Civil Rights
The COMET operates public transportation services and employs individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion and other protected classes.
ADA & Reasonable Modifications
The COMET is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, services, and activities.
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Title VI
The COMET is committed to complying with the requirements of Title VI in all federally funded programs.
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Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
The COMET is DBE certified and adheres to all Disadvantaged Business Enterprise policies.
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Equal Employment Opportunity
The COMET is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity.
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Americans with Disabilities Act – ADA
The COMET is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, services, and activities. The COMET recognizes that in order to have equally effective opportunities and benefits, individuals with disabilities may need reasonable modifications to policies and procedures. The COMET will adhere to all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable modifications, as necessary, to afford equal access to programs for persons with disabilities. The COMET does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission to, participation in, or receipt of services and benefits under any transit program or activity. The COMET will take appropriate steps to ensure that persons with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate.
No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of The COMET, or be subject to discrimination by The COMET.
No qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of The COMET, or be subject to discrimination by The COMET.
Download The Reasonable Modification Policy
Download the ADA Complaint Form
Learn more about accessibility on The COMET
Submitting an ADA Complaint
Any individual who feels they have experienced unlawful discrimination under ADA can submit a complaint at no charge. All complaints can be submitted over the phone 803-255-7129, email (aprince@thecometsc.gov), on our contact form, in person or mailed to the address shown below.
3613 Lucius Road
Columbia, SC, 29201
Columbia, SC, 29201
Title VI of The Civil Rights Act
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 states the following: “No person in the United 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.” The COMET operates public transportation services and employs individuals without regard to:
- Race
- Color
- National Origin
Submitting a Title VI Complaint
Any individual who feels he or she has experienced unlawful discrimination under Title VI can submit a complaint at no charge. All complaints can be submitted over the phone (803-255-7100), email (info@thecometsc.gov), on our contact form, mailed, or submitted in person at the address shown below.
3613 Lucius Road
Columbia, SC, 29201
Columbia, SC, 29201
Title VI Complaint Forms
Title VI Complaint Guidelines
The Executive Director, General Manager, senior management and all supervisors and employees share the responsibility for carrying out The COMET’s commitment to Title VI. The Title VI officer is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the program and receives and investigates Title VI complaints that come through the complaint procedures process.
Below is an update of our Title VI plan. Please review as we are receiving feedback through May 23, 2023. To provide feedback, please contact Dr. Arlene Prince, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights Officer at 803.255.7129 or email: aprince@TheCOMETSC.gov.
Below is an update of our Title VI plan. Please review as we are receiving feedback through May 23, 2023. To provide feedback, please contact Dr. Arlene Prince, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights Officer at 803.255.7129 or email: aprince@TheCOMETSC.gov.
Title VI Compliance Program Update – 2023
In order for The COMET to investigate a complaint filed, the following guidelines must be met:
- The issue must be one of discrimination, and specific criteria must be met in order for The COMET to investigate the charge of harassment, discrimination and/or retaliation.
- It is necessary to show that persons of a different group (race, color, national origin) have been treated in a different manner or in the refusal or restriction of a facility or service.
- The complaint must be filed within 180 calendar days from the date of the alleged discriminatory act.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) is a legislatively mandated USDOT program that applies to Federal-aid highway dollars expended on federally-assisted contracts issued by USDOT recipients such as State Transportation Agencies (STAs). The U.S. Congress established the DBE program in 1982 to:
- Ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts;
- Help remove barriers to the participation of DBEs in DOT-assisted contracts, and
- Assist the development of firms that can compete successfully in the marketplace outside of the DBE program.
DBE Plan and Policy Statement
File a DBE Complaint
SCDOT DBE and SBE Certification Program
Goal Methodology 2020-2022
For more information, contact Dr. Arlene Prince, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights Officer at 803.255.7129 or email: aprince@TheCOMETSC.gov
Equal Employment Opportunity
The COMET is firmly committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and will administer its personnel policies and conduct its employment practices in a manner that results in treatment based on merit, experience, and other work-related criteria, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic under relevant state and federal laws.
Contact
Any individual who feels he or she has experienced unlawful discrimination can submit a complaint at no charge. All complaints can be submitted to:
Dr. Arlene Prince, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights Officer at 803.255.7129 or email: aprince@TheCOMETSC.gov
Dr. Arlene Prince, Director of Regulatory Compliance and Civil Rights Officer at 803.255.7129 or email: aprince@TheCOMETSC.gov
