Title VI

Organizational Commitment

Santa Clara County, the heart of the Silicon Valley, is home to one of the most innovative, creative and diverse communities in the country. With a population of 1.7 million people, more than half of the County’s residents speak a language other than English at home compared to 20% of the United States population in that same demographic.

Because of our multicultural customer base, VTA recognizes its opportunities and obligations by proactively ensuring that our policies, services and programs are delivered by communications tools and processes that are inclusive and effective. By these actions, we can make certain that no person, because of their race, color or national origin is denied meaningful access to our transportation services, programs and information.

VTA supports the goal of Title VI and its Executive Orders on Limited English Proficiency (LEP) and Environmental Justice to provide meaningful access to its services, projects and activities by low-income, minority, and limited English proficient persons.

VTA is strongly committed to meeting its regulatory requirements under Title VI. The organization is structured so that oversight and management of policy development, training, regulatory compliance, reporting and monitoring of all anti-discrimination policies as it relates to Title VI and LEP are centralized in one department; Accessibility, Civil Rights, and Equity (ACRE). Employees from every division within the organization work cooperatively to contribute to the success of our Title VI program.

Staff

Mark Greene, Manager, Accessibility, Civil Rights, and Equity Department
​​(408) 321-5916
Mark.Greene@vta.org

Gail Gauvin, Senior Human Resources Analyst
(408) 321-7531
Gail.Gauvin@vta.org

Jasmin Fender,  Human Resources Analyst
(408) 321-5595
Jasmin.Fender@vta.org

Vivian Taina, Human Resources Analyst
(408) 321-5545
Vivian.Taina@vta.org

VTA will:

  • 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 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.
  • Ensure meaningful access to programs and activities by persons with limited English proficiency.

VTA Title VI Program

VTA’s 2022 Title VI Program contains the documents which show the agency’s commitment to upholding federal requirements concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The documents include information such as:

  • VTA’s complaint procedure for discrimination based on race, color, and national origin
  • The language assistance services VTA provides to Limited English Proficient (LEP) populations
  • Summary of outreach efforts made since the last Title VI Program submission
  • The demographics of VTA’s service area.

In addition to satisfying Title VI regulations, this program also allows us to identify areas where service can be improved for minorities, low-income groups, and LEP individuals.

Please access the executive summary of the Title VI Program for more information.

VTA Public Participation Plan

The Public Participation Plan (PPP) guides VTA’s continuous efforts to engage the public by providing information on upcoming projects and service changes, as well as seek public input on transportation planning decisions, with particular emphasis on getting minority groups and low-income groups at the table.

VTA reaches out to community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide services to traditionally underrepresented communities, cultural centers, places of worship, residential communities and social services agencies for various project and service planning involvement processes.

The PPP demonstrates VTA’s community-focused approach, accessible methods, and commitment to meet and exceed the requirements of the FTA Circular 4702.1B, in consideration of Environmental Justice, Federal Highway Administration requirements, and on behalf of Limited English Proficient, low-income, and minority communities, and individuals with disabilities.

Please access the executive summary of the Public Participation Plan for more information.

VTA Language Access Plan

VTA's Language Access Plan (LAP) is used in conjunction with the Public Participation Plan as guidance on how to communicate most effectively with its customers, assist VTA staff in conducting outreach to individuals who are Limited English Proficient (see definition below), and soliciting feedback from the community on a continual basis. The information provided in this plan includes:

  • What languages are currently spoken most frequently in VTA's service area,
  • Which VTA services are utilized most often,
  • How VTA customers get information about public transportation, and 
  • If customers experience any barriers to accessing VTA services.

Definition of Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons: Individuals whose primary language is other than English and who have a limited ability to read, write, speak, and/or understand English. People who reported to the U.S. Census that they speak English less than very well, not well, or not at all are considered LEP persons.

If you would like to request this information in another language, please contact the Accessibility, Civil Rights, and Equity Department at 408-952-8901 or email us at acrecomplaints@vta.org.

Please access the executive summary of the Language Access Plan for more information.

Title VI: Community Outreach and Title VI Contact List

VTA maintains a mailing list, which is used to notify organizations that provide services to disabled, minority, low-income or limited English proficient persons, of proposed programs or changes to transportation services. VTA encourages organizations or individuals to voluntarily enter their contact information on the mailing list.

If you have any questions, please contact VTA at (408)321-2300, (408)321-2330 TTY or customer.service@vta.org.

Notice to The Public

VTA operates its programs and services without regard to race, color, and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Title VI - Know Your Rights

To request additional information on VTA’s Title VI and other anti-discrimination obligations, or if information is needed in languages other than English, please contact the Customer Service Center at:

Title VI Complaints

Any person who believes that they have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI may file a complaint with VTA.

Title VI Complaint Form

Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act. Please call the Accessibility, Civil Rights, and Equity Department or submit your complaint in writing to the Title VI Coordinator:

Accessibility, Civil Rights, and Equity Department
Santa Clara Valley
Transportation Authority
3331 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 952-8901

Complaints may also be filed directly with the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, and California’s Civil Rights Department.

VTA Title VI Complaint Process

Within 10 working days of receipt of the formal complaint, the Title VI Coordinator, or their designee, will acknowledge receipt of the complaint, and start the investigation process.

The investigation will address any allegations of discrimination based on race, color or national origin.

The investigation will be conducted and completed within 60 days of the receipt of the formal complaint.

Based upon all the information received, an investigation report will be written by the Title VI Coordinator, or their designee.

The complainant will receive a letter stating the final decision by the end of the 60-day time limit.

The complainant will have five (5) business days from receipt of the letter to appeal to VTA. If no appeal is received, the complaint will be closed. Appeals may also be made to the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, and California’s Civil Rights Department.

What is Title VI?

Title VI (codified at 42 U.S.C. §2000d et seq.) was enacted as part of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.​​​​​

How do I file a complaint?

If you believe that you have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color or national origin, by a VTA employee or contractor, you have the right to file a complaint with VTA. The complaint must be filed no later than 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory incident.

If you have a disability or need assistance completing the complaint form, please contact VTA’s Customer Service at (408) 321-2300, or customer.service@vta.org

The preferred method is to file your complaint in writing using the Title VI Complaint Form, and sending it to:

Title VI Coordinator
Accessibility, Civil Rights, and Equity Department
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
3331 North First Street
San Jose, CA 95134

Verbal complaints will be accepted and transcribed. To make a verbal complaint, call (408) 321-2300.

You also have the right to file a complaint with an external entity such as the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, Caltrans, and California’s Civil Rights Department.

Should a complaint be filed with VTA and an external entity at the same time, the external entity’s complaint shall supersede VTA’s complaint, and VTA’s complaint procedures will be put on hold pending the external entity’s findings.

 

Title VI Fact Sheets

Organizational Commitment and Complaint Procedure

Notice to the Public - Select Your Language

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