At a Glance: The National Mission for Public Transport

The national mission for public transport is a transformative initiative aimed at modernizing and expanding the United States' public transportation systems. This mission will:

Provide substantial grants to state and local governments for the electrification and expansion of public transport networks, facilitating a nationwide shift to more efficient and clean modes of transportation.

Establish a national clean public transport standard, mandating the complete electrification of all public transportation in 10 years. States and cities failing to meet this target will face significant penalties, including the loss of federal funding in various areas.

Leverage the capabilities of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) to drive investment in industries essential for this transition. This includes manufacturing electric buses and trains, converting ride-sharing services to electric vehicles, and fostering the development of light electric vehicles for short-distance urban transport.

Work with ride sharing companies, taxi drivers, and local public transport systems to establish a new mode of public transportation in light electric vehicles for getting around town — for example, from a subway station to a home, or to locations not adequately served by subways and buses.

Make accomplishing high speed rail between major cities a patriotic test of whether America is truly great. Today, seemingly insurmountable cost and permitting obstacles make building high speed rail practically unthinkable. The Mission for America calls for confronting this challenge head on as a patriotic test of whether America is a "can do" nation or a "can't do" nation. Clearing away the state-level blockers to high speed rail can only be accomplished with an energetic embrace of this challenge by the nation as a whole. This will require creative political leadership that forces Americans to grapple with the fact that people in many low-income, developing nations speed between cities and from airports at hundreds of miles per hour while we are stuck in traffic. Why was China, decades ago, able to build tens of thousands of miles of high speed rail while today the U.S. still struggles to connect its first two cities, or even a single airport with a city center?

This mission recognizes the crucial role of public transportation in reducing emissions, alleviating traffic congestion, and improving urban livability. Electrifying public transport systems not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances the quality and reliability of services, benefiting commuters across the nation.

The large-scale funding provided to state and local governments will accelerate the electrification of buses, trains, and other forms of public transport. The national clean public transport standard sets a clear and ambitious goal, ensuring a unified effort across the country towards a greener future.

Adding a system of light (possibly automated) electric vehicles is the last step in public transportation that will allow the vast majority of people to no longer need cars for their everyday transport needs.

Furthermore, the RFC's active involvement in scaling necessary industries is a testament to the mission's comprehensive approach. By supporting existing companies and launching new ventures in vehicle manufacturing and related sectors, the RFC will play a pivotal role in creating a robust ecosystem for electric public transport. This initiative will not only meet immediate transportation needs but also foster long-term economic growth and innovation.