Civil Rights| Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit

Civil Rights

SMART is committed to promoting equity, accessibility, and equal opportunity in all aspects of its operations, programs, and services. Through its Civil Rights programs, SMART ensures compliance with applicable federal and state civil rights laws and regulations while fostering an inclusive environment for passengers, employees, businesses, and the communities we serve.

SMART's Civil Rights programs include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program.

ADA and Accessibility

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) is committed to providing accessible transportation services and ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, SMART prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in its programs, services, activities, and employment practices.

For additional information, please review SMART's ADA Notice, ADA Complaint Procedures, and ADA Complaint Form using the links below.

 

Accessibility on SMART Stations and Trains

SMART is committed to providing safe, accessible, and convenient transportation for all passengers. SMART stations and trains are designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities and include accessible boarding, designated priority seating, onboard restrooms, and other accessibility features to support an inclusive travel experience.

For additional information about accessibility features, discounted fares, and assistance available to passengers with disabilities, please see the Riding with a Disability section below.

 

Riding with a Disability

SMART is committed to providing safe, accessible, and convenient transportation for all passengers, including individuals with disabilities. SMART trains and stations include accessibility features designed to support passengers with a variety of mobility, vision, hearing, and other accessibility needs.

 

Discounted Fares

Passengers with qualifying disabilities may be eligible for reduced fares on SMART. Eligible passengers may use accepted proof of eligibility, such as a Regional Transit Connection (RTC) Discount Card, Medicare card, or California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Disabled Person Placard Identification Card.

For information about obtaining an RTC Discount Card, visit the 511 RTC Discount Card webpage or contact Clipper Customer Service at 1-877-878-8883.

For questions about SMART fares, contact SMART Customer Service at (707) 794-3330 (TTY: 711).

 

Boarding the Train

All SMART trains provide level boarding for passengers. Passengers who need assistance boarding or locating an accessible seat may request assistance from a train conductor.

 

Accessibility for Passengers Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

SMART provides accessibility features to assist passengers who are blind or have low vision, including:

  • Audible announcements onboard trains.
  • Audible signals from Clipper card readers to assist with fare validation.
  • Detectable warning surfaces along station platform edges.

Passengers should remain behind the platform warning surfaces while waiting for the train and use caution near tracks.

 

Accessibility for Passengers Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

SMART provides visual information to assist passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing, including:

  • Visual passenger information displays at station platforms.
  • Onboard visual displays identifying upcoming stations.
  • Visual announcements and service information onboard trains.

 

Priority Seating

SMART trains provide designated priority seating for seniors and passengers with disabilities. These seats are identified with signage.

Passengers who need assistance locating priority seating may ask a train conductor for assistance.

 

Accessible Restrooms

Each SMART train has an onboard restroom. The restroom is located in the second train car from the south end and is identified by restroom signage.

 

Accessibility Assistance

Passengers who have questions about accessibility features or need assistance planning their trip may contact SMART Customer Service.

SMART Customer Service
Phone: (707) 794-3330
TTY: 711
Email: customerservice@sonomamarintrain.org

 

Website Accessibility

SMART is committed to ensuring digital accessibility for all users, including individuals with disabilities, and providing equal access to information, programs, and services available through its website.

SMART is actively evaluating, improving, and remediating its website, web applications, and digital content to conform to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 Level AA standards, as required under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

SMART recognizes that some website content and documents may not yet be fully accessible. If you experience difficulty accessing information on our website, encounter an accessibility barrier, or require information in an alternative accessible format, please contact SMART Customer Service at (707) 794-3330 or customerservice@sonomamarintrain.org .

SMART will work to address accessibility concerns and provide requested information in an accessible format. Concerns requiring additional review will be referred to SMART's ADA Coordinator.

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) is committed to ensuring no person is excluded from participation in or denied benefits of its programs and services on the basis of race, color, and national origin as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Any person who believes that they have been aggrieved by any unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI may file a complaint with SMART. SMART’s Title VI Program can be found here .

How do I file a Title VI Complaint?

SMART's complaint procedures are located below:

For more information on SMART’s Title VI program, and the procedures to file a complaint, contact 707‐794‐3330 or TTY711; email: TitleVI@sonomamarintrain.org ; or visit SMART’s administrative office at 5401 Old Redwood Hwy., Suite 200, Petaluma, CA 94954.

A complainant may file a complaint directly with the Federal Transit Administration by filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, Attention: Title VI Program Coordinator, East Building, 5th Floor-TCR,1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590

If information is needed in another language, contact 707‐794‐3330.

Si necesita información en otro idioma, comuníquese al 707-794-3330.

如果需要其他语言的信息，请联系 707-794-3330。

Nếu cần thông tin bằng ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng liên hệ số 707‐794‐3330.

Kung kailangan ng impormasyon sa ibang wika, mangyaring tumawag sa 707-794-3330.

 

Civil Rights/Title VI Complaint Form

Equal Employment Opportunity

SMART is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and applicable job requirements.

SMART prohibits unlawful employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal or state law.

SMART's Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, transfers, and termination.

 

Reasonable Accommodations

SMART is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for religious beliefs, practices, or observances, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Employees and applicants seeking reasonable accommodations should contact SMART's Human Resources Department.

 

Reporting Discrimination, Harassment, or Retaliation

SMART is committed to maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Employees and applicants for employment who believe they have experienced discrimination, harassment, or retaliation may report their concerns to SMART's EEO Officer.

Retaliation against individuals who report concerns, participate in an investigation, or otherwise engage in protected activity is prohibited.

 

EEO Program Contact

Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights Manager

Email: civilrights@sonomamarintrain.org

For additional information about SMART's EEO Policy or complaint procedures, please contact the EEO Officer.

 

EEO Resources