Civil Rights

Title VI Information:

Madison County Transit (MCT) operates programs without regard to race, color or national origin. MCT is committed to providing safe and affordable non-discriminatory transportation services.

To submit a Title VI Complaint, print and complete this form. Submit by faxing to: (618) 797-7547, e-mail to  info@mct.org  or mail to:

Madison County Transit District
Attn: Managing Director
1 Transit Way
Pontoon Beach, IL 62040

For questions, please call 618-797-4600.

The complaint should include the following information:

1. Name, address, and phone number of the individual making the complaint.
2. Basis of the complaint, i.e., race, color, or national origin.
3. The date or dates on which the alleged discriminatory event(s) occurred.
4. Names, addresses, and phone numbers of person(s) who were allegedly discriminated against.
5. Description of the incident resulting in discrimination.
6. Signature of individual making the complaint.
7. If an individual wishing to make a complaint is unable to write the complaint, MCT staff will assist. Please contact (618) 797-4600 for details.

Federal law requires that complaints be filed within one-hundred eighty (180) calendar days of the alleged incident.

Limited English Proficiency
If you or someone you know has a question or needs bus information in a language other than English, please send your name, address and the type of bus information you are seeking by e-mail to info@mct.org or by mail to:

Madison County Transit c/o LEP
1 Transit Way
Pontoon Beach, IL 62040

You may also call 618-797-4600. We will respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your interest in MCT.

“I Speak Cards”
“I Speak” Cards are available on MCT buses, at the MCT main office or at MCT Transfer Stations. You can also print the information below and give it to any MCT driver who will pass it along to the appropriate staff for follow up.

I speak ______ and need information on bus services. (Mark the box and give this card to the bus driver)

Spanish:
Hablo español y necesito la información sobre servicios del autobús. (Marque la caja y dé esta tarjeta al conductor del autobús)

German:
Ich spreche Deutsches und benötige Informationen über Busdienstleistungen. (Kennzeichnen Sie den Kasten und geben Sie diese Karte zum Bustreiber)

Arabic:
أنا أتكلّم العربية ويحتاج معلومة على حافلة خدمات. (علمت الصندوق وأعطيت هذا بطاقة إلى ال [بوس دريفر])

Chinese:
我讲中文并且需要信息关于总线服务。 (标记箱子并且给这张卡片公共汽车司机)

Serbian (Bosnian):
Govorim srpski i potrebne informacije o uslugama. (Mark je sadržaj i da ova kartica na vozača autobusa)

Russian:
Мне говорю русского и нужна информация на обслуживаниях шины. (Марк коробка и дает эту карточку к водителю автобуса)

Korean:
나는 한국어를 말하고 버스 서비스에 정보를 필요로 한다. (상자를 표를 하고 버스 운전사에 이 카드를 주십시오)

Greek:
Μιλώ τα ελληνικά και τις πληροφορίες ανάγκης για τις υπηρεσίες λεωφορείων. (Χαρακτηρίστε το κιβώτιο και δώστε αυτήν την κάρτα στον οδηγό λεωφορείων)

Polish:
MOGĘ mówić po polsku i potrzebujesz informacji na temat komunikacji autobusowej. (Zaznaczyć pole i podać ją do sterownika magistrali)

Hindi (Indian):
मॅँ हिन्दी बोलने की आवश्यकता और बस सेवा को जानकारी है। इस कार्ड देने के लिए चिह्नित करें चेक बॉक्स साफ करें और (बस का डधफइवर)

Portuguese:
Eu falo o português e necessito a informação em serviços da barra-ônibus. (Marque a caixa e dê este cartão ao excitador de barra-ônibus)

Armenian:
Ես խոսում եմ հայերեն, եւ անհրաժեշտ տեղեկություններ ավտոբուսի ծառայությունների (Նշեք այն քառակուսին, եւ տալ այս քարտը ավտոբուսի վարորդ)

Vietnamese:
Tôi nói tiếng Việt và cần thông tin về dịch vụ xe buýt. (Đánh dấu vào ô và cung cấp cho thẻ này để tài xế xe buýt)

Filipino (Tagalog):
Ginagamit ko Filipino at kailangan na impormasyon tungkol sa mga serbisyo ng bus. (Lagyan ng tsek ang kahon at bigyan ang card na ito sa driver ng bus)

