Notice of Non-Discrimination
Pierce Transit grants all people equal access to its transportation services. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, age, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, income, English proficiency, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability as provided by the legal statutes listed below, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity.
ADA
No person with a disability shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that receives Federal funding. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibit discrimination based on disability.
Pierce Transit has designated the Civil Rights Officer, as the employee responsible for ensuring compliance and for administering the prompt and equitable resolution of ADA discrimination complaints. You may contact Pierce Transit's Civil Rights Officer at crofficer@piercetransit.org or call Customer Service (253) 581-8000, option 2.
Pierce Transit’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. (CLICK HERE)
Title VI
No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any Pierce Transit program or activity, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and as amended, and the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (P.L. 100.259).
Pierce Transit operates its programs without regard to race, color, or national origin.
Notices of Title VI rights are posted on the agency’s website at: www.piercetransit.org/pierce-transit-title-vi-notice as well as at the entrances of customer service facilities.
Pierce Transit’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. (CLICK HERE)
Other Protected Class Complaints
Pierce Transit grants all people equal access to its transportation services.
Pierce Transit’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. (CLICK HERE)
Discrimination Complaint Procedure
(Title VI, ADA, and other protected classes)
Any person who believes they were discriminated against by Pierce Transit on the basis of race, color, national origin, ADA (disability), or other protected class, may file a discrimination complaint by contacting the agency’s Civil Rights Officer or Customer Service.
File a complaint verbally or in writing (by phone, email, or submit a complaint form)
All complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.
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Call Customer Service at (253) 581-8000.
Provide your name, telephone number and email address and share what happened in as much detail as possible.Accessibility and Limited-English Proficiency: If you need assistance filing a complaint in an accessible format or another language contact Customer Service (253) 581-8000 or TTY 711 for deaf and hard of hearing customers.
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Download or print a copy of the discrimination complaint form.
Download forms here in English or Spanish
Email or send the completed form to crofficer@piercetransit.org; or to Pierce Transit, ATTN: Civil Rights Officer, 3701 96th St SW, Lakewood, WA 98499. - Email the Civil Rights Officer at crofficer@piercetransit.org
How Pierce Transit responds to Title VI, ADA, and other Discrimination Complaints
When Pierce Transit receives a discrimination complaint, the Civil Rights Officer will determine if the agency has jurisdiction. The Complainant will receive an acknowledgment letter within 15 business days, informing them whether the complaint will be investigated.
The Civil Rights Officer has 60 days to investigate the complaint. If more information is needed to resolve the complaint, the investigator may contact the complainant. The complainant has 15 business days to provide additional information, as requested. If the investigator does not receive the information within 15 business days, the Civil Rights Officer can administratively close the complaint. A complaint can also be administratively closed at any time if the Complainant no longer wishes to purse their complaint.
After the investigator reviews the complaint, they will issue one of two letters to the complainant: a closure letter or Letter of Findings (LOF). A closure letter summarizes the allegations and states that there was not a Title VI, ADA, or other violation, and that the investigation will be closed. A LOF summarizes the allegations and investigative findings and discusses any additional training of the employee or other actions.
If the Complainant wishes to appeal the decision, they have 15 days from the date of the closure letter or LOF to submit a letter to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to request an independent review. The CEO will issue a letter either confirming the closure or LOF and notify the Complainant of the decision within 30 business days of receipt of the appeal. The CEO review is final and binding. Send appeals to: Mike Griffus, CEO, C/O Pierce Transit, 3701 96th St. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
You may also file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Complaint Team, East Building, 5th Floor – TCR 1200, New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590, or call 888.446.4511.
Non-Retaliation
Pierce Transit will not retaliate against anyone who takes action to oppose discrimination, files a grievance, or participates in the investigation of a complaint in accordance with the above federal and state laws.
