A No-Show or Late Cancel occurs when:
If a rider no-shows a trip, all remaining rides scheduled for that day will be automatically canceled. It is the rider’s responsibility to contact SCTA to reschedule any additional rides. The fare for the missed ride must be paid prior to or at the time of the rider’s next trip.
Riders must cancel rides they no longer need by:
Missed trips (no-shows and/or late cancels) are considered excessive when a rider accumulates 4 violations within a 60-day period. Violations do not need to occur in consecutive months.
Upheld disputed violations will remain in the rider’s record.
A two-week suspension will apply after the 4th no-show/late cancel in a 60-day window.
Notice of Suspension
If a rider is suspended a written notice will be issued, outlining the specific detail of each violation and the start and end dates of the suspension period. Suspension will not take effect if the rider files a timely appeal as outlined in the notice.
Appeal Process
Riders may submit a letter explaining why the violations should be excused, along with any supporting documentation and must be postmarked within 14 calendar days of the notice date.
In-Person Appeal
Appeal Decision
ADA COMPLAINT AND REASONABLE MODIFICATION POLICY
Board Approved: 8/10/23
Board Approved: 4/9/26
Title II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) provides that no entity shall discriminate against an individual with a disability in connection with the provision of transportation services. Title II of the ADA prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against people with disabilities. Title III establishes accessibility requirements for places of public accommodation. The law sets forth specific public transit requirements for vehicle and facility accessibility and the provision of service, including access to fixed route bus and complementary paratransit service. Schoolcraft County Transit Authority is committed to providing safe and reliable transportation to all people without discrimination.
The attached flyer (Attachment A) will be posted in all transit agency buses, facilities, and websites.
ADA COMPLAINTS
If Schoolcraft County Transit Authority receives a complaint regarding discrimination against an individual under the ADA, we will respond within 30-days of receiving the complaint and will work to resolve the issue with the complainant as quickly as possible. This may involve legal assistance and/or mediation. We will document the entire process, including the resolution, and notify the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Passenger Transportation (OPT). We will keep the complaint and all related documents on file for at least one year. We will keep a summary of all complaints filed for at least five years. Records will be made available to MDOT OPT upon request.
What information should my ADA complaint include?
Your written ADA complaint should provide the following information:
1. Your full name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address where we can reach you during the day and evening.
2. The name of the party discriminated against, if known.
3. The name of the person you believe committed the discrimination, if known.
4. A brief description of the alleged discrimination and the dates they occurred.
5. Other information you feel is necessary to support your complaint, including copies (not originals) of relevant documents.
6. Information about how to communicate with you effectively. Please let us know if you want written communications in a specific format (e.g., large print, Braille, electronic documents).
To guide you in providing the requested information, you may use the attached ADA complaint form. (Attachment B)
How do I file an ADA complaint by email?
Include all of the information listed above, either in the body of the email or in an attachment. Attach relevant documents to your email. Send your complaint to director@sctransit.org. You will receive a reply email confirming that your complaint has been received within 48 business hours. Please keep a copy of your complaint and the reply email for your records. If you do not receive a reply email, please contact Schoolcraft County Transit Authority at 906-341-2111.
What happens after my complaint is received?
After the complaint is received, we will inform you of our action, which may include:
1. Contacting you for additional information or copies of relevant documents.
2. Working with you to resolve the issue.
3. Referring your complaint for possible resolution through the U.S. Department of Justice ADA Mediation Program.
4. Referring your complaint to another federal agency with responsibility for the types of issues you have raised.
How can I find out the status of my complaint?
We will review each complaint carefully. If you have not heard from us within three weeks, please contact us at 906-341-2111.
REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS
Public agencies that provide designated public transportation shall make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability or to provide program accessibility to their services. This requirement applies to the means public entities use to meet their obligations under all provisions of the law.
In choosing among alternatives for meeting nondiscrimination and accessibility requirements with respect to new, altered, or existing facilities, or designated or specified transportation services, Schoolcraft County Transit Authority shall give priority to those methods that offer services, programs, and activities to qualified individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Requests for modification of Schoolcraft County Transit Authority policies and practices may be denied only on one or more of the following grounds:
Granting the request would fundamentally alter the nature of the agency’s services, programs, or activities.