Aviso de los Derechos del Título VI
Madison County Transit (MCT) opera programas sin distinción de raza, color, 0 origen nacional. ¿Cuáles son los procedimientos para realizar una consulta o queja título VI?Todas las consultas y quejas de título VI pueden ser enviadas por fax al (618) 797-7547, por correo electrónico a info@mct.org o por correo a: Madison County Transit District, Attn: Managing Director, One Transit Way, PO Box 7500, Granite City, IL 62040-7200

La queja debe incluir la siguiente información:

1. Nombre, dirección y número de teléfono dela persona que presenta la queja.
2. Bases de la demanda, es decir, raza, color, origen nacional, o dominio del inglés.
3. La fecha o fechas en que la violación del título VI (s) ocurrió.
4. Nombres, direcciones y números de teléfono de las personas que participan.
5. Descripción del incidente que resulta en la violación percibida.
6. Firma de la toma individual de la queja.
7. Si una persona que desee presentar una queja no puede escribir la queja, el personal MCT asistirá. Póngase en contacto con (618) 797-4600 para obtener más información.

La ley federal requiere que las quejas se presentarán dentro de los ciento ochenta (180) días naturales del supuesto incidente.

Madison County Transit adheres to the rules and regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and operates programs without regard to race, color, or national origin. 

Reasonable accommodations can be made upon request. 

Transit Vehicles 
All MCT fixed-route vehicles are wheelchair accessible. Each vehicle provides space for up to two mobility devices. 

Priority Seating 
Priority seating for elderly persons and passengers with disabilities is clearly marked and visible even when someone is sitting in the chair. Each vehicle has at least two forward facing priority seats for ADA riders. 

Stop Announcements 
The name and destination of the bus is announced at transit centers and transfer points. Upcoming timpoints, transfer points, major intersections and stops requested by passengers are also announced. 

Transit Materials 
MCT information is available in alternative formats such as large print or Braille by request. If you or someone you know would like a copy of transit information in one of these formats, please call (618) 797-4600. 

ADA Complaint Policy and Procedures 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity and access for persons with disabilities. Madison County Transit (MCT) is committed to providing safe, accessible and efficient transportation services, in full compliance with 49 CFR Parts 27, 37, 38, and 39 of the ADA. The following policy outlines the process for submitting, investigating, responding to, and maintaining ADA complaints. 

Objectives: 
The objectives of the complaint procedures are to: 

• Provide an opportunity for customers to report any policies, procedures, or actions by MCT which they believe violate the ADA regulations. 
• Document and investigate the allegations in a timely and thorough manner.
• Respond to customers and provide the outcome of the investigation in a timely manner. 

Making an ADA Complaint: 
ADA Complaints must be received by MCT within 180 calendar days of the alleged incident. Beyond that period, complaints will be classified as comments.

Each ADA complaint must include the following information: 

• Name, address and contact information of individual making the complaint. 
• Date and approximate time of the alleged incident or violation.
• Location of the alleged incident or violation.
• Basis of the complaint. Description of the incident or violation.
• Any additional information that is pertinent to the investigation (ex: bus number, bus route, employee involved in the complaint, direction of vehicle, details about the weather conditions at the time the incident occurred.) 

Riders may file an ADA complaint in the following ways:

• Form: To submit an ADA Complaint, print and complete  this form. Submit by faxing to: (618) 797-7547, email to ADA@mct.org,  or mail to: Madison County Transit 
  Attn: Managing Director 
  1 Transit Way 
  Pontoon Beach, IL 62040 
• Phone: Complaints can be called in to 618-931-7433. A message may be left on this line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To speak with someone directly, calls are answered Monday-Friday 3:30 a.m. -2:00 a.m., Saturday 4:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. and Sunday 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. 

