The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) 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 protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.
It is MTS’ objective to:
- Ensure that transportation service levels and quality of service are 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 public transportation 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 public transportation programs and activities that benefit minority populations or low-income populations
- Ensure meaningful access to public transportation programs and activities by persons with limited English proficiency
MTS provides a formal process for the investigation and resolution of any complaint that alleges exclusion or denial of benefits based on race, color or national origin.
Who can file a complaint?
Any person who believes that they have, individually or as a member of any specific class of persons, been subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color or national origin, may file a Title VI complaint with MTS. A complaint must be filed within 180 days after the date of the alleged discrimination.
How do I file a Title VI Complaint?
If you believe you have been discriminated against, you may file a written complaint within 180 days of the date of alleged discrimination. Complaints shall provide all pertinent facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination that will help MTS reach a decision. The complaint should include the following information:
- Your name, address and contact information (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.)
- How, when, where and why you believe you were discriminated against. Include the location, names and contact information of any witnesses.
Complaints sent to MTS should be emailed, mailed or dropped off to the following:
San Diego Metropolitan Transit System
Attn: Deputy General Counsel
1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 1000
San Diego, CA 92101
TitleVIComplaints@sdmts.com
(619) 557-4539
Printable Form:
Tiêu Đề VI Đơn Khiếu Nại – Việt (Vietnamese)
Форма жалобы по Статье VI – ру́сский язы́к (Russian)
ទម្រង់បែបបទបណ្ដឹងនៃមាតិកា VI – ភាសាខ្មែរ (Khmer)
ຂໍ້ ີທ VI ແບບຟອມການຮໍ້ ອງທຸ ກ – ລາວ (Laotian)
タイトルVI差別苦情届出書 – 日本人 (Japanese)
نموذج شكوى الباب السادس – العربية (Arabic)
فرم شکايت مربوط به فصل شش – فارسی (Persian)
Form ng Reklamo sa ilalim ng Titolo VI – Tagalog (Tagalog)
ܬܪܥܐ ܫܬܝܬܝܐ ܦܘܪܡܐ ܕܫܟܝܬܐ (Assyrian)
ܬܪܥܐ ܫܬܝܬܝܐ ܦܘܪܡܐ ܕܫܟܝܬܐ (Chaldean)
Complaint Assistance
MTS Customer Service will assist with writing a complaint if the complainant is unable to do so.
In addition to your right to file a complaint with MTS, you have the right to file a Title VI complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation:
United States Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
What happens to my complaint at MTS?
All complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color or national origin will be documented and an investigation will be initiated within 10 days of receiving the complaint. If additional information is needed, MTS will contact the complainant or their representative in writing. MTS will provide appropriate assistance to complainants, including those persons with disabilities, or who are limited in their ability to communicate in English. Failure of the complainant to provide the requested information by a certain date may result in the administrative closure of the complaint.
When will I be notified of the outcome?
MTS will make every effort to communicate its response to Title VI complaints within 90 working days of receipt. MTS will send a final written response to the complainant. The complainant will also be advised of their right to appeal the response to federal and state authorities as appropriate.
How can I request additional information about MTS’ Title VI obligations?
To receive additional information on MTS’ Title VI nondiscrimination obligations, please contact the Deputy General Counsel at either (619) 557-4539, TitleVIComplaints@sdmts.com, or 1255 Imperial Avenue, Suite 1000, San Diego, CA 92101.
Notice of Availability of Free Language Assistance
MTS provides vital documents translated into languages other than English.
Written translations are available as follows:
- All vital and many non-vital documents are provided in English and Spanish.
- The Title VI Complaint Form is available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Chinese, Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Korean, Laotian, Japanese, Russian, Mandarin, Cambodian, Khmer, Assyrian and Chaldean.
- The Title VI Information and Complaint Process is available in all above languages using the Google Translate widget incorporated into the top of the webpage.
- Additional vital documents readily available in Vietnamese and Tagalog are the MTS Rider's Guide and applications for reduced fare identification cards.
- Most vital documents will be provided in any language identified above upon request, allowing 1-2 weeks for translation.
- MTS may translate outreach materials and other documents for a specific event or change as necessary, as warranted by the local population affected.
Verbal interpretation for vital service information is available as follows:
- Front-line administrative and call center assistance (MTS Information and Trip Planning, MTS Customer Service, MTS PRONTO Card office) is readily available in English and Spanish.
- Interpretive service for all other languages noted above is available through the MTS Information and Trip Planning line with a two-day advanced notice by calling (619) 233-3004.
- MTS may offer interpretive services for a specific event as necessary, as warranted by the local population affected.
Additional References and Documents
- Vehicle Assignment Policy
- Transit Amenities Policy
- MTS Language Assistance Plan
- MTS Public Participation Plan
- MTS Board Policy No. 42 Transit Service Evaluation and Adjustment
- MTS Board Policy No. 48 Transit Service Discrimination Complaints Procedure
Additional Resources
United States Department of Transportation
Federal Transit Administration
Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590
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
(866) 810-6346
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep/title_vi/t6_index.htm