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DBE PLAN:

LEGAL NOTICE
METROWEST REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY (MWRTA)
NOTICE OF PROPOSED

DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (DBE) GOAL
FOR FFY 2024-2026

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) proposed overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for the FFY2024 through FFY2026 beginning 10/1/2023 is 2.6% of DOT-assisted contracts. This goal and its rationale have been developed in accordance with the Federal Transit Administration’s DBE program under the guidelines of 49 CFR Part 26. The goal and rationale are available for review for 30 calendar days from the date of this notice at the following links:

       MWRTA DBE Program

       MWRTA DBE Goal Setting Methodology

Comments will be accepted for 45 calendar days from the same date. Comments on the proposed goal and its rationale should be addressed to Eva Willens, DBE Liaison Officer, MWRTA, 15 Blandin Avenue, Framingham, MA 01702, telephone (508) 935-2222, or by e-mail at eva@mwrta.com.

August 1, 2023

Title VI Program Statement – Notice to Beneficiaries

 

Federal Nondiscrimination Protections

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits the discrimination of individuals on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs or activity that receives federal financial assistance.  Specifically, Title VI states that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including English proficiency), be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or to be subject to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.” (42 USC Section 2000d).  Related federal nondiscrimination laws administrated by the Federal Transit Administration prohibit discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and disability. These protected categories are contemplated within MWRTA Title VI Programs consistent with federal interpretation and administration. Additionally, MWRTA provides meaningful access to its programs, services, and activities to individuals with limited English proficiency, in compliance with US Department of Transportation policy and guidance on federal Executive Order 13166.

State Nondiscrimination Protections

MWRTA also complies with the Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, M.G.L. c 272 §§92a, 98, 98a, prohibiting making any distinction, discrimination, or restriction in admission to or treatment in a place of public accommodation based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or ancestry. MWRTA also complies with the Governor’s Executive Order 526, section 4, requiring all programs, activities, and services provided, performed, licensed, chartered, funded, regulated, or contracted for by the state shall be conducted without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, disability, veteran's status (including Vietnam-era veterans), or background.

The Metrowest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) is a strong supporter of civil rights in the workplace and our community; as such, we are committed to the letter and intent of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  This Title VI Program has been adopted to document MWRTA’s adherence to non-discrimination policies in its operations.

At the discretion of FTA, information other than what is required by this circular may be requested, in writing, from a recipient or subrecipient to investigate complaints of discrimination or to resolve concerns about possible non-compliance with Title VI.  To view this document, please click MWRTA Title VI Program Information.

If you need this information or have further questions about Title VI, please contact our Title VI Coordinator:

Eva Willens, Deputy Administrator

Metrowest Regional Transit Authority

15 Blandin Avenue

Framingham, MA 01702

Email:  eva@mwrta.com

Phone: (508) 935-2222

To view this policy in English, please click here.

Para ver esta politica en espanol, haga clic aqui.

Para visualizer esta politica em portugues, clique aqui. 

要以普通话查看此政策，请单击此处。

Title VI Complaint Policy in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and Chinese Mandarin. 

 

Title VI Complaint Policy

If you feel you have been discriminated against by MWRTA staff/contractors or service provided by the agency, please contact the MetroWest Title VI officer - Eva Willens at 508-935-2222. Ms. Willens will ask you to submit your complaint in writing using the form provided. Please include as much information as possible including date, time and location of the incident. Ms. Willens will investigate the complaint and get back to you within two weeks. If the investigation and resolution do not satisfy you, you have the right to appeal by contacting the agency Administrator, Jim Nee, who will provide a determination and a proposed resolution on the matter within a two week period. The MWRTA Transit Administrator may be contacted at 508-935-2222. If you remain unsatisfied with the determination and resolution of your complaint by the MWRTA, you are encouraged to contact the Federal Transit Administration at 617-494-2055 for further determination. When contacting the FTA please refer to Title VI complaints. MWRTA does not tolerate discrimination by any of its employees or contractors. It is our goal to work with you to ensure that all people are treated fairly in the provision of federally funded transit services.

Título VI de las reclamaciones

Si usted siente que ha sido discriminado por el personal MWRTA / contratistas o servicio prestado por la agencia, por favor ponte en contacto con el MetroWest título oficial de VI - Eva Willens al 508-935-2222. La Sra. Willens le pedirá que presente su queja por escrito en el formulario previsto. Por favor, incluya tanta información como sea posible, incluyendo la fecha, hora y lugar del incidente. La Sra. Willens investigará la denuncia y en contacto con usted dentro de dos semanas. Si la investigación y la resolución no le satisface, usted tiene el derecho de apelar en contacto con la administradora de la Agencia, Jim Nee, que proporcionará una determinación y una propuesta de resolución sobre el asunto dentro de un período de dos semanas. El MWRTA Tránsito Administrador puede ser contactado en 508-935-2222. Si te quedas satisfecho con la determinación y la resolución de su queja por el MWRTA, que se pongan en contacto con la Administración Federal de Tránsito en 617-494-2055 para la determinación posterior. Cuando se comunique con el TLC por favor, consulte el Título VI quejas. 46 MWRTA no tolera la discriminación por cualquiera de sus empleados o contratistas. Nuestro objetivo es trabajar con usted para asegurar que todas las personas reciban un trato justo en la prestación de los servicios de transporte de fondos federales.

