Title VI & DBE

CARTA operates its transit services without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national oration, marital status, age or disability in accordance with the Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its amendments.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states: “No person in the Unities States 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.”

CARTA is committed to complying with the requirements of Title VI in all of its federally funded programs and activities.

Any person who believes that he or she or any specific class of persons has been subjected to discrimination that is prohibited by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, its amendments and related statutes, by CARTA in its role of planning and programming of federal funds, may submit a written complaint. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with CARTA within 180 days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence.

Title VI Discrimination Complaint Forms may be obtained by clicking here and may be submitted via mail, fax, or email as described below.

CARTA Complaint Form

CARTA has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Small Business Participation Program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. The purpose of the goal setting process for CARTA’s DBE Program is to determine the overall program goal for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding it receives for Federal Fiscal Years 2023-2025.

It is the policy of CARTA to ensure that DBE’s, as defined in 49 CFR Part 26, have an equal opportunity to receive and participate in DOT-assisted contracts.

It is also our policy to:

1. Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts
2. To create a level playing field on which DBE’s can compete fairly for DOT-assisted contracts
3. Ensure that the DBE Program is narrowly tailored in accordance with applicable law
4. Ensure that only firms that fully meet 49 CFR Part 26 eligibility standards are permitted to participate as DBE’s
5. Help remove barriers to the participation of DBE’s in DOT assisted contracts
6. Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the market place outside the DBE Program
7. Facilitate competition in DOT-assisted public works projects by small business concerns, both DBEs and non-DBE small businesses.

Following the prescribed goal setting process, CARTA has established a DBE Usage Goal for FTA-funded projects as 5 percent for fiscal years 2023-2025.

Mailing Address:
Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority
5790 Casper Padgett Way
Charleston, SC 29406
Fax: (843) 529-0305
Email: jburns@bcdcog.com