Title VI Policy

Know Your Rights

Federal law prohibits discrimination. This law is known commonly as Title VI. The phrase “title six” refers to a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, or socioeconomic status in any program or service that receives federal funds. The Seneca Transit System (STS) knows how important it is to make sure that the work it does is fair and meets all the requirements of Title VI.

Our Policy

The STS assures that all of the services, programs, and activities that we provide are administered fairly, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, or economic status. The STS also makes efforts to prevent discrimination through the impacts of its programs on minority and low-income populations. In addition, STS takes reasonable steps to provide meaningful access to programs for persons with limited English proficiency.

Do You Feel That You Have Been Treated Unfairly?

If you believe that you have been treated unfairly, you may file a complaint. Complaints may be filed by any person who believes that he or she has been excluded from participation in, been denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any service, program, or activity of the STS, and believes the discrimination is based upon race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, economic status, or limited English proficiency. All complaints will be investigated.

A complaint must be submitted within 180 days of the alleged discriminatory act.

Federal laws prohibit a recipient of federal funds from retaliating against any person who has made a complaint, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing. Any person alleging discrimination may file a written or oral complaint with:

How Do I Find Out More?

Contact us with your questions or comments:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.  The Federal Transit Administration requires the Seneca Nation (SN) Seneca Transit System (STS) to use nondiscriminatory practices in public transportation.  Any person who believes she or he has been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with the STS by using the Title VI Complaint Form which is available at SN Department of Transportation office or at the STS website, www.sni.org/sts.

If you believe you or others:

• have been discriminated against due to race, color, language barrier, or national origin
• have been excluded from participation in or denied the benefits
• have been subject to discrimination under any STS transit service, program or activity

For information of the STS’s Title VI program or if you wish to exercise your right to register a Title VI complaint by writing to or calling:

Transit Manager
Department of Transportation
90 Ohi:Yo’ Way
Salamanca, NY  14779
Website: www.sni.org/sts

W: 716-945-1790 x3068/x5018 | TDD: 711
M: 716.801.1468
F: 716.945.6487
E-Mail: sts@sni.org

Additionally, if you or others believe you have been discriminated against, you mail 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, 5^th Floor –TCR, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC, 20590.

If information is needed in another language, contact the STS Transit Manager at 716-945-1790 x3068, 716-532-4900 x5018 or mobile: 716-801-1468 and the language of choice will be accommodated.

Language Assistance

The Seneca Nation (SN) Seneca Transit System (STS) does not discriminate against individuals that may encounter a language barrier in the distribution of documents and materials associated with the STS. In the occurrence of a situation where an individual has limited English proficiency and the English language is a barrier to the individual’s ability to access information concerning documents and materials associated with the STS, STS will arrange for language assistance services to enable a translation of the aforementioned documents for said individual.

Public Participation Plan

The Seneca Nation (SN) Seneca Transit System (STS) makes efforts to reach out to its community on the operation by publishing notices of the opportunity to request public comments on grant applications, proposed service changes, and changes to the fare structure of the STS.  The aforementioned notices are posted on various electronic media formats including the STS website and published in local print.  The STS maintains a list of social service, human service, public and private transportation providers, including taxi operators, and local institutions and transmits all notices associated with the STS to the listed entities to afford the opportunity to review any comments on proposed changes. In the STS service area, this list includes entities which may represent minority and limited English proficient populations.

Title VI information, including Title VI complaint procedures and forms are posted on the STS website.  Title VI information is also displayed in public areas associated with STS.

Notice to Beneficiaries

The STS has published a Notice to Beneficiaries stating that the STS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving federal financial assistance.  The notice includes procedures, by which, an individual can contact the STS for information on its Title VI program or exercise the individual’s right to submit a Title VI complaint to the STS or the Federal Transit Administration. The published Notice to Beneficiaries has been posted on the STS website and the Notice to Beneficiaries has been translated to Spanish and posted on the STS Website.

Language Assistance Program:

The STS does not discriminate against individuals that may encounter a language barrier in the distribution of documents and materials associated with the STS. In the occurrence of a situation where an individual has limited English proficiency and the English language is a barrier to the individual’s ability to access information concerning documents and materials associated with the STS, the STS will arrange for language assistance services to enable a translation of the aforementioned documents for said individual.  The STS has translated its Notice to Beneficiaries of Protections available under the Title VI program into Spanish and the Notice is posted on the STS website. Procedures, by which and individual may request language assistance are available on the STS website.

STS Passenger Behavior Policy

The STS has published and posted on the STS website its Passenger Behavior Policy, also known as the Code of Conduct, and distributed the policy on STS buses during operation of service.

Community Participation

The SN recognizes the importance and value of regular and meaningful public participation in the planning  process to engage communities and foster collaborative relationships with other agencies and programs.  The SN passed a resolution at May 2017 Council adopting a comprehensive Public Participation Plan (PPP) to provide guidance on public involvement.

The STS continues to participate in efforts to enhance regional coordination and cooperation in the delivery of transportation services. The Southern Tier West Regional Planning and Development Board convenes the Regional Mobility Management Committee with representatives from all three counties (Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua) and the Seneca Nation. Representation on the Committee includes STS, Access Allegany, Chautauqua Area Regional Transit System (CARTS), Olean Area Transit System (OATS); The ReHabilitation Center in Olean and the Resource Center in Jamestown; Chautauqua Works in Jamestown; Cattaraugus County Planning Department; and NYS Department of Transportation.

Representatives of OATS, Access Allegany, CARTS, and STS conduct meetings during which opportunities and activities to coordinate public transportation services among operations are discussed. The continuation of established partnering agreements provides the opportunity for the cost efficient provision of public transportation services to the region. It is anticipated that existing partnering agreements will be reviewed and renewed annually.

An update to the Cattaraugus County Coordinated Plan calls for identifying strategies to address gaps, eliminate duplications, and improve the efficiency of the use of available resources in the delivery of regional transportation services in the region. The Seneca Nation participates in regional discussions to identify opportunities and resources to implement such strategies.