Snohomish County, Wash. – Community Transit is seeking public comment on its draft 2022-2025 Title VI Program that addresses how the agency engages minority and low-income populations.

Community Transit’s draft 2022-2025 Title VI Program is available online at communitytransit.org/title6. To provide comment people may email title6@commtrans.org, or provide live comment during a public hearing at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 5.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states that, “No person in the United States shall, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Federal legislation defines “minority populations,” and the agency uses this definition for Title VI compliance.

Over the next three years, the agency will conduct outreach and provide opportunities for people to give feedback on potential changes to Community Transit services, including fare policies.

As a recipient of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds, Community Transit is required to have a Title VI program that addresses how the agency engages minority and low-income populations in its service district. The program is updated and submitted to the FTA every three years based on input from the public and analysis of transit services.

Community Transit meets FTA objectives by promoting actions that:

• Ensure the level and quality of transportation service is provided without regard to race, color, or national origin.
• Identify and address disproportionately high impacts, and/or adverse effects of transit services, programs and activities on minority populations and low-income populations.
• Promote the full and fair participation of all affected populations in transportation decision making.
• Prevent the denial, reduction, or delay in benefits related to services, programs and activities that help minority populations or low-income populations.
• Ensure meaningful access to programs and activities by persons with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).

Community Transit provides all people equal access to its services and ensures a fair and transparent complaint process. Complaints about discrimination can be made at communitytransit.org/nondiscrimination.

Community Transit is responsible for providing bus and paratransit service, vanpool and alternative commute options in Snohomish County. The agency is building a network of Swiftbus rapid transit lines with Swift Blue Line along Highway 99, the Swift Green Line between Canyon Park/Bothell and Boeing/Paine Field, and the Swift Orange Line coming to Mill Creek and Lynnwood in 2024.