The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Transit must be a priority
In the bipartisan infrastructure bill, the Senate has shortchanged one of the most pressing issues facing our country: the climate crisis.
The transportation sector is the number one generator of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Yet, the bill recently put forward by the Democratic Senate fails to advance basic solutions to this problem, such as fully funding public transit to give people an alternative to fossil fuel emitting vehicles.
This is unacceptable, and dangerously short-sighted. The House’s INVEST Act provides a guide for increasing funding for public transit to match funding for roads and bridges. We also need our representatives to support the Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act, which provides $20 billion per year directly for transit operations. These investments would ensure reliable, frequent and safe transportation options.
Beyond the necessity of climate action, fully funded public transit would also increase economic opportunities, particularly for communities of color impacted by decades of discriminatory transportation policies.
If we are serious about confronting the climate crisis and ensuring economic opportunity for all, we cannot ignore the need for public transit.
It’s not too late for Congress to restore public transit as a priority.
Courtney Horner Oberlin