Public transportation is essential for the well-being of our planet and the economic health of the millions and millions of Americans who can’t afford cars. Biden knows this. And he has always been a supporter of public transportation. Since becoming president, he has really put his money where his mouth is.
Last year Biden's Undersecretary of Transportation, Carlos Monje, pointed to the astonishing bottom line in an interview on the infrastructure bill:
”Biden has allocated more money to public transportation during his administration than in the entire history of the United States.” He continued,
We have $7.5 billion in funds to create vehicle charging stations, but at the same time, we have to reduce the number of [car] trips and move more passengers. More people on trains and buses. It does not happen out of the blue. It must be achieved by making investments at different levels and designing those plans.
We are doing everything we can, and during COVID many people stayed at home or switched to cars instead of using public transport. We are trying to have this system in each location that is more reliable, more convenient and cheaper, and get people back in public transportation. At the same time, we have to replace old buses. And the trend will change with that, but not only by dedicating plans to transportation itself, but by organizing each community so that there is not so much movement to go to work, to take the children to and from school.
Old, polluting buses have been a particular problem in the past. Biden’s infrastructure law has invested big in improving them and the infrastructure they need to operate. As the FTA explained last June:
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Nearly $1.7 Billion to Help Put Better, Cleaner Buses on the Roads in Communities Across the Country
Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced 130 awards totaling nearly $1.7 billion from President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for transit projects in 46 states and territories. This funding invests in more than 1,700 American-built buses that will be manufactured with American parts and labor.
Nearly half of these buses will be zero-emission models, bringing the total number of zero-emission transit buses funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over two years to more than 1,800 — and more than doubling the number of zero-emission transit buses on America’s roadways. Many of the grant recipients have pledged to buy standardized buses and vans and avoid customization, which will result in faster delivery and lower costs.
"Every day, over 60,000 buses in communities of all sizes take millions of Americans to work, school, and everywhere else they need to go," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Today’s announcement means more clean buses, less pollution, more jobs in manufacturing and maintenance, and better commutes for families across the country."
Today's investment is the second bus grant package funded by President Biden's signature Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has now invested more than $3.3 billion in American transit buses and the infrastructure that supports them. Over the next three years, record funding for American transit investment secured under President Biden's leadership will provide almost $5 billion more.
And that’s not all. On December 8 of last year, according to CBS News, Biden’s vision for rail was on track to become reality:
Biden administration announces largest passenger rail investment since Amtrak creation
President Biden on Friday is announcing $8.2 billion in new funding for 10 passenger rail projects nationwide, representing the largest federal investment in passenger rail transportation since Amtrak was created in 1971.
What’s more, Government Executive reported last December that Biden is making federal travel more sustainable, including by asking employees to take public transit — saving money and modeling habits that cut emissions for everyone.
Biden to require feds to take public transit, other ‘green’ options when traveling
Federal employees must proactively take steps to make their work travel more sustainable under new guidance from the Biden administration, which the White House said would save taxpayer money and help take on the climate change crisis.
Workers on official business will have to prioritize taking public transit, renting electric vehicles or even riding bikes under a new memorandum from the Office of Management and Budget and a General Services Administration (GSA) bulletin that updated the Federal Travel Regulation. Agencies should also consider not sending employees on business trips at all, with GSA noting, “In every case, the trip not taken is the least expensive and most sustainable.”
Just a few weeks ago Bloomberg reported another huge investment in public transit:
Biden Offers $9.8 Billion to Bolster Public Transit Agencies
President Joe Biden’s administration will provide $9.8 billion in federal funds to public transit agencies, the latest effort to highlight investments in US infrastructure as he seeks reelection in November.
The investments will help people travel faster and at modest prices, according to a senior administration official, with money going toward assisting communities to maintain and operate trains, buses and ferries, upgrade stations and plan for new transit corridors.
Is there still more work to be done? 100%! Lots more work. But Biden has done so much more than many people guessed could be done. He deserves a lot of credit. AND he deserves to be re-elected.
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These posts are written by Goodnewsroundup (Goodie),
edited by Matilda Briggs, supported by 2thanks and WolverineTJatAW,
and reinforced by several notable Kossacks!
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