Loudoun County Transit: Proposed Title VI Policy Changes (2020-2023 Program)

In conformance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Loudoun County Transit has developed three policies to analyze transit service changes and fare changes for discriminatory impacts. These policies are the Major Service Change Policy, Disparate Impact Policy, and Disproportionate Burden Policy.

Each time a service change (such as a change in a bus route or schedule) is proposed, Loudoun County Transit will determine whether the change is a Major Service Change.
If the proposed service change qualifies as a Major Service Change, Loudoun County Transit will analyze whether the change is adversely effecting minority populations in a disparate manner and low-income populations in a disproportionate manner.
Every time a fare change is proposed, Loudoun County transit will analyze whether the fare change will affect minority populations in a disparate manner and low-income populations in a disproportionate manner.

If a transit service change or a fare change would result in a disparate impact or disproportionate burden to minority or low-income populations, Loudoun County Transit is required to avoid, minimize or mitigate the impact, and can only implement the service or fare change if there is substantial legitimate justification for the change and there are no alternatives that would have less of an impact on the county's minority and low-income communities.

Proposed Title VI Policies

Loudoun County Transit is considering these proposed Title VI Policies with the 2020-2023 Program update.

Draft Major Service Change Policy

A major service change is defined as:

Adding or eliminating a bus route.
Any change in service on any individual bus route that would add or eliminate 20% or more of the route's weekly revenue miles (the number of mile a bus operates while carrying paying passengers). [NOTE: Previous policy reduced from 25% change to 20%.]
Any change in service on any individual bus route that would add or eliminate 20% or more of the route's weekly revenue hours (the number of hours a bus operates while carrying paying passengers). [NOTE: Previous policy reduced from 25% change to 20%.]
Any change in service on any individual bus route that would add or eliminate 15% or more of the average daily ridership. [NOTE: Previous policy did not include ridership.]

Draft Disparate Impact Policy

A disparate impact is when the average fare or service change impacts for minority riders is 5% or greater than non-minority riders. [NOTE: Previous policy reduced from more than 15% to 5%.]

Draft Disproportionate Burden Policy

A disproportionate burden is when the average fare or service change impacts for low-income riders is 5% or greater than non-low-income riders. [NOTE: Previous policy reduced from more than 15% to 5%.]

Public Comment

Loudoun County Transit will accept public comment on these policies via its website, email, U.S. mail, and outreach events from September 16, 2019, through October 16, 2019. During the public comment period, staff will analyze all public comments received, and revise the proposed policies as appropriate. The policies will subsequently be submitted to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors for approval.

Email: Transit@Loudoun.gov

Mail: Title VI Manager, P.O. Box 7500, DTCI MSC #64, Leesburg, VA 20177-7500

Phone: 703-771-5665