Planning & Strategy
Make clear, people‑first transit decisions you can fund and defend
At The Navigation Firm, we help public and Tribal partners decide where to invest and how to serve. Our approach puts people first and keeps things plain‑spoken—you’ll get a plan you can fund, maps you can share, and steps your team can carry forward with confidence.
Why planning & strategy matters
Transportation choices shape daily life. By looking at the whole picture—what people need, what budgets allow and how services connect—we help you:
Clarify direction. Avoid guesswork with a simple plan everyone can follow.
Compare options. See side‑by‑side choices with the trade‑offs made clear so leaders and riders understand what’s possible.
Prepare for funding. Use grant‑ready maps, narratives and right‑sized cost estimates to secure resources and stay compliant.
Build trust. Set up a light reporting rhythm so boards, councils and communities stay informed and engaged.
Our services
We offer a range of planning services tailored to different contexts—from rural routes to regional networks. Each description below explains why it matters and how we work, without technical jargon or long lists.
Coordinated Mobility & Human Services (CPT‑HSTP)
Transportation works best when it aligns with aging, disability, veterans, health and social‑service partners. We inventory current services, eligibility rules and funding sources to spot gaps; set shared standards and priorities with practical memoranda of understanding; and prepare a costed project list with owners, timelines and quick wins so everyone knows what comes next.
Public transportation planning
Whether you’re running fixed routes, demand‑response service or microtransit, reliable and easy‑to‑understand service makes the difference. We help you design options that balance convenience, coverage and cost; create clear maps and schedules for boards and the public; and provide equity and access snapshots that inform decisions.
Rural planning & transit development plans (TDPs)
Rural communities face unique challenges—long distances, limited resources and lifeline trips. We refresh policies and service windows to match true demand; develop fleet and staffing plans tied to phased rollouts; and provide operating and capital estimates with funding notes, so you can right‑size your service without surprises.
Tribal transit strategy & governance
Sovereignty and sustainability go hand in hand. We develop 5311/5311(c) strategies and prepare materials ready for Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) applications; draft intergovernmental agreements for boundaries and cost‑sharing; and create board and council reporting cadences along with policy handbooks so Tribal transit programs thrive long term.
Mobility management (one‑call/one‑click)
Finding and completing trips shouldn’t be a puzzle. We design referral and eligibility workflows across providers, develop travel training and “how to ride” materials, and establish simple outcome measures that show the impact of improved mobility management.
Regional & multi‑state planning
Travel doesn’t stop at the county or state line. We coordinate across jurisdictions to strengthen connections and competitiveness by designing multi‑jurisdiction governance structures and practical MOUs; crafting corridor concepts with handoffs, schedules and fares; and aligning joint funding timelines with shared data standards.
How our planning process works
Our proven process guides you from first conversation to confident delivery:
Listen & understand. We begin by hearing your goals, constraints and vision of success—for leaders, staff and the community.
Co‑create options. Together, we shape a small set of practical choices, each with clear benefits and trade‑offs so everyone understands the path ahead.
Make it decision‑ready. We produce plain‑language summaries, simple maps and right‑sized cost ranges—materials you can take straight to boards, councils and partners.
Share clearly. We prepare public‑facing content that explains what’s changing, when and why—so people feel informed and included.
Keep momentum. A light reporting rhythm and brief check‑ins help track progress, celebrate wins and adjust when needs change.
Let’s plan with confidence
Ready to align your transit service around what riders need now and what’s next?