Title VI

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance. These protections are detailed in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1.B.

To receive additional information on BFT’s antidiscrimination practices, including our Title VI complaint procedures, please contact us at 509.734.5170.

Filing a Title VI Complaint

Individuals may file a signed, written complaint within 180 days from the date of the alleged discrimination. The complaint should include the following information:

• Name, mailing address, and how to contact you (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.)
• How, when, where and why they believe they were discriminated against. Including the location, names and contact information of any witnesses.
• Other information that they deem significant

The complaint may be filed in writing, or individuals may contact Ben Franklin Transit at the following address or phone numbers:

Ben Franklin Transit
Title VI Coordinator
1000 Columbia Park Trail

Richland, WA 99352-4851
Phone: 509.734.5170 / Fax: 509.735.4392

BFT encourages all complainants to submit complaints in writing, preferably through certified mail through the U.S. Postal Service, and/or ensure that all written correspondence can be tracked easily. For complaints originally submitted by fax, an original, signed copy of the complaint must be mailed to the Title VI Coordinator as soon as possible, but no later than 180 days after the complainant becomes aware of possible discrimination. Verbal complainants will be advised to follow this procedure and if unable to, accommodation for any disability, language concern or other issue to be arranged by the Title VI Coordinator.

Complaint after submitted to BFT

All complaints alleging discrimination based on income, race, color, or national origin in a service or benefit provided by BFT will be directly addressed by BFT. BFT shall also provide appropriate assistance to complainants, including those persons with disabilities, or who are limited in their ability to communicate in English. Additionally, BFT shall make every effort to address all complaints in an expeditious and thorough manner.

In instances where additional information is needed for investigation of the complaint, BFT will appropriately contact the complainant, in writing unless otherwise requested. Please note that in responding to any requests for additional information, a complainant’s failure to provide the requested information may result in the administrative closure of the complaint.

Once sufficient information for investigating the complaint is received by BFT, BFT will prepare a draft written response subject to review by the transit’s attorney. If appropriate, the BFT attorney may administratively close the complaint. In this case, BFT will notify the complainant of the action as soon as possible.

Notification of Outcome of a Complaint

BFT will send a final written response to the complainant and advise the complainant of his or her right to:

1. Appeal within seven calendar days of receipt of the final written decision from BFT and/or
2. File a complaint externally with the U.S. Department of Transportation and/or the Federal Transit Administration.

BFT will make every effort to respond to Title VI complaints within five working days of receipt of such complaints, if not sooner. In addition to the complaint process described above, a complainant may file a Title VI complaint with the following offices: