Persons who believe they have been excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of, the Capital Region Transportation Council's metropolitan transportation planning process on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or economic status, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations, may file a complaint to the Capital Region Transportation Council by sending a written complaint to Title VI Coordinator, Capital Region Transportation Council, 1 Park Place, Albany, New York 12205, or by sending an e-mail to info@capitalmpo.org.
If information is needed in another language, please contact us at 518-458-2161 or info@capitalmpo.org.
Employee and prospective employee complaints are to follow Capital Region Transportation Council’s Employee Handbook, provided to all employees and otherwise available from Capital Region Transportation Council’s Executive Director.
The complainant’s identity will only be disclosed with his or her consent. However, we may be unable to investigate allegations without permission to release the complainant’s identity and complaint. After the complainant has authorized the release of his/her name, only those persons directly involved in investigating, processing, or providing pertinent information to establish the facts of a complaint will be made aware of its content or details.
Capital Region Transportation Council will reply to all complainants and will investigate all complaints over which it has jurisdiction or control.
In addition to or instead of the Capital Region Transportation Council procedure, complaints may also be filed directly with the Federal Highway Administration, at FHWA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington DC 20590; the Federal Transit Administration, at Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights, Attention Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor –TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20590; or the New York State Department of Transportation, at Office of Civil Rights, New York State Department of Transportation, 50 Wolf Road, 6th Floor, Albany, New York 12232 or email at OCR-TitleVI@dot.ny.gov.
CAPITAL REGION TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL COMPLAINT PROCEDURE
A formal, written complaint must be filed (see step 2 below) within 30 calendar days of the date the incident occurred or within 30 calendar days of the effective date of the action. The time limits may be extended if the complainant has been prevented by circumstances beyond his/her control from submitting the complaint, within the prescribed period or for other reasons considered sufficient by the Capital Region Transportation Council Administrative and Financial Standing Subcommittee.
Step 1: (Optional) Informal Resolution
A person can, if desired, seek an informal (oral) resolution directly with the Capital Region Transportation Council Executive Director, who is also the Title VI Coordinator. The complainant should note that an informal meeting does not count toward the 30 calendar day deadline for initiating a complaint. Only submission of a formal written complaint within the 30 calendar day deadline will meet the Capital Region Transportation Council deadline for initiation of a complaint.
Step 2: Filing of Complaint
A person formally initiates the complaint procedure by filing in writing a complaint with the Title VI Coordinator (Executive Director). The complaint shall be submitted on the following form and should be as complete as possible, but must include the person’s name and contact information, the date of the incident, the identity of the person, program or service that caused the complaint, the basis of the discrimination, and the signature of the person complaining. Upon request, complaints may be received in alternate formats by persons with disabilities.
All complaints against the Capital Region Transportation Council will not be investigated by the Transportation Council, but will be forwarded to NYSDOT within 10 business days.
A written finding of the merits of the complaint, and remedial actions will be sent to the complainant within 30 calendar days of the filing of the complaint.
Step 3: Appeal of Finding
The complainant has the right to appeal the finding. The appeal is sent to the chairperson of the Capital Region Transportation Council Administrative and Financial Standing Subcommittee (A&F). The appeal should include the original complaint as well as an explanation of why the finding and any recommended remedial actions are unsatisfactory.
The chairperson of the A&F Subcommittee will appoint a committee, composed of at least three (3) A&F members, to investigate the appeal. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the full A&F Subcommittee within sixty (60) calendar days of receiving the appeal. The A&F Subcommittee will then render its decision.
This decision is the final decision within the Capital Region Transportation Council structure. Any further action on the complaint must be through the Federal Highway Administration, at FHWA Office of Civil Rights, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington DC 20590; the Federal Transit Administration, at Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights, Attention Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor –TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, D.C. 20590; or the New York State Department of Transportation, at Office of Civil Rights, New York State Department of Transportation, 50 Wolf Road, 6th Floor, Albany, New York 12232 or email at OCR-TitleVI@dot.ny.gov.
