Barack Obama announced four new members of his team in a press conference Friday afternoon, including Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) for secretary of transportation and