Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) pledges that you will have access to all our programs, services and benefits without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or socioeconomic status.

MVTA will not tolerate discrimination by its employees or by those who receive federal funds from MVTA. Minnesota Valley Transit Authority prohibits all discriminatory practices that may result in an individual:

• Being denied any service, financial aid or benefit provided under a program to which he or she may be otherwise entitled;
• Being held to different standards or requirements for participation;
• Experiencing segregation or separate treatment in any part of a program;
• Being subject to distinctions in quality, quantity or manner in which a benefit is provided;
• Experiencing discrimination in any activities conducted in a MVTA facility built in whole or part with Federal funds.

Further, MVTA will:

• Avoid or reduce harmful human health and environmental effects on minority and low income populations;
• Ensure full and fair participation by all communities, including low income and minority populations in the transportation decision-making process;
• Prevent the denial of reduction in or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations.

These rights are guaranteed to you under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which says in part:

No person in the United State 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.

• MVTA’s ADA Policy is below.
• MVTA’s ADA Grievance Procedure is below.
• MVTA’s ADA Grievance Form is below. 
• MVTA’s Title VI Plan is below.
• MVTA’s Title VI Reporting Form is below.
• MVTA’s Language Assistance Plan is below.

Language Translation

Bus information is available in multiple languages at mvta.com on both desktop and mobile devices. Please refer to the menu options located in the top right corner of these devices to select language when using mvta.com.

La información del autobús está disponible en varios idiomas desde mvta.com tanto en el escritorio (esquina superior derecha de la página web) como en las plataformas móviles (en el menú desplegable).

Macluumaadka baska waxaa laga heli karaa luuqado kala duwan mvta.com labadaba desktop (geeska sare ee shabakadda) iyo moobiilka gacanta (hoos u dhigga menu).

Thông tin xe buýt có sẵn bằng nhiều ngôn ngữ tại mvta.com trên cả máy tính để bàn và thiết bị di động. Vui lòng tham khảo các tùy chọn menu nằm ở góc trên cùng bên phải của các thiết bị này để chọn ngôn ngữ khi sử dụng mvta.com.

ADA Policy

ABOUT THE POLICY
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Policy on Accessibility and Compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 and related State of Minnesota Statutes as Amended, December 10, 2014.

It is the policy of the MVTA to implement the legal requirements of the Federal and State governments in a
manner so as to meet the following goals:

1. To encourage individual and dignified use of the transit system with minimal assistance from transit
system employees, contractors, and other users.
2. To expedite the safe and efficient boarding, transporting, and alighting of all passengers, regardless of
mobility status.
3. To adapt to a wide range of mobility aids within the physical limitations of current vehicles and
available commercial standard equipment.
4. To minimize any potential damage to mobility aids from the onboard securement system.

To accomplish this policy, the following specific actions have been adopted the 28th day of June, 2006, revised
the 24th day of January, 2007, revised the 31st day of October, 2012, revised the 10th day of December 2014
and revised on the 29th day of April 2020.

APPLICATION OF POLICY
This policy applies to MVTA services, facilities, and vehicles. This includes all contracted services operated by
other private and public operators. This policy is not intended to suggest or require compliance by other
operating entities, including Metro Transit, other Metropolitan Council general public service providers, or
Metro Mobility and its contracted agencies and operators.

FACILITY AND VEHICLE DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
All MVTA facilities and vehicles shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements for accessibility, including
but not limited to 49 CFR Parts 27, 37, and 38, MN Stat. Ch. 299A, and MN Rules Ch. 7450. MVTA shall exceed
the minimum requirements in the following way(s): All transit vehicles shall be equipped with two forward
facing securement positions, including those vehicles 22 feet long and under. Transit vehicles may be
equipped with one or more combination positions which shall provide a compliant forward-facing position
and a rear-facing position which need not include a compliant occupant-restraint system when used in the
rear-facing manner. All vehicles shall be equipped with a kneeling feature if that feature is offered by the
manufacturer.

VEHICLES DESIGN RECORDS
Records will be maintained describing the lift and securement equipment on each MVTA transit vehicle. This
information will include the design capacity of the devices to allow determination of what vehicles may be
able accommodate passengers in various types of non-conforming mobility aids.

VEHICLE ASSIGNMENT
The assignment of particular vehicle types will be made on the basis of total ridership demand. Recognizing that certain vehicle types may be available to only one MVTA contractor, buses cannot and will not be assigned on the basis of their accessibility features. Given the sensitivity of certain passengers using mobility aids to particular vehicle designs, however, staff will work with those passengers to alert them to changes in the vehicle assignments as they affect accessibility features when quarterly and special service changes are made.

MOBILITY AID
Mobility aids belong to any class of two-, three- or more-wheeled devices, usable indoors, designed or
modified for and used by individuals with mobility impairments, whether operated manually or powered.

