| Title VI Policy |
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Policy Statement The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) 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 provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended. It is DART’s objective to:
The General Manager, management, and all employees share the responsibility for carrying out DART’s commitment to Title VI. The DART Customer Service Staff is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program and receives and investigates Title VI complaints that come through the complaint procedures process.
For additional information on DART's nondiscrimination obligations, please contact:
TITLE VI COMPLAINT PROCESS The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART) is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in the conduct of its business, including its Title VI responsibilities, and to the delivery of equitable and accessible transportation services. DART recognizes its responsibilities to the communities in which it operates and to the society it serves. It is DART’s policy to utilize its best efforts to assure that no person 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 its program of transit service delivery and related benefits. Any person who believes that he or she has been subjected to discrimination under Title VI on the basis of race, color or national origin may file a Title VI complaint with DART within 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. Filing a Complaint with DART
Complaints may be filed with DART in writing and be addressed to: Complaints may also be sent via e-mail to: dart@ridedart.com Download a copy of the Title VI Complaint Form in the following languages: A copy of the Title VI Complaint Form may also be obtained by calling 515-283-8100. DART will provide appropriate assistance to complainants who are limited in their ability to communicate in English. What Happens to My Title VI Complaint to DART? Once a complaint is received, it will be reviewed by DART’s Customer Service Manager. In instances where additional information is needed, they will contact the complainant by phone or in writing. Failure of the complainant to provide the requested information by a certain date may result in the administrative closure of the complaint or a delay in complaint resolution. Based upon receipt of all the information required, DART will investigate a Title VI complaint within 30 days of receipt. DART will use its best efforts to respond to a Title VI complaint within 60 calendar days of its receipt of such complaint. Receipt of additional relevant information and/or simultaneous filing of complaint with DART and an external entity may expand the timing of the complaint resolution. The Customer Service Manager will review and investigate every complaint promptly. Reasonable measures will be undertaken to preserve any information that is confidential. At a minimum the Customer Service Manager will:
Upon completion of the investigation, the Customer Service will complete a final report for the DART Chief Finanicial Officer. If a Title VI violation is found to exist, remedial steps as appropriate and necessary will be taken immediately. The Complainant will also receive a final report together with any remedial steps. The investigation process and final report should take no longer than twenty (20) business days. If no violation is found and the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, he or she may appeal directly to the General Manager, DART, 620 Cherry St., Des Moines, Iowa, 50309. The Customer Service Manager shall maintain a log of Title VI complaints received from this process which log shall include the date the complaint was filed; a summary of the allegations; the status of the complaint; and actions taken by the DART in response to the complaint. Should DART receive a Title VI complaint in the form of a formal charge or lawsuit, the complaint will be forwarded to the DART’s Attorney. Complaints may also be filed with the following two organizations no later than 180 days after the date of the alleged discrimination:
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Civil Rights
Click here for DART's Equal Employment and Service Equity Policy. |
