Putting underserved riders at the center of a statewide transportation plan
Washington State Department of Transportation
PRR helped the Washington State Department of Transportation bring vulnerable and transit-dependent communities into the update of the statewide Public Transportation Plan. By recruiting and compensating a community advisory group to co-create outreach, PRR made sure historically underserved voices helped shape transportation decisions for years to come.
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The Situation
Planning transit with the people who rely on it most
The Washington State Public Transportation Plan guided how legislators and local decision-makers prioritized transit for years to come. WSDOT's Public Transportation Division wanted the update to reflect the people who relied on transit most: vulnerable and transit-dependent communities whose voices were too often missing from statewide planning.
The Opportunity
A community-led approach to statewide outreach
Rather than collecting input through conventional channels, PRR designed a community-led approach. The team recruited a statewide community advisory group of residents and representatives from community-based organizations serving People of Color, Tribal members, immigrants and refugees, people with disabilities, people who speak languages other than English at home, people living on low incomes, young people, and elders. By compensating members for their time and expertise, PRR positioned the community as partners shaping the outreach, not just subjects of it.
The Solution
Meeting people through partners they already know
PRR equipped advisory group members to design and lead outreach in their own communities: developing focus group and interview guides, organizing events, conducting interviews, and hosting in-language focus groups and intercept interviews. A compensation program ensured participation never came at community members' expense.
Built a statewide advisory group
Co-created the outreach
Reached people in language and place
Compensated every contributor
Turned input into the plan
Results
A plan shaped by the people it's meant to serve
In spring of 2026, community partners made possible 15 outreach events, including five with Washington State Tribes, and gathered input from 269 historically underserved residents. That feedback helped shape a Public Transportation Plan built to reflect the communities it served.