BOARDING
Passengers who use mobility aids requiring the deployment of the lift or ramp will board prior to other passengers, unless the passenger requests otherwise. Operators are required to kneel the bus if requested and so equipped, or to deploy the lift or ramp if requested, even if the passenger is not using a mobility aid. Operators are required to directly assist passengers upon request by briefly pushing the mobility aid (including up a steeply sloped vehicle ramp), and by properly operating the vehicle lift/ramp and securement systems. At locations where there is no curb or sidewalk, operators may require passengers to move their mobility aid a short distance to allow for proper and safe deployment of the lift or ramp.

A personal care attendant is permitted to accompany the passenger on the vehicle lift/ramp if requested, provided the combined weight of the passenger, mobility aid, and attendant does not exceed 600 pounds. The attendant is not permitted to operate the lift or ramp.

FARES
Fares for users with limited mobility are set by the Metropolitan Council. Riders must display a qualifying identification card, as determined by the Council, upon request of the operator. Operators must assist with fare payment upon request. It is the responsibility of passengers requiring fare payment assistance to have their fare ready and in a convenient location. A personal care attendant accompanying a qualified passenger rides for free.

PRIORITY SEATING/SECUREMENT AREA
A priority seating area shall be designated at the front of each vehicle for passengers with limited mobility not
using a secured mobility device. Operators are required to ask passengers occupying these seats to vacate them upon request of boarding passengers. Operators are not required to enforce the priority seating designation beyond making such a request.

An area shall be designated close to the lift or ramp entrance for the securement of mobility aids. If this area is occupied by ambulatory passengers and a passenger in a mobility aid boards the vehicle, operators will request those passengers to relocate, and passengers are required to relocate upon the operators request, unless the bus is already so full that those ambulatory passengers would be unable to safely stand.

SECUREMENT AND RESTRAINT
It is MVTA policy that mobility aids be secured by the operator while onboard MVTA vehicles. The standard
for securement is that operators must make their best effort to secure the chair, not securement to the satisfaction of the operator. Operators will receive training in the proper securement of mobility aids both in the hiring process and in regular in-service retraining. A personal care attendant may assist in the securement procedure but the operator must always examine the securements before proceeding.

A conforming lap and shoulder belt shall be provided in the forward-facing securement areas. It shall be recommended to all passengers riding in a secured mobility aid that they be restrained using the lap and shoulder belt, however, it will not be required.

Mobility aids placed in an approved rear-facing position shall be secured by the design of the position which may be entirely passive or include a securement strap to restrict lateral movement. In the latter case, deployment of the securement strap either by the operator, the passenger, or an attendant is required, and operator inspection of the strap deployment is required if it is deployed by the passenger or an attendant. A conforming lap and shoulder belt need not be provided for the rear-facing use of a combination position and even if such a lap and shoulder belt is provided, it is not required to be used except on request of the passenger. Passengers requesting use of the lap and shoulder belt must be carried in a forward-facing position if a conforming lap and shoulder belt is not available for a rear-facing position.

TRANSFER TO FIXED SEATING
Operators shall recommend that users of scooter type conforming mobility aids transfer to fixed seating and allow only the mobility aid to be secured to the bus; furthermore, operators may recommend that users of other particular mobility aids transfer if they believe it to be in the passenger’s safety interest due to the design of the mobility aid. Under no circumstance may operators require a transfer, even if the mobility aid is not able to be secured to the operator’s satisfaction. Operators are required to use their best effort to secure all mobility aids whether occupied or not.

WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT TRAINING PROGRAM
Staff shall implement a program for users of mobility aids to improve operators’ ability to correctly secure mobility aids. This program may include but not be limited to marking of preferred attachment points for securement devices, attachment of tether straps where appropriate attachment points are not available, and passenger training on identifying preferred securement methods to operators on vehicles with different securement systems.

SERVICE ANIMALS
Persons with a disability requiring the use of a service animal shall be permitted to board with such animal. Operators are permitted to request that persons traveling with a service animal identify that the animal is performing a service function either by verbal or visual means, including but not limited to identifying equipment or markings attached to the animal.

ANNOUNCING OF STOPS
Operators are required to announce inside the bus all upcoming time points, transfer points that are not time
points, and stops at signalized intersections, as well as any other stops requested by riders. Operators are required to announce both the stop location and any transfer routes. MVTA staff will develop a program to identify to operators those stops that must always be announced.

Operators are required to announce to persons outside the bus at stops the route number, plus the direction and destination where necessary to clearly identify the trip to waiting passengers.

Operators are required to use provided public address systems to make these announcements, except on 25 foot and smaller buses where announcements may be made without the use of the public address system provided the announcements can be clearly heard throughout the bus.

