with Redwood Coast Transit. The complaint 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.

Verbal complaints will also be accepted and transcribed by the Executive Director. To make a verbal complaint or to receive more information on Redwood Coast Transit’s Title VI Program, call (707) 308-7433.

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

If information is needed in another language please call (707) 308-7433.
Si se necesita información en otro idioma, por favor llame al (707) 308-7433.

Redwood Coast Transit Title VI Complaint Process

Redwood Coast Transit grants all citizens equal access to all its transportation services. It is further the intent of Redwood Coast Transit, 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 Redwood Coast 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 Redwood Coast Transit on the basis of your race, color or national origin, you have the right to file a complaint with the Executive Director. The complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days of 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.

Verbal complaints will also be accepted and transcribed by the Executive Director. To make a verbal complaint, call (707) 308-7433.

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.

Should a complaint be filed with Redwood Coast Transit and an external entity simultaneously, the external complaint shall supersede the Redwood Coast Transit complaint and Redwood Coast 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 Executive Director 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 Redwood Coast Transit employees and contractors. The investigation will be conducted in conjunction with and under the advice of Redwood Coast Transit’s Executive Director.

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 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 Executive Director.

The complainant will receive a letter stating the final decision of the Executive Director 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.

Documents

• RCTA Approved Title VI Civil Rights Plan 2023 (.pdf)
• RCTA Title VI – Civil Rights Notices – English & Spanish (.pdf)
• RCTA Title VI – Civil Rights Complaint Form – English (.pdf)
• RCTA Title VI – Civil Rights Complaint Form – Spanish (.pdf)
• Redwood Coast Transit Title VI Online Complaint Form