1. Granting the request would create a direct threat to the health or safety of others.
2. Without the requested modification, the individual with a disability is still able to fully use the entity's services, programs, or activities for their intended purpose.
Basic process requirements that must be met are:
1. Information on the reasonable modification process must be readily available to the public and must be readily accessible
2. Advance notice can be required if feasible. Flexibility is also needed to handle requests that are only practicable on the spot.
3. Individuals requesting modifications are not required to use the term “reasonable modification”.
What information should my reasonable modification request include?
1. Your full name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address where we can reach you during the day and evening.
2. The name of the party discriminated against, if known.
3. If the request is being made by someone else on behalf of the rider, please provide the advocate’s name, relationship to the rider, and telephone number.
4. A description of the rider’s disability or disabilities.
5. The service policy or procedure that may need to be modified to allow the rider full access to the transit services provided.
6. How the current service policy or program prevents the rider from using transit service.
7. A description of the specific modification to the current service policy or procedure that you are requesting.
8. Copies (not originals) of any required documentation of disability.
To guide you in providing the requested information, you may use the attached ADA reasonable modification request form. (Attachment C)
How do I request reasonable modification by email?
Include all of the information listed above, either in the body of the email or in an attachment. Attach relevant documents to your email. Send your request to director@sctransit.org. You will receive a reply email confirming that your request has been received within 48 business hours. Please keep a copy of your request and the reply email for your records. If you do not receive a reply email, please contact Schoolcraft County Transit Authority at 906-341-2111.
What happens after my request is received?
After the request is received, Schoolcraft County Transit Authority will provide a written response of approval or denial within seven days of its receipt.
How can I find out the status of my request?
We will review each request carefully. If you have not heard from us within seven days, please contact us at 906-341-2111.
Instructions: Please fill out this form completely, sign and mail, fax, or email to:
John Stapleton, ADA Coordinator
335N East Road, Manistique, MI 49854
906-341-2111
Complainant: _________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip Code: _______________________________________________________________________
Telephone: Home: _________________________________ Mobile: ___________________________________
Person Discriminated Against (if other than the complainant): ___________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip Code: ________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: Home: ________________________________ Mobile: ____________________________________
Email Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
When did the discrimination occur? Date: ___________________________________________________________
Describe the acts of discrimination, providing the name(s) where possible of the individuals who discriminated:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature: ____________________________________________ Date: _______________________________
Instructions: Please fill out this form completely, sign and mail, fax, or email to:
John Stapleton ADA Coordinator
335N East Road, Manistique, MI 49854
906-341-2111
Rider: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address: ________________________________________________________________________________
City, State, and Zip Code: ________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: Home: __________________________________ Mobile: ____________________________________
Email address: _________________________________________________________________________________
Person requesting modification (if other than the rider): _________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________
City, State and Zip Code: ________________________________________________________________________
Telephone: Home: ___________________________________ Mobile: ___________________________________
Email Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Describe the rider’s disability or disabilities. _____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Describe the service policy or program that may need to be modified to allow the rider full access to the transit services provided. _____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
How does the current service policy or program prevent the rider from using the transit service or program? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please describe the specific modification to the current policy/procedure that you are requesting. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How would you like Schoolcraft County Transit Authority to respond to your request?
o In writing to the address listed above
§ By email to the address listed above
If future communications regarding this request are needed in an alternate format, please indicate the appropriate format below:
o Large print (font size needed: __________)
§ Spanish
This form can be requested in large print by calling 906-786-1187; TTY 1-800-649-3777; or emailing director@sctransit.org.
Please send the completed form and any required documentation of disability to:
John Stapleton ADA Coordinator
335N East Road, Manistique, MI 49854
906-341-2111
Electronic versions of the completed form and scans of required documentation of disability should be sent to director@sctransit.org.
Schoolcraft County Transit Authority will provide a written response to your request within seven days of its receipt. To check on the status of the request, call Schoolcraft County Transit Authority at 906-341-2111; TTY 1-800-649-3777, or email director@sctransit.org.
Date Adopted: 12/17/2020
Board Approved: 8/10/23
Board Approved: 4/9/26
I. PLAN STATEMENT
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance. Specifically, Title VI provides that "no person in the United States shall, on the ground 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" (42 U.S.C. Section 2000d).