Título VI da Política Reclamação

Se você sente que tem sido discriminado por MWRTA funcionários / contratados ou serviços prestados pela agência, entre em contato com o gestor Metrowest Título VI - Eva Willens em 508-935-2222. Ms. Willens vai pedir para você enviar a sua reclamação por escrito no formulário próprio. Por favor, inclua o máximo de informações possíveis, incluindo data, hora e local do incidente. Ms. Willens vai investigar a queixa e voltar para você em duas semanas. Se a investigação e resolução de não satisfazê-lo, você tem o direito de apelar em contato com a agência de Administrador, Jim Nee, que irá proporcionar uma determinação e uma proposta de resolução sobre o assunto dentro de um período de duas semanas. O MWRTA Trânsito administrador pode ser contactado em 508-935-2222. Se você ficar insatisfeito com a determinação e resolução de sua queixa pela MWRTA, que são incentivados a contactar a Administração Federal de Trânsito em 617-494-2055 para a nova determinação. Ao contatar o TLC consulte queixas Título VI. MWRTA não tolera a discriminação por qualquer de seus empregados ou terceiros contratados. É nosso objetivo de trabalhar com você para garantir que todas as pessoas são tratadas de forma justa na prestação de serviços de trânsito financiados pelo governo federal.

Chinese Mandarin

第六编申述政策 如果您觉得MetroWest区域交通管理局（MWRTA）的员工/承包人歧视您，或者在本机构提供的服务中遭受歧视，请拨打508-935-2222联系MetroWest第六编项目官员Eva Willens。Willens女士将要求您填写本文件提供的表格，以书面形式提交申述。请尽可能详尽地填写信息，包括提供事件发生的日期、时间和地点。Willens女士随后将会对申述展开调查并在两周内给予您答复。如果您对调查结果或解决方案不满意，您有权联系本机构主管Ed Carr进行上诉。Jim Nee也将在两周内就该事件作出决定和给出拟定的解决方案。您可拨打508-935-2222联系MetroWest区域交通管理局（MWRTA）交通主管。如果您对MetroWest区域交通管理局（MWRTA）针对您申述作出的决定或提议的解决方法仍然不满意，我们鼓励您拨打617-494-2055联系联邦交通管理局（Federal Transit Administration），请求该机构作出进一步决定。在联系联邦交通管理局（FTA）时，请表明是针对第六编的申述。MetroWest区域交通管理局（MWRTA）绝不容忍任何员工或承包人的歧视行为。我们的目标是与您共同努力，确保所有人在享有联邦财政资助的交通服务时受到平等对待。

In the past, consumers have requested documents considered vital in the Title VI Program.  We currently have the vital documents available in Spanish and Portuguese.  If information is needed in another language, then please contact MWRTA at (508) 935-2222.

Spanish: Si necesita información en otro idioma, comuníquese con MWRTA al (508) 935-2222.

Portuguese:  Se as informações forem necessárias em outro idioma, entre em contato com MWRTA em (508) 935-2222.

Russian:  Если необходима информация на другом языке, свяжитесь с MWRTA по телефону (508) 935-2222.

Polish: Jeśli potrzebne są informacje w innym języku, prosimy o kontakt z MWRTA pod numerem (508) 935-2222.

Chinese Mandarin:  如果需要其他语言的信息，请致电（508）935-2222与MWRTA联系。

Rúguǒ xūyào qítā yǔyán de xìnxī, qǐng zhìdiàn (508)935-2222 yǔ MWRTA liánxì.

Updated December 2020

Reasonable Accommodations Policy

Reasonable accommodations for passengers who request them may be applied unless MWRTA demonstrates that the utilization of the modification would fundamentally alter the nature of the service, program, or activity.

For example, MWRTA has a policy of no eating or drinking on the bus. However, the modification in the policy would be to allow an individual who has a medical condition, who needs to eat on a particular schedule, to do so.

Customers requesting an accommodation should notify MWRTA in advance whenever possible. In the event a decision is needed immediately, they should request from the driver, who will obtain guidance from a dispatcher or Supervisor, when necessary.

Service Animal Policy

The purpose of the MWRTA Service Animal Policy is to ensure that persons with disabilities are not affected by the use of their service animals while utilizing MWRTA services. The MWRTA makes accommodations for persons with disabilities who use service animals. 

