<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><h1 class="title" style="-webkit-hyphens: manual; "><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">TARC seeks public comment on</span></font></h1><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">draft service and fare change policies </span></p><h5><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">April 22, 2013</span></font></h5><p align="center" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">TARC is seeking public comment through Friday, May 17 on draft interim policies that address impacts of service and fare changes on minority and low income populations.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">The policies will be part of an updated Title VI Plan being developed by TARC under Federal Transit Administration guidelines. Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination based on race, color or national origin in programs or activities which receive federal funds. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>The updated TARC Title VI plan also will be available for public comment later this year before it is considered for approval by the TARC Board of Directors. TARC is taking an interim step now of considering specific policies that will be part of the updated plan in advance of service changes scheduled to take effect on June 9. Those service changes are in compliance with TARC’s current Title VI plan and the draft policies proposed for the updated plan.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">“TARC is committed to meet both the spirit and letter of the federal law and Federal Transit Administration regulations” said TARC Executive Director J. Barry Barker. “Our goal is to avoid, eliminate or minimize any adverse impacts of major service and fare changes.”</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The draft policies define major service changes as those that change the hours or miles of service by 25 percent on a route. When a major service or fare change is proposed, TARC conducts an analysis to determine if there are disproportionate negative impacts on low income or minority populations compared the total service area population, under the policies. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The policies propose that if the analysis shows a statistical difference of 10 percent between negative impacts on minority or low income populations compared to the total service area population, alternative measures such as revising proposals or offering other transportation options must be considered. The latest U.S. Census data will be used in analyses.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The proposed policies can be<a title="found here" href="file:///uploadedFiles/News/April_2013/Draft%20TARC%20Policies%204-23-13.doc" style="text-decoration: none; ">found here</a>.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><h2><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ways to comment<br><br><b>Comment period ends May 17</b> </span></font></h2><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Email:</b> <a title="blocked::mailto:info@ridetarc.org" href="mailto:info@ridetarc.org" style="text-decoration: none; ">info@ridetarc.org</a> <br><br><b>Phone:</b> <a href="tel:502/561-5112" style="text-decoration: none; ">502/561-5112</a>; TTY:<a href="tel:502/213-3240" style="text-decoration: none; ">502/213-3240</a><br><br><b>Twitter:</b><a title="blocked::http://www.twitter.com/ridetarc" href="http://www.twitter.com/ridetarc" style="text-decoration: none; ">www.twitter.com/ridetarc</a> <br><br><b>Facebook</b>:<a title="blocked::http://www.facebook.com/ridetarc
http://www.facebook.com/ridetarc" href="http://www.facebook.com/ridetarc" style="text-decoration: none; ">http://www.facebook.com/ridetarc</a> <br><br> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Mail:</b> Attention Janene Grantz: TARC, Union Station, 1000 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203 <br><br> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">* Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations, including the provision of information in an alternative format, will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. Language translators will also be provided upon request. Please call <a href="tel:561-5112" style="text-decoration: none; ">561-5112</a> or<a href="tel:561-5115" style="text-decoration: none; ">561-5115</a> with specific information on your needs. </span></p></body></html>