2023 Title VI Policy Changes
We've updated our Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden (DI/DB) Policy and Public Engagement Plan (PEP). These policies are a part of our compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits the MBTA from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin, including limited English proficiency.
The feedback period has now closed. Comments received from the public have been incorporated and the updated policies were adopted by the MBTA Board on April 19, 2023. Changes made in response to public comments can be viewed in the following redline documents (translations available upon request):
Learn About These Changes
Disparate Impact and Disproportionate Burden Policy (DI/DB)
- Renamed the document “Service and Fare Change Equity Policy” to more clearly state the policy’s purpose and enhance understanding.
- Redefined “major service change” to account for network-wide effects and to clarify when service changes and disruptions do not require a service equity analysis.
- Improved service equity analysis methodology so that we may consider more riders with low-income and have more reliable results.
- Stated the circumstances that require a fare equity analysis and which fare changes are exempt.
- Described the public engagement and the Board approval process required for any major service change or fare change.
- Replaced federal term “minority populations” with more inclusive language to reflect communities served, substituting “populations protected on the basis of race or ethnicity” where applicable.
Learn more about the updated Service and Fare Change Equity Policy
Public Engagement Plan (PEP)
- Updated “Background on the MBTA” section with current information on the MBTA’s governing Board of Directors.
- Clarified guiding principles in the “Guiding Principles for Public Engagement” section, such as specifying “equity” in our engagement strategies to reach diverse members of the community.
- Added “Community Meetings” as a common type of engagement in the “Community Events and Engagement” section.
- Expanded “Virtual Public Engagement” section with details on the MBTA’s increased use of virtual public engagement strategies following the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Added clearer language for collecting and considering public comments prior to a fare increase (see section on “Public Engagement Regarding Fare Changes”) or major service reductions (see section on “Public Engagement Regarding Service Planning & Service Changes”).
Past Events
Downloads
Service and Fare Change Equity Policy (2023)
Presentation to MBTA Board of Directors (April 2023)
Proposed Documents/Policies
- English
- Chinese Simplified(简体中文)
- Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)
- Portuguese (Português)
- Spanish(Español)
- Vietnamese(Tiếng Việt)
- English
- Chinese Simplified (简体中文)
- Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)
- Portuguese (Português)
- Spanish (Español)
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
- English
- Chinese Simplified (简体中文)
- Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)
- Portuguese (Português)
- Spanish (Español)
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
- English
- Chinese Simplified (简体中文)
- Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)
- Portuguese (Português)
- Spanish (Español)
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
- English
- Chinese Simplified (简体中文)
- Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen)
- Portuguese (Português)
- Spanish (Español)
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
Former Versions and Supporting Documents
Title VI
The MBTA complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency).
File a Discrimination Complaint
Service and Fare Change Equity Policy
Title VI
The MBTA complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (including limited English proficiency).