Title VI Civil Rights and Limited English Proficiency

Know Your Civil Rights

Notifying passengers of TCAT, Inc. and its complementary paratransit provider, Gadabout Transportation Services, of their Civil Rights Under Title VI or ADA.

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc., (TCAT, Inc.) and its paratransit provider, Gadabout Transportation Services, operate their services without regards to race, color and national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with TCAT, Inc.

TCAT will investigates complaints received no more than 180 days after the alleged incident. The complainant will receive an acknowledgement within 10 business days from receipt of correspondence informing her/him whether the complaint will be investigated by our office. TCAT has 30 calendar days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the case, TCAT may contact the complainant. The complainant has 30 business days from the date of the letter or other correspondence to send requested information to the investigator assigned to the case. If TCAT does not receive the additional information within 30 business days, TCAT can administratively close the case. A case can be administratively closed also if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the matter.

TCAT will send one of two letters: 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 is closed. An 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. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, she/he has 30 days after the date of the closure letter or LOF to do so.

For more information regarding TCAT, Inc.’s or Gadabout’s civil rights program and the procedures to file a complaint, please contact Patty Poist, TCAT, Inc. Title VI Coordinator (607) 277‑9388, ext. 560 or email tcat@tcatmail.com or pp1@tcatmail.com or visit our administrative offices at 737 Willow Ave., Ithaca, NY, 14850.

A person may file a written complaint directly with:

  • Tompkins County Compliance Officer, Department of County Administration, 3rd Floor, 125 East Court Street, Ithaca, NY 14850; phone (607)-275-5551; email: ctyadmin@tompkins-co.org; website: https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/tccp/titlevi .
  • Or the Federal Transit Administration by filing it with the Office of Civil Rights: Attention Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building 5th Floor‑TCR, 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590; phone: (888) 446-4511; email: FTACivilRightsCommunications@dot.gov 
  • Or the New York State Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights: 50 Wolf Road, 6th Floor; Albany, NY 12232; (518) 457-1129 Fax (518) 549-1273; OCR-TitleVI@dot.ny.gov
  • If you know of someone or you need a language translator, call TCAT at (607)277‑7433 or Gadabout at (607)273­‑1878.
  • 如果您需要语言翻译,请拨打(607)277‑7433致电TCAT或拨打(607)273­‑1878致电Gadabout
  • 만약 한국어 통역이 필요하시면, TCAT에 (607)277-7433 혹은 Gadabout에 (607)273-1878로 전화하십시오
  • Si Usted necesita un interprete, por favor llame a TCAT (607)277‑7433 o Gadabout (607)273­‑1878.
  • Если вам нужен вызов переводчик: TCAT (607)277‑7433 Gadabout (607)273‑1878.
  • Si vous avez besoin d’un traducteur de langage, téléphonez à TCAT au (607)277‑7433 ou à Gadabout au (607)273­‑1878.