Transportation

The Charleston Area Transportation Study (CHATS) is our region’s designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). MPOs are responsible for carrying out the urban transportation planning process. CHATS is staffed by BCDCOG, which facilitates CHATS programs and initiatives across an 800-square-mile study area.

The primary responsibilities of any MPO are:

• Develop a Long Range Transportation Plan, which is, at a minimum, a 25-year transportation vision for the metropolitan area
• Develop a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which is the agreed-upon list of specific projects for which federal funds are anticipated
• Develop a Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), which identifies in a single document the annual transportation planning activities that are to be undertaken in support of the goals, objectives and actions established in the Long Range Transportation Plan.

CHATS is governed by a Policy Committee Board representing governmental and transportation-related organizations from throughout its coverage area.

Americans with Disabilities Act – ADA

BCDCOG is committed to providing equal access and opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities in all programs, services, and activities. BCDCOG recognizes that, in order to have equally effective opportunities and benefits, individuals with disabilities may need reasonable modifications to policies and procedures. BCDCOG 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. BCDCOG 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. BCDCOG 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 BCDCOG programs, or be subject to discrimination by BCDCOG.

Submitting an ADA Complaint

Any individual who feels they have experienced a violation under ADA can submit a complaint. All complaints can be submitted by telephone: (843) 529-0400, email: jburns@bcdcog.com, mail: 5790 Casper Padgett Way, North Charleston, SC 29406, on our website contact form, or in-person at 5790 Casper Padgett Way, North Charleston, SC 29406. The complaint should be in writing and contain information about the alleged discrimination such as name, address, phone number of complainant and location, date, and description of the problem.  Alternative means of filing complaints, such as personal interviews or a tape recording of the complaint will be made available for persons with disabilities upon request.

Within 15 calendar days after receipt of the complaint, the ADA Coordinator or their designee will contact the complainant to discuss the complaint and the possible resolutions.  Within 15 calendar days of the correspondence, the ADA Coordinator or their designee will respond in writing, and where appropriate, in a format accessible to the complainant, such as large print, Braille, or audio tape.  The response will explain the position of BCDCOG and offer options for substantive resolution of the complaint.

BCDCOG ADA Complaint Form

Public Information Concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended

The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in, or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color, or national origin, as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. For more information or to file a written complaint if you believe you have been subjected to discrimination under Title VI, you may contact the BCDCOG by mail 5790 Casper Padgett Way, North Charleston, SC 29406, or by phone at (843) 529-0400, TTY 1-800-735-8583, or by e-mail at robinm@bcdcog.com, or directly to the Office of Civil Rights, Federal Transit Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, D.C. 20590.  For more information on the procedure to file a complaint, please refer to the Title VI Program.

Para obtener más información sobre la Política del Título VI de BCDCOG y los procedimientos para presentar una queja, comuníquese con el Designado del Título VI al (843) 529-0400; correo electrónico RobinM@bcdcog.com; o escriba al Coordinador del Título VI en 5790 Casper Padgett way, North Charleston, SC 29406