Title VI is the portion of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that bans discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities that receive federal funds or other forms of federal financial assistance.
Specifically, Title VI provides 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.” - 42 U.S.C.§200d.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) Title VI implementing regulations can be found at 49 CFR part 21.
Title VI Program Objectives:
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Ensure that the level and quality of public transportation service is provided in a nondiscriminatory manner;
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Promote full and fair participation in public transportation decision-making without regard to race, color, or national origin;
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Ensure meaningful access to transit-related programs and activities by persons with limited English proficiency
If you believe that you are excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under, any COTA program, you may file a Title VI complaint with COTA within 180 days of from the date of the alleged discrimination. Please contact COTA at 670-664-2682.