Schoolcraft County Transit Authority, hereinafter referred to as AGENCY, is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its transit services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Circular 4702.1B.
This plan was developed to guide AGENCY in its administration and management of Title VI-related activities.
Title VI Coordinator Contact Information
Title VI Coordinator
335N East Road, Manistique, MI 49854
906-341-2111
II. TITLE VI DISSEMINATION
Title VI information posters (see Appendix G) shall be prominently and publicly displayed in the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority facility and on their revenue vehicles. Additional information relating to nondiscrimination obligation can be obtained from the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority Director, located at the transit facility at 335N East Road, Manistique, MI 49854, 906-341-2111.
Title VI information shall be disseminated to Schoolcraft County Transit Authority employees annually via the Employee Education form (see Appendix A). This form reminds employees of the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority’s policy statement, and of their Title VI responsibilities in their daily work and duties.
During New Employee Orientation, new employees shall be informed of the provisions of Title VI, and the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority’s expectations to perform their duties accordingly.
All employees shall be provided a copy of the Title VI Plan and are required to sign the Acknowledgement of Receipt (see Appendix B).
III. SUBCONTRACTORS AND VENDORS
All subcontractors and vendors who receive payments from the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority where funding originates from any federal assistance are subject to the provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended.
Written contracts shall contain non-discrimination language, either directly or through the bid specification package which becomes an associated component of the contract.
SCTA will ensure that all contractors are in compliance with Title VI requirements by requesting copies of their plan if available and making them aware that they must be in compliance with the act by sharing our policy.
IV. RECORD KEEPING
The Director of Schoolcraft County Transit Authority will maintain permanent records, which include, but are not limited to, signed acknowledgements of receipt from the employees indicating the receipt of the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority Title VI Plan, copies of Title VI complaints or lawsuits and related documentation, and records of correspondence to and from complainants, and Title VI investigations. SCTA has had no public transportation related Title VI investigations, complaints, or lawsuits filed since the last submission of the Title VI program. In the event and investigation, complaint, or lawsuit is filed the following information will be collected: date (day, month, year) a summary (including the basis of the complaint race, color, or national origin, the status, and action taken).
V. TITLE VI COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
How to file a Title VI Complaint?
The complainant may file a signed, written complaint up to one hundred and eighty (180) days from the date of the alleged discrimination. The complaint should include the following information:
• Your name, mailing address, and how to contact you (i.e., telephone number, email address, etc.)
• How, when, where and why you believe you were discriminated against. Include the location, names, and contact information of any witnesses.
• Other information that you deem significant
The Title VI Complaint Form (see Appendix C) may be used to submit the complaint information. The complaint may be filed in writing with the Director of Schoolcraft County Transit Authority at the following address:
Schoolcraft County Transit Authority Director
335N East Road
Manistique, MI 49854
NOTE: The Schoolcraft County Transit Authority encourages all complainants to certify all mail that is sent through the U.S. Postal Service and/or ensure that all written correspondence can be tracked easily. For complaints originally submitted by facsimile, an original, signed copy of the complaint must be mailed to the Title VI Coordinator as soon as possible, but no later than 180 days from the alleged date of discrimination.
What happens to the complaint after it is submitted?
All complaints alleging discrimination based on race, color or national origin in a service or benefit provided by Schoolcraft County Transit Authority will be directly addressed by Schoolcraft County Transit Authority. The Schoolcraft County Transit Authority shall also provide appropriate assistance to complainants, including those persons with disabilities, or who are limited in their ability to communicate in English. Additionally, Schoolcraft County Transit Authority shall make every effort to address all complaints in an expeditious and thorough manner.
A letter of acknowledging receipt of complaint will be mailed within seven calendar days (Appendix D). Please note that in responding to any requests for additional information, a complainant's failure to provide the requested information may result in the administrative closure of the complaint.
How will the complainant be notified of the outcome of the complaint?
The Schoolcraft County Transit Director will send a final written response letter (see Appendix E or F) to the complainant. In the letter notifying complainant that the complaint is not substantiated (Appendix F), the complainant is also advised of his or her right to 1) appeal within seven calendar days of receipt of the final written decision from Schoolcraft County Transit Authority, and/or 2) file a complaint externally with the U.S. Department of Transportation and/or the FTA. Every effort will be made to respond to Title VI complaints within 60 working days of receipt of such complaints, if not sooner.
