Public Rights Under Title VI

Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority operates its programs and services without regard to race,  color, and natural origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.  Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority.

For more information on the Cape Girardeau County Transit Authority civil rights program and the procedures to file a complaint, contact 573-335-5533, email info@cgcta.com, or visit our administrative office at 49 N Leming Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. You can also refer to the CGCTA Title VI Program documents listed under this notice.

A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Complaints must be filed within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence and should contain as much detailed information about the alleged discrimination as possible. The form must be signed and dated and include your contact information.  If information is needed in another language, contact 573-335-5533.

Procedure for Filing a Title VI Complaint

The complaint procedures apply to the beneficiaries of CGCTA programs, activities, and services.

RIGHT TO FILE A COMPLAINT:

 Any person who believes they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, or national origin by CGCTA may file a Title VI complaint by completing and submitting the agency’s Title VI Complaint Form. Title VI complaints must be received in writing within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory complaint.

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT: 

Information on how to file a Title VI complaint is posted on our agency’s website, and in public areas of our agency.

You may download the CGCTA Title VI Complaint Form from www.cgcta.com or request a copy by writing to CGCTA, 49 N Leming Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. Information on how to file a Title VI complaint may also be obtained by calling CGCTA at 573-335-5533.

You may file a signed, dated complaint no more than 180 days from the date of the alleged incident. The complaint should include:

• Your name, address and telephone number.
• Specific, detailed information (how, why, and when) about the alleged act of discrimination.
• Any other relevant information, including the names of any persons, if known, the agency should contact for clarity of the allegations.

Please submit your complaint form to CGCTA 49 N Leming Lane, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

COMPLAINT ACCEPTANCE: 

CGCTA will process complaints that are complete. Once a completed Title VI Complaint Form is received, CGCTA will review it to determine if CGCTA has jurisdiction. The complainant will receive an acknowledgment letter informing them whether or not the complaint will be investigated by CGCTA.

INVESTIGATIONS:

CGCTA will generally complete an investigation within 90 days of receiving a completed complaint form. If more information is needed to resolve the case, CGCTA may contact the complainant. Unless a longer period is specified by CGCTA, the complainant will have ten (10) days from the date of the letter to send the requested information to the CGCTA investigator assigned to the case. If the requested information is not received within that timeframe, the case will be closed. Also, a case can be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the case.

LETTERS OF CLOSURE OR FINDING:

After the Title VI investigator reviews the complaint, the Title VI investigator will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or 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 Letter of Finding (LOF) summarizes the allegations and provides an explanation of the corrective action taken.

If the complainant disagrees with CGCTA determination, the complainant may request reconsideration by submitting the request in writing to the Title VI investigator within seven (7) days after the date of the letter of closure or letter of finding, stating with specificity the basis for the reconsideration. CGCTA will notify the complainant of the decision either to accept or reject the request for reconsideration within ten (10) days. In cases where reconsideration is granted, CGCTA will issue a determination letter to the complainant upon completion of the reconsideration review.

If you need additional information or information in another language, contact CGCTA, Executive Director 573-335-5533.