Commitment To Nondiscrimination
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the following affiliated and subsidiary agencies: Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, MTA Bus Company, Construction and Development Company, the Grand Central Madison Concourse Operating Company, and New York City Transit Authority, including the Manhattan and Bronx Surface Transit Operating Authority and the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority (herein collectively referred to as “MTA” or “MTA Agencies”) are committed to the tenets of the Title VI Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the assurances of the MTA Title VI Notice to the Public.
Filing Title VI and Related Discrimination Complaints
If any person believes that they have been discriminated against by the MTA or any MTA Agency on the basis of race, color, national origin, including limited English proficiency, age, sex, disability, or religion, they have the right to file a Title VI Discrimination complaint.
How to File a Title VI/Discrimination Complaint
Individuals may make a complaint by telephoning the appropriate Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division, by emailing titlevicomplaints@mtahq.org, or by contacting MTA Customer Service at 511.
Individuals may also file a complaint by completing the Title VI and Related Nondiscrimination Laws Complaint Management Form and submitting it in person or mailing it to the appropriate Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division address listed on the form. Each MTA agency has its own Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division, and you can also find those addresses by clicking here.
A complaint is considered filed as of the date it is received by any Customer Service or Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division. Complaints must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination occurrence. The exception is with regards to sexual harassment allegations, which can be filed up to 3 years after the alleged occurrence, consistent with New York State law.
Initial Review of a Complaint
Once the MTA receives a complaint, a review is conducted to determine if sufficient information is provided to establish a potential Title VI violation covered by the MTA’s Title VI and Related Nondiscrimination Policy Directive. The review will also determine if the complaint has been submitted within 180 days or 3 years for allegations of sexual harassment, and that it does not duplicate a previous complaint made by the same person. The Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division may request additional information, and the person filing the complaint will be given a reasonable amount of time to respond.
A complaint will not be accepted for investigation and no further action will be taken if it is filed outside of the 180-day window (Exception: 3-year window for allegations of sexual harassment), if it duplicates a previous complaint, or if the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division determines that it is not covered by the MTA’s Title VI nondiscrimination policies. In this case, the person who filed the complaint will be notified within 15 business days that the case will not be investigated.
The Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division may close a complaint, at the discretion of the Equal Opportunity Officer, if the person who filed the complaint does not cooperate with the investigation, fails to respond or provide any additional information requested, or indicates that they no longer wish to pursue the complaint.
The Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division may not accept a complaint if there is insufficient evidence to conduct a thorough and fair investigation.
Investigation of A Complaint
If the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division determines that the complaint sufficiently alleges a violation as covered in the MTA All-Agency Title VI and Related Nondiscrimination Policy Directive, they will notify the person who filed the complaint, by mail or email, that it has been accepted for investigation. The letter will also let the person know that they have the right to file directly with Federal Transit Administration’s Office of Civil Rights.
The Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division will investigate Title VI Discrimination complaints for which it has sufficient information. Upon completion of an investigation, the person who filed the complaint will be notified of the outcome and any recommended corrective action.
To file a written complaint or to request more information about MTA’s Title VI and Related Nondiscrimination Laws Policy, individuals may contact a specific MTA Diversity and Equal Opportunity Division or contact:
MTA Headquarters
Department of Diversity and Civil Rights
2 Broadway, 16th Floor
New York, NY 10004
(800) 466-8577