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Title VI

Arrowhead Transit Title VI Policy – Your Rights and How to File a Complaint

Arrowhead Transit is committed to providing equitable access to public transportation services and Arrowhead Transit is committed to providing equitable access to public transportation and ensuring that no person is discriminated against based on race, color, or national origin. This policy is in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

How to File a Title VI Complaint

If you believe you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with Arrowhead Transit within 180 days of the alleged incident. Complaints can be submitted using our online complaint form or by mail.

Steps to file a complaint

  1. Complete the Title VI Complaint Form – Access the form HERE. A PDF version can be found HERE.
  2. Provide your details – Include your name, contact info, and a description of the incident.
  3. Submit the form – Mail it to 702 3rd Avenue South, Virginia, MN 55792, or call 218-735-6814 for assistance.

Once received, we will review your complaint and notify you in writing. If further details are needed, we may contact you within 30 days. If not, the case may be closed.

See the full Arrowhead Transit Title VI Complaint Procedure HERE.

Alternative Formats & Language Assistance Plan

Upon request, this publication will be made available in alternative formats to people with disabilities and language requirements. LEARN MORE about our Language Assistance Plan HERE. Please reach out to the Arrowhead Transit team for further assistance.

See the full Arrowhead Transit Language Assistance Plan HERE.

Appeal Process

If you disagree with the findings, you can appeal within 15 days from the date of the decision. The appeal process will follow MnDOT guidelines.

Additional Filing Options

You may also file a complaint directly with:

Or, directly with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA):

We are committed to a safe, accessible, and inclusive transit experience for all riders. If you feel your rights under Title VI have been violated, please reach out to us and we’ll ensure your voice is heard.

Call the Transit Team at 1-800-862-0175 for more information or with questions. NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Title VI Complaint Form

Name(Required)
Address(Required)
Email
Do you require an accessible format?
Are you filing this complaint on your own behalf?*(Required)
*If you answered "yes" to this question, go to Section III.
Have you obtained permission from this person?(Required)
I believe the discrimination I experienced was based on (Check all that apply)(Required)
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Describe all persons who were involved. Include the name and contact information of the person to who discriminated against you (if known) as well as names and contact information of any witnesses.
Have you previously filed an Title VI complaint with this agency?(Required)
Have you filed this complaint with any other federal, state, or local agency, or with any federal or state court?(Required)
If yes, check all that apply

Address
Please let us know any additional details here.

Title VI Complaint Procedure

AEOA/Arrowhead Transit is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin by AEOA/Arrowhead Transit, providing programs and services in the counties of Aitkin, Carlton, Chisago, Cook, Isanti, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, Pine and St. Louis, (hereinafter referred to as “AEOA/Arrowhead Transit”), may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting AEOA/Arrowhead Title VI Complaint Form. AEOA/Arrowhead Transit investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. AEOA/Arrowhead Transit will process complaints that are complete.

Complaint Acknowledgement

Once the complaint is received, AEOA/Arrowhead Transit will review it to determine if our office has jurisdiction or if the complaint will be handled by MnDOT OTAT Compliance Coordinator and/or MnDOT Office of Civil Rights Title VI Coordinator. The complainant will receive written acknowledgement informing her/him that the complaint has been received and who will be handling.

Investigation Process

AEOA/Arrowhead Transit and/or MnDOT, has 30 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, AEOA/Arrowhead Transit and/or MnDOT, may contact the complainant. The complainant has 15 business days from the date of the written notification to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If the investigator is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business days, AEOA/Arrowhead Transit and/or MnDOT can administratively close the case. A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue their case.

Resolution

After the investigator reviews the complaint, she/he will issue one of two written documentations to the complainant: a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. An LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident, and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 15 days after the date of the letter or the LOF to do so.

Filing a Complaint with MnDOT or FTA

A person may also file a complaint directly with MnDOT, Office of Transit and Active Transportation, ATTN: Compliance Coordinator at 395 John Ireland Blvd., MS 430, St. Paul, MN 55155-1899 or email complaint form to jean.meyer@state.mn.us. As an alternate, a person may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration, at FTA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Language Assistance Plan

Purpose

The purpose of this Language Assistance Plan (hereinafter “LAP”) is to meet Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA’s) requirements to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

“No person shall, on 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 assistance.” – Civil Rights Act of 1964

As a subrecipient of FTA funds, AEOA/Arrowhead Transit resolves to take reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to its public transit services for persons who do not speak English as their primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. The FTA refers to these persons as Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons. For LEP individuals, meaningful access denotes access that is not significantly restricted, delayed, or inferior as compared to programs or activities provided to English proficient individuals.

The completion of this LAP for persons with Limited English Proficiency conforms to the requirements of the FTA Circular 4702.1B Title VI Requirements and Guidelines for Federal Transit Administration Recipients.

The U.S. DOT’s FTA Office of Civil Rights’ publication “Implementing the Department of Transportation’s Policy Guidance Concerning Recipients’ Responsibilities to Limited English Proficient Persons – A Handbook for Public Transportation Providers,” dated April 13, 2007, was used in the preparation of this plan.

LAP Guidance

The LAP provides guidance to AEOA/Arrowhead Transit staff who may interact directly with LEP individuals or whose work involves providing information or services to the public. The plan provides protocols for identifying LEP individuals, language assistance measures, and staff responsibilities and training related to ensuring meaningful access for LEP individuals.

Contents of the LAP

The LAP for AEOA/Arrowhead Transit contains:

For further questions regarding this plan, please contact:

Cathy Pazzelli
Director of Human Resource
AEOA/Arrowhead Transit
218-748-7350
cathy.pazzelli@aeoa.org

All Arrowhead Transit buses are in compliance with the ADA and equipped with wheelchair lifts.
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