ALIGHTING
Passengers who use mobility aid devices will ordinarily alight after other passengers at the same stop. Operators are required to kneel the bus if requested and so equipped, or to deploy the lift or ramp if requested, even if the passenger is not using a mobility aid. Operators are required to assist passengers upon request. At locations where there is no curb or sidewalk, operators may suggest an alternate stop to allow for easier deployment of the lift or ramp; however, operators are required to allow passengers to alight at their requested stop unless doing so is likely to damage the lift/ramp or prevent it from operating properly.

USE OF ACCESSIBILITY DEVICES BY RIDERS NOT USING A MOBILITY AID
Operators shall operate the vehicle lift/ramp and/or kneeling feature upon request for all passengers. This includes use of the lift/ramp for strollers. The mobility aid securement system may only be used to secure a mobility aid. The lap-and-shoulder belt may only be used to restrain a passenger riding in a secured mobility aid.

REPLACEMENT VEHICLES
If there is a failure of the lift/ramp or securement devices, a replacement vehicle must be dispatched if the next trip to the destination of any passenger using a mobility device is scheduled in more than 30 minutes. If the next trip to the destination of any passenger using a mobility device is scheduled in 30 minutes or less, a replacement vehicle may be dispatched if available.

ADA grievances should be submitted to:

ADA Grievance Form

Luther Wynder
Chief Executive Officer / ADA Coordinator
Minnesota Valley Transit Authority
100 E. Highway 13
Burnsville, MN 55337

Phone: 952-882-7500
Email: mvta@mvta.com

Any person who believes they have been excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination on the basis of disability in the provision of services, programs, or activities by the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) may file an ADA grievance. A grievance may also be filed by a representative on behalf of such a person.

All ADA grievances will be referred to MVTA’s ADA Coordinator or their designee for review and investigation.

To be considered under this procedure, a grievance should be filed no later than 180 days after:

• The date of the alleged discriminatory act;
• The date the individual became aware of the alleged discrimination; or
• The date of the most recent occurrence if there has been a continuing course of conduct.

MVTA may extend the filing deadline when appropriate in the interest of justice.

ADA grievances should be submitted in writing and signed by the complainant or their representative. The grievance should describe, as completely as possible, the facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged discrimination or denial of reasonable accommodation.

If an individual is unable to submit a written grievance due to a disability or requires another reasonable accommodation to file a grievance, MVTA will provide appropriate assistance. Individuals may contact MVTA’s ADA Coordinator or designee for assistance in preparing and submitting a grievance.

Within 10 business days of receiving the grievance, the ADA Coordinator or designee will acknowledge receipt of the grievance in writing, inform the complainant of the action taken or proposed to process the grievance, and advise the complainant of other avenues of redress available, including the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). If additional information is needed to investigate the grievance, MVTA may request that information from the complainant. Failure to provide the requested information may result in administrative closure of the grievance if MVTA is unable to proceed with the investigation.

The grievance should include the following information:

• Name, address, telephone number, and email address of the complainant.
• Name(s) and title(s), if known, of the individual(s) or department(s) involved.
• A description of the alleged discrimination or denial of reasonable accommodation.
• Date(s) and location(s) of the alleged incident(s).
• A description of the requested accommodation, if applicable.
• Any supporting documentation or evidence.
• Whether the grievance has been filed with another agency or court.

The investigation will be conducted in a prompt, fair, and impartial manner by the ADA Coordinator or designee. Every effort will be made to complete the investigation within 60 calendar days of receipt of the grievance. If additional time is necessary, the complainant will be notified of the reason for the delay and the anticipated completion date.

Whenever possible, grievances will be resolved through informal means. Any informal resolution efforts and their outcome will be documented as part of the investigation.

If an informal resolution is not appropriate or is unsuccessful, the complainant has the right to present additional information, witnesses, or documentation in support of the grievance and may be represented by an attorney or other representative of their choosing.

Following completion of the investigation, the ADA Coordinator or designee will prepare a written Report of Findings summarizing the investigation, findings, and any corrective actions taken or recommended. The grievance will be determined to be substantiated, not substantiated, or inconclusive.

Within 90 calendar days of receipt of the grievance, MVTA will provide the complainant with a written final determination describing the findings and any corrective actions, if applicable.

If the complainant is dissatisfied with MVTA’s final determination, they may submit a written appeal within seven (7) calendar days of receiving the final decision. Appeals will be reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer or another individual not directly involved in the original investigation. A written response to the appeal will be provided upon completion of the review.

Filing an ADA grievance with MVTA does not prevent an individual from filing a complaint with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) or the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

ADA grievances may also be filed with:

Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Complaint Team
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20590

or

U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20530

MVTA will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations throughout the grievance process, including alternative formats, auxiliary aids and services, language assistance, and other accommodations as needed to ensure equal access for individuals with disabilities.

It is the responsibility of the complainant to ensure that any mailed grievance can be tracked. If a grievance is initially submitted electronically or by facsimile, a signed copy may be requested if necessary to complete the investigation.