Investigations

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GCTD will promptly investigate all complaints of alleged discrimination on the basis of disability in its services and programs. GCTD will process and investigate alleged complaints within 40 days of receiving a complete complaint. GCTD may contact the Complainant if more information is needed to resolve the complaint. GCTD may choose to close the complaint if the requested information is not received in a timely fashion. A complaint can also be administratively closed if the complainant no longer wishes to pursue the complaint, or if the complainant fails to cooperate in the investigation of the complaint. 

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Notification of Findings

After the investigation is complete, GCTD will make a final decision and will notify all associated parties of its preliminary findings in a written decision letter.

 

Right to Appeal

A complainant may appeal a final decision resulting from an ADA investigation by submitting a written appeal to GCTD no later than ten (10) business days after receipt of the final decision letter. The appeal letter must be sent to:

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GCTD

ADA Complaints Liaison / Complaints Appeal

1415 33rd St. N

Texas City, TX 77590

Email: customerservice@gulfcoasttransitdistrict.com

Phone: 1-800-266-232

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Title VI Complaint Process

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A Title VI Complaint form can be obtained by calling GCTD at 1-800-266-2320, emailing customerservice@gulfcoasttransitdistrict.com, or by mail to:

 

Gulf Coast Transit District

Attn: Customer Service Representative

1415 33rd St. N, Texas City, TX 77590​

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The Title VI Complaint form should include the following:

1. Complainants name, signature, address, and current contact information (telephone number, mailing address, etc.);

2. Time and date of the alleged discrimination;

3. Description of how, when, where the alleged discrimination occurred;

4. Description of why the complainant believes they were discriminated against, including a detailed description of why the complainant believes they were treated differently than others;

5. Name and contact information of any witness(es); and

6. Any other information the complainant believes is relevant to their complaint.

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Methods of Filing a Complaint:

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• Mail: The preferred method is to mail the written complaint using the Title VI Complaint Form. Complaints should be mailed to:

  Gulf Coast Transit District, Attention TITLE VI, 1415 33rd St. N, Texas City, TX 77590.

• Phone: Complainant may call in their complaint to the GCTD Customer Service Representative at 1-800-266-2320. If it is determined that the complaint is a Title VI complaint, the complainant will be asked to complete a Title VI Complaint Form, which will be sent to them via mail or email, based on their preference.

• Incomplete Complaints: When a complaint is deemed incomplete, or additional information is needed during the investigation process, GCTD will contact the complainant in writing within fifteen (15) working days from the date the complaint is received to request the additional information. The complainant will have thirty (30) business days to submit the required information. Failure to provide the requested information by the required date may result in the administrative closure of the complaint.

• Assistance Filing the Complaint: In the case where a complainant is unable to provide a written statement, a verbal complaint of discrimination may be made to the Customer Service Representative by calling 1-800-266-2320. The Customer Service Representative will complete the form and mail the form to the complainant for review and signature. The complainant must submit the form by mail or in person. If the complainant needs assistance in person, he/she may make an appointment with the Customer Service Representative, free of charge. Appointments are held at the GCTD offices under these circumstances. The Customer Service Representative will interview the complainant and assist with completing the Title VI Complaint Form.

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Investigation of Title VI Complaints

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1. All Title VI complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color, or national origin are recorded and entered into GCTD’s complaints database immediately upon receipt. All complaints will be investigated promptly, and reasonable measures will be taken to protect any information that is confidential.

2. Within fifteen (15) business days of receiving the complaint, the GCTD Corporate Compliance Officer or authorized designee will provide written acknowledgment of the complaint. The acknowledgment will include a determination as to whether or not the GCTD/GCTD has jurisdiction over the matter, and, if so, whether or not the complaint has sufficient merit to warrant a formal investigation.

3. If it is determined that the complaint is to be investigated, the GCTD Corporate Compliance Officer or authorized designee will request that the GCTD Title VI Officer conduct a formal investigation into the complaint.

