Palo Verde Valley Transit Agency (PVVTA) 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 PVVTA’s objective to:
Ensure that the level and quality of transportation service is provided without regard to race, color or national origin
Identify and address, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects of programs and activities on minority populations and low-income populations
Promote the full and fair participation of all affected populations in transportation decision making
Prevent the denial, reduction or delay in benefits related to programs and activities that benefit minority populations or low-income populations and
Ensure meaningful access to programs and activities by persons with limited English proficiency (LEP).
The General Manager, senior management, and all supervisors and employees share the responsibility for carrying out PVVTA’s commitment to Title VI. Our Title VI Compliance Officer 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 as described in the next section.
PVVTA’s Title VI Complaint Procedures
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 PVVTA within 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. Complaints may either be filed with PVVTA, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) or with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Filing a Complaint With PVVTA
Online: Complaints may be filed with PVVTA online by sending an email to accounts@pvvta.com
By Mail: Complaints may be filed with PVVTA in writing and may be addressed to:
PVVTA
Title VI Compliance Officer
415 N. Main Street
Blythe, CA 92225
PVVTA will provide appropriate assistance to complaints who are limited in their ability to communicate in English.
Filing a Complaint Directly to Caltrans
A complaint may file a Title VI complaint with the Caltrans by contacting the Department at:
California Department of Transportation
Office of Business & Economic Opportunity
Equal Employment Opportunity Program
Discrimination Complaint Investigation Unit
1823 14th Street, MS 79
Sacramento, California 95811
Filing a Complaint Directly to the U.S. Department of Transportation
A complaint may file a Title VI complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation by contacting the Department at:
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Civil Rights
1760 Market Street, Suite 500
Philadelphia, PA 19103-4124
What Happens to My Title VI Complaint to PVVTA?
Once a complaint is received, it will be assigned to an investigator. In instances where additional information is needed, the investigator will contact the complaint 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, the Compliance Officer will investigate a Title VI complaint within 30 days of receipt. The investigator will prepare a draft written response subject to review by PVVTA’s General Manager and/or Chairman of the Board. The PVVTA Board of Directors will make the final determination and approve the final response to the complainant, including notifying the complainant of his/her right to file a complaint externally.
The Compliance Officer will use its best efforts to respond to a Title VI complaint within 30 calendar days of its receipt of such complaint. Receipt of additional relevant information and/or simultaneous filing of complaint with PVVTA and an external entity may expand the timing of the complaint resolution. Such extension(s) will be in writing.
For additional information on PVVTA’s Title VI nondiscrimination obligations, please write to:
PVVTA
Title VI Compliance Officer
415 N. Main Street
Blythe, CA 92225