Title VI Complaints/ADA The Americans with Disabilities Act

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 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits discrimination and ensures equal opportunity for persons with disabilities in employment, State and local government services, public accommodations, commercial facilities, and transportation. 

The Federal Transit Administration requires North Country Express to use non-discriminatory practices in bus service. 

If you believe you or others:

• have been discriminated against due to race, color, national origin, or a disability
• have been excluded from participation in or denied the benefits because of that discrimination
• have been subject to discrimination under any North Country Express service, program, or activity

 You have the right to register a Title VI or ADA complaint by writing to or calling:

 Raymond D Blethen IV.   Regional Operations Director

First Transit

1020 Center Street, Suite 16, Horseheads, NY 14845

E-mail: Raymond.blethen@firstgroup.com           

 North Country Express/First Transit, through its Title VI Coordinator, will respond in writing to the person filing a Title VI complaint within ten business days.  If First Transit’s investigation determines that the complaint is determined to involve discrimination covered by title VI, within twenty working days a report on the complaint will be completed and mailed to the complainant.  The report will document the violation, the actions that will be taken to comply with the provisions of Title VI.
Also, you have the right to file your Title VI complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration within 180 days of the alleged event.  Contact Federal Transit Administration, Office of Civil Rights, Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Request for Reasonable Modifications: North Country Express/First Transit will make reasonable modifications to its policies, practices or procedures when requested to do so by individuals with disabilities when such accommodations are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability.  Requests for accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis and may be denied if: 

Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the authority's service, programs, or activities;

Granting the request could create a direct threat to the health or safety of others;

Without such modification, the individual with a disability is otherwise able to fully use the authority's services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose.  

 Go to NCE Title VI and ADA form to download complaint form