Persons with disabilities who use service animals may board with the service animals regardless of fare category.  Operators may ask any passenger if their animals is a service animal and/or if the animal assists them with their disability, but cannot require certification or identification for service animals.  Passengers using service animals must keep them under their control at all times while on an MWRTA vehicle.  The animals must not pose a threat to the driver or other passengers.  Failure to do so may result in the passenger not being permitted to include their animal on a trip, unless the passenger resolves the issue to the satisfaction of the MWRTA. 

Emotional support, therapy, comfort, or companion animals are not considered service animals.  For further guidance, visit the Department of Justice website at: www.ada.gov/service_animals_2010.htm . 

Public Records Access Guidelines

Effective January 1, 2017, the Massachusetts Public Records Law, G.L. c.66 and c.4, §7(26) requires a response, within 10 business days (Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays), to a request for records by providing access to or a copy of such records, or explaining any delay or denial. These guidelines are intended to assist members of the public seeking access to public records in the custody of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA).

General Information:

1. Business Hours. The regular business hours of the MWRTA are Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

2. Records Access Officers. The following Records Access Officer (“RAO”) has been designated:

RAO:

Eva Willens, Deputy Administrator

MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA)

15 Blandin Avenue

Framingham, MA 01702

Tel: (508) 935 2222

Fax: (508) 935 2225

Email: eva@mwrta.com

The Records Access Officer is available to answer questions concerning and help facilitate the making of public records requests. Contact information for the RAO is also posted at www.mwrta.com

3. Public Records Law Information. General information about the public records law and public records requests is found in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s, “A Guide to the Massachusetts Public Records Law,” January 2017 edition, found online at: www.sec.state.ma.us/pre/prepdf/guide.pdf

To view the MWRTA Public Records Access Guidelines document and MWRTA Public Records Request Form please click MWRTA Public Records Access Guidelines and MWRTA Records Access Form.

June 2017

Privacy Policy

The MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) is committed to protecting privacy of our website visitors. MWRTA does NOT sell, trade, or rent your personal information to others. We use the information we collect to improve our services and to address the concerns of our commuters. The only time we would release personal information outside the provisions of our privacy policy is if we conclude, in good faith, that it is necessary to comply with legal requirements, to enforce our rights or to protect https://www.mwrta.com/, and yourself

App Specific Privacy Policy

 

For the privacy policy specific to MWRTA's rider information app, MWRTA Catch, please visit https://www.mwrta.com/catch/privacy 

Public Involvement Process- Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP)

 

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), Cape Ann Transportation Authority (CATA), and MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA), which are Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5307(c) applicants, have consulted with the MPO and concur that the public involvement process adopted by the MPO for the development of the Transportation Improvement Program satisfies the public hearing requirements that pertain to the development of the Program of Projects for regular Section 5307, Urbanized Area Formula Program, grant applications, including the provision for public notice and the time established for public review and comment. Please see https://www.bostonmpo.org/tip for the latest plan.

 

Rules for Riding the Bus Policy: 

For your safety and convenience, the MWRTA has adopted the following rules governing the operation of the bus service.

Rules for Riders:

1. Riders must follow the bus driver’s instructions.
2. Be courteous and respectful to the passengers and the bus driver at all times.
3. All passengers are required to pay the appropriate fare.
4. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.  The adult will be held responsible for the child’s actions.
5. Any child weighing less than 40 lbs., brought on board, must be held securely and remain in the lap of the accompanying adult (unless secured in a child safety seat). 
6. Mobility devices (strollers, walkers, wheel chairs, scooters, shopping carts, luggage, etc.) must be collapsed (if applicable), placed in the back of the bus and secured by the driver so as to not block the aisle.
7. No lewd or lascivious behavior.
8. No consumption of food or drink of any kind.  Open containers of alcohol are strictly prohibited. 
9. No smoking.
10. No profanity, fighting, hazing, boisterous behavior or harassment toward the bus driver or fellow passengers.
11. Electronic music devices that could disturb the bus driver or other passengers, such as video games, radios, CD or MP3 players must be used with headphones.
12. Talking on cellphones must be kept to a minimum.  Riders who must use his/her cellphone to make or receive a call on the bus may do so quietly to avoid disruption to other passengers and particularly the bus driver.
13. Do not leave any trash on the bus.
14. By law, all riders must remain behind the yellow safety line and cannot block exits while the bus is in service.
15. No vandalism.  In the case of vandalism by a minor, parents will be held financially liable.
16. Windows should only be opened at the discretion of the bus driver.
17. Bulky items which might interfere with the operation of the bus or with the movement or comfort of other passengers is prohibited.  No items may be left in the aisle at any time.
18. Shirt and shoes are required while riding on the bus.
19. Hazardous materials (i.e. containers of fuel, batteries, etc.) are not permitted on bus.

 

Any violation of the above rules should be reported to the bus driver or to MWRTA Customer Service.  Failure to comply with the above set of rules may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension and/or termination of rider privileges.

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