4. An investigative report will be submitted to the Transportation Director within sixty (60) days from receipt of the complaint. The report will include a description of the incident, summaries of all statements from persons interviewed, the finding/s, and recommendations for proposed resolution where appropriate. If the investigation is delayed for any reason, the Title VI Officer or authorized designee will notify the GCTD Corporate Compliance Officer and request the needed extension. If granted, the Title VI Officer will notify the complainant of the delay in writing.

5. The Transportation Director or authorized designee will issue letters of finding to the complainant stating the final decision as a result of the investigation process.

6. If the complainant wishes to appeal the decision, he/she may do so in writing directly to the Manager of Human Resources of GCTD. The Manager of Human Resources will review all documentation and contact any relevant sources to complete the review. A written determination will be forwarded to the complainant and other appropriate parties within one week of receipt of the appeal.

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GCTD has the authority for accepting complaints about the investigation. Complainants may also file complaints with TxDOT or the Federal Transit Administration within 180 days of the alleged offense. If complainants would like to file with TxDOT, please send a written complaint to TxDOT Public Transportation, 3712 Jackson Avenue, Building 6, 5th floor, Austin, Texas 78731. If complainants would like to file with the FTA regional office, please send a written complaint to FTA Region VI, 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A36, Fort Worth, TX 76102. If complainants would like to file with the FTA Civil Rights Office, please send a written complaint to Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Complaint Team, East Building, 5th Floor – TCR. 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

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Legal Notices & Disclosures

Title VI Public Notice

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The Gulf Coast Transit District (GCTD) hereby gives public notice that it is GCTD’s policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. Title VI requires that no person in the United States of America shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint with GCTD. Any such complaint must be in writing or by phone and filed with GCTD’s Title VI Coordinator within one hundred and eighty (180) days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Title VI Discrimination Complaint Forms may be obtained from this office at no cost to the complainant by calling 1-800-266-2320.

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If you like more information on Title VI, please visit the GCTD website https://www.gulfcoasttransitdistrict.com, contact GCTD via phone at 1-800-266-2320, via email customerservice@gulfcoasttransitdistrict.com, or via mail at 1415 E 33rd St N, Texas City, TX 77590.

GCTD will provide translations of all requested documents or provide a translator at any public meetings at no cost.

This notice is to be posted in the offices, on our website at https://www.gulfcoasttransitdistrict.com, on transit vehicles, and at transit shelters.

If information is needed in another language, contact GCTD’s Customer Service Representative at 1-800-266-2320.

 

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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and Goal Policy Statement

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The Gulf Coast Transit District (GCTD) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). GCTD has received federal financial assistance from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and, as a condition of receiving this assistance, the GCTD has signed an assurance that it will comply with 49 CFR part 26, Participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprises in Department of Transportation Financial Assistance Programs. It is the policy of GCTD to ensure that DBES are defined in part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts. It is also our policy:

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1. To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT/FTA-assisted contracts;

2. To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT/FTA-assisted contracts;

3. To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;

4. To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBEs;

5. To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT/FTA-assisted contracts;

6. To assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE program.

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Implementation of the DBE program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by the GCTD in its financial assistance agreements with the FTA.

2021 – 2023 DBE Goal Public Notice

2021 – 2023 DBE Goal Calculation

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Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

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It is the policy of the GCTD that equal opportunity shall be afforded to all persons without regard to race, color, religion, sex, creed, national origin, age, marital status, physical disability, or handicap. This policy shall apply to all matters relating to recruitment, hiring, selection, compensation, promotion, transfer, training, discipline, lay-off, termination, or any activity which applies to full-time and part-time employees. GCTD is committed to providing non-discriminatory service and does not discriminate as to age, sex, color, race, national origin, religion or non-religion, or disability. If information is needed in another language or in an alternative format, contact GCTD’s Customer Service Representative at 1-800-266-2320 or via email at customerservice@gulfcoasttransitdistrict.com