In addition to the complaint process described above, a complainant may file a Title VI complaint with the following offices:
Federal Transit Administration Office of Civil Rights
Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator
East Building, 5th Floor – TCR
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE Washington, DC 20590
VI. Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan
(LEP PLAN NOT NEEDED)
The Schoolcraft County Transit Authority, as the transit provider, performed a four-factor analysis to determine the need for a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan. Based on current demographics and demand for language assistance, it has been determined that a formal plan is not necessary.
In order to arrive at this conclusion, SCTA undertook the U.S DOT four-factor LEP analysis: See Appendix H.
VII. Community Outreach
As an agency receiving federal financial assistance, we have made the following community outreach efforts:
The Schoolcraft County Transit Authority has engaged the public in its planning and decision-making processes. The public was invited to participate in these activities:
Board Meetings: The governing agency for the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority is the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority Board. It holds monthly meetings and the public is invited to attend and may address the Board in either a Public Comment forum or be placed on the Board Agenda with an advance written request. The public is encouraged to participate and comment.
Rural Task Force: Schoolcraft County Transit Authority requests funding through the Rural Task Force for capital projects each year.
Customer Complaint Process. Citizens may call the Transit Director at 906-341-2111 to lodge a complaint or comment.
We submit to the Michigan Department of Transportation annually an application for funding. The application requests for funding both capital and operating assistance. Part of the annual application is a public notice, which includes a 30-day public comment period.
Membership of non-elected committees and councils: The SCTA encourages community participation, including minority participation, on non-elected boards and councils by requesting replacement members from local units of government that appoint interested members as required. The local units of government publicize the positions in a manner that encourages any interested person to apply.
VIII. Schoolcraft County Transit Authority Title VI Equity Analysis of Facility.
SCTA will comply with the requirement in the event construction of a facility identified by the Act.
Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act requires that “No person in the United States shall, on the ground 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.” If you feel you have been discriminated against in transit services, please provide the following information in order to assist us in processing your complaint and send it to:
Schoolcraft County Transit Authority Director
335N East Road
Manistique, MI 49854
Section 1:
Information about the person completing this form:
Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip Code: _____________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: ____________(home) ____________(cell) ______________(email) ______________________
Accessible Format Requirements? Large print, TDD, Audio Tape, Other
Section 2: Are you filing this complaint on your own behalf? _____ Yes _____ No
(IF “yes” go to Section 3)
If not, please supply the name and relationship of the person for whom you are complaining: _________________________________________________________
Please explain why you have filed for a third party:___________________________
Please confirm that you have obtained the permission of the aggrieved party if you are filing on behalf of a third party. ______Yes, I have No, I have not _____
Section 3:
I believe the discrimination I experienced was based on (check all that apply):
_____ Race _____ Color _____National Origin
Date of the Alleged Discrimination (Month, Day, Year) _____________
Explain as clearly as possible what happened and why you believe you were discriminated against. Describe all persons who were involved. Include the name and contact information of the person(s) who discriminated against you (if known) as well as names and contact information of any witnesses. You may use the back of this form if more space is needed.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Section 4:
Have you previously filed a Title VI complaint with the Schoolcraft County Transit Authority? _____ Yes _____No
Section 5:
Have you filed this complaint with any other Federal, State or local agency or with any Court? _____Yes _____ No
If yes, check all that apply:
_____ Federal Agency:______________________
_____Federal Court:_________________________
_____ State Agency:_________________________
_____ State Court:___________________________
_____ Local Agency:_________________________
If yes, please provide information about a contact person at the agency or court where the complaint was filed.
Name:_____________________________________
Title:______________________________________
Agency:____________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
Telephone:__________________________________
Section 6:
Name of agency this complaint is against:_____________________________________
Contact person:__________________________________________________________
Title:__________________________________________________________________
Telephone number:____________________________
You may attach any written materials or other information that you think is relevant to your complaint.
Signature and date are required.
Signed:____________________________________________ Date:_______________
Please submit this form in person or mail this form to:
Schoolcraft County Transit Authority Director, 335N East Road, Manistique, MI 49854