Civil Rights | Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit

Civil Rights and Title VI

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. SMART's Title VI Program and Nondiscrimination Policy can be found here.

 

How do I file a Title VI Complaint?

If you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI, you may file a written complaint with SMART.

To file a formal Title VI complaint you or your representative must submit a signed SMART Civil Rights Complaint Form within one hundred and eighty (180) days of the last date of alleged discrimination.  Download the Complaint Form here: Title VI Report Complaint Form

Alternatively, you can request a copy of the Complaint Form at 707-794-3330 or TDD 711.

If information is needed in another language, contact SMART at 707-794-3330.

 

Si se necesita información en otro idioma, póngase en contacto con SMART al 707-794-3330.

Si usted cree que ha recibido un trato discriminatorio por SMART sobre la base de su raza, color u origen nacional, usted tiene el derecho de presentar una queja con el Oficial de Derechos Civiles. La queja debe ser presentada a más tardar 180 días calendario después del supuesto incidente discriminatorio alegado.  Este documento y el formulario de queja del Título VI están disponibles aquí.

Los documentos que describen la Declaración de la Política conforme al Título VI y los Procedimientos de Queja de SMART se pueden traducir al español bajo solicitud. 

Por favor llame al (707)794-3330 o TDD 711.

 

Upon request, the Title VI Coordinator will assist with writing a complaint if the complainant is unable to do so, including any language assistance required.
The complaint should include the following information:

  • Your name, address, and how to contact you (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.).
  • How, when, where, and why you believe you were discriminated against. Include the location, names and contact information of any witnesses.

The complaint may be filed in writing with SMART as follows:

SMART - Attn: Title VI Coordinator
5401 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 200
Petaluma, CA 94954

Complainants may also use the following to initiate the filing of a written complaint:
Email: customerservice@sonomamarintrain.org (include "Title VI Complaint" in the subject line)
Fax: (707) 794-3037 (Attn: SMART Title VI Coordinator)

 

What happens to my complaint after it is submitted?

All complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color or national origin in a service or benefit provided by SMART will be recorded in the Title VI Database and electronically assigned an ID number by the Title VI Coordinator.

The SMART Title VI Coordinator reviews all customer feedback and researches complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color or national origin in a service or benefit.  Upon request, the SMART Title VI Coordinator will provide appropriate assistance to complainants, including people with disabilities, or who are limited in the ability to communicate in English in accordance with SMART’s Limited English Proficiency Plan (ATTACHMENT D of SMART’s TITLE VI PROGRAM).

The SMART Title VI Coordinator will review and provide complainant with an acknowledgement letter of receipt of the complaint within 10 working days.  Generally SMART will investigate the complaint and prepare a draft written response subject to review by the SMART General Manager and SMART General Counsel within 30 days. 

In instances where additional information is needed for assessment or investigation of the complaint, the SMART Title VI Coordinator will attempt to contact the complainant in writing. Failure to provide the requested additional information within 30 days of the letter date may result in the administrative closure of the complaint.  More details on the process for Title VI complaints can be found in SMART’s Title VI Program document.

 

How will I be notified of the outcome of my complaint?

The SMART staff will send a final written response to the complainant and advise the complainant of his or her right to file a complaint externally. SMART will use its best efforts to respond to Title VI complaints within 60 working days of its receipt of such complaints.

In addition to the complaint process at SMART, individuals and organizations may also file a complaint by completing a Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights Title VI complaint form.  Complaints should be signed and include contact information and should be sent to SMART and to:

Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Bldg, 4th & 5th Floors
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington, DC 20590

 

SMART District DBE Program Policy Statement

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. SMART has received or plans to receive Federal financial assistance from the Department of Transportation, and as a condition of receiving this assistance, SMART has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR Part 26.

It is the policy of SMART to ensure that DBEs, as defined in Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. It is also our policy:

  1. To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;
  2. To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts;
  3. To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
  4. To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;
  5. To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts; and
  6. To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program.

SMART has disseminated this policy statement to the SMART Board and all of the relevant components of our organization. We have distributed this statement to DBE and non-DBE business communities that perform, or are anticipated to perform, work for us on DOT-assisted contracts. 

For SMART’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program, click here.