Title VI Public Notice
As a recipient of federal funds, Kern Transit has certified and provided assurances that it will fully comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Kern Transit is committed to ensuring that no person shall be denied participation in its services 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.
No person or group of persons shall be discriminated against with regard to the routing, scheduling, or quality of transportation service that Kern Transit provides on the basis of race, color, or national origin. Frequency of service, age, and quality of vehicles assigned to routes, quality of stations serving different routes, and location of routes may not be determined on the basis of race, color, or national origin in full compliance with Title VI.
If you believe you have been the subject of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin, while using Kern Transit services, you may file a complaint.
TITLE VI COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
Introduction
As a recipient of federal dollars, Kern Transit is required to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and ensure that services and benefits are provided on a non-discriminatory basis. Kern Transit has in place the following Title VI Complaint Procedure which outlines the process for receiving, reviewing, and resolving Title VI complaints. This Procedure is consistent with guidelines found in the Federal Transit Administration Circular 4702.1B, dated October 1, 2012.
Submitting a Complaint
Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by Kern Transit may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. Please review the following documents before completing the form:
The Form can be mailed to:
Kern Transit
Title VI Compliance Coordinator
2700 M Street, Suite 400
Bakersfield, CA 93301
A complaint may be made in person at the above address.
A complaint can also be phoned to (661) 862-5032
Investigation of Complaints
Kern Transit investigates complaints received no more than 90 days after the alleged incident. Kern Transit will only process complaints that are complete.
Within 10 business days of receiving the complaint, Kern Transit will review it to verify the incident occurred within Kern Transit’s jurisdiction. The person submitting the complaint (complainant) will receive a letter informing him/her whether or not the complaint will be investigated by Kern Transit. Kern Transit will take no more than 30 days to investigate the complaint. If the investigation will take longer than 30 days, the complainant will be notified as to the cause of the extension.
If more information is needed to resolve the case, Kern Transit may contact the complainant. The complainant has 10 business days from the date of contact to send the additional information to Kern Transit. If Kern Transit is not contacted by the complainant or does not receive the additional information within 10 business days, Kern Transit can close the case.
A case can also be closed if the complainant states verbally or in writing that he or she no longer wishes to pursue the investigation.
After a review of the complaint, one of two letters will be sent to the complainant: either a closure letter or a letter of finding (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI violation and that the case will be closed. A LOF summarizes the allegations and the interviews regarding the alleged incident and explains whether any disciplinary action, additional training of the staff member, or other action will occur.
Appeals
If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, he or she has 10 business days after the date of the letter to do so. The complainant must contact the Title VI Compliance Coordinator at the address or phone number listed above.