ADA Complaint Review Process: 
The following process will be followed for reviewing ADA complaints: 

1. ADA complaints will be entered into the MCT Customer Service Database upon receipt. 
2. ADA complaints will be forwarded to the ADA Coordinator for investigation, review and follow up. 
3. ADA Coordinator will acknowledge receipt of the complaint. 
4. ADA Coordinator will notify the appropriate MCT manager/director, if applicable. 
5. ADA Coordinator will conduct a thorough investigation. 
6. Once the investigation is complete, the ADA Coordinator will make a decision regarding the validity of the complaint, along with what, if any, actions will be taken. 
7. ADA Coordinator will record the outcome of the investigation in the MCT Customer Service Database and notify the complainant. 
8. ADA Coordinator will keep a summary log of all ADA complaints for a minimum of five years. 
9. If complainants disagree with the outcome, they can appeal the decision in writing within thirty (30) days from the date of the determination letter. The appeal letter should state the reason(s) the complainant believes the decision was in error. The appeal letter should be mailed to: 

• Madison County Transit 
  c/o Managing Director 
  1 Transit Way 
  Pontoon Beach, IL 62040 

Protection from Retribution: 
Individuals who submit an ADA complaint can do so without fear of retribution from the agency. MCT will take appropriate action with any employee that retaliates against a passenger for submitting a complaint. 

Alternative Formats: 
MCT’s ADA Complaint Policy and Procedures are available in alternative formats by request.

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Policy Statement 
The Madison County Mass Transit District (MCT) has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with 49 CFR §26. It is MCT policy to ensure that DBEs, as defined in 49 CFR §26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in Department of Transportation (DOT)–assisted contracts. This policy encompasses the following actions: 

• To ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT assisted contracts by MCT;
• To create a level playing field on which DBEs can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts issued by MCT
• To ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law;
• To ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR §26 eligibility standards and certified by the Illinois Uniform Certification Program (ILUCP) are permitted to participate as DBEs; 
• To help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts issued by MCT; 
• To assist in the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside the DBE Program. 

Miriam Bell, Grants Coordinator, is the delegated DBE Liaison Officer (DBELO). In this capacity, Ms. Bell, at the direction of the Managing Director, is responsible for implementing all aspects of the DBE program. In the event the delegated DBELO is unable to fulfill her obligations as DBELO (i.e., due to an extended leave of absence, change in employment status, etc.), the Managing Director is authorized to designate an interim and/or replacement DBELO. Implementation of the DBE Program is accorded the same priority as compliance with all other legal obligations incurred by MCT in its financial assistance agreements with DOT.

This policy statement is distributed to all MCT trustees, directors, managers, supervisors and procurement personnel, and is conspicuously posted in the workplace for the information of other employees and visitors. MCT also distributes this policy statement to DBE and non-DBE business organizations known to be available to perform work on DOT-assisted contracts, primarily via legal advertisements in publications of community and business organizations representing minority and/or women-owned disadvantaged businesses and through dissemination to Small Business Development Centers. 

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goal for FFY 2025-2027
Madison County Mass Transit District (MCT), in accordance with requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration as set forth in 49 CFR Part 26, hereby announces that it has established its overall Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for contracting opportunities funded in whole or in part by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration during Federal Fiscal Years 2025-2027. MCT has established an overall DBE goal of 3.32% for FFY 2025-2027. MCT anticipates achieving its overall DBE goal with 0.25% race/gender neutral participation and 3.07% race/gender conscious participation. The overall DBE goal is exclusive of FTA funds to be used for the purchase of transit vehicles.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy 
It is the policy of the Agency to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, such as hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 5 ILCS 140/1 provides the public the right to access government documents and records. The law provides that a person can ask a public body for a copy of, or inspection of its records on a specific subject and the public body must provide those records, unless there is an exemption in the statute that protects those records from disclosure (for example: records containing information concerning trade secrets or personal privacy).

How to Submit a FOIA Request

All requests for information must be submitted in writing to the attention of the FOIA Officer. Please include the following in your request:

• Clearly describe the records being sought.
• Indicate whether the request is for inspection of records, copies of records, or both.
• Contact information. Please include a daytime telephone number so that we may contact you with any questions concerning your request.
• If the request if for a commercial purpose it should be stated.

Requests may be submitted to the FOIA Officer via hand delivery, US Mail, fax or email. Hand delivered requests must be delivered during our regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. All requests for information shall be directed to the FOIA Officer at:

Fees

Except when a fee is otherwise fixed by statute, MCT will charge the following rates for copies of requested records:

Response Time
A response will be provided within 5 business days after the request is received, or within 21 business days if the request is for a commercial purpose, unless the time for response is extended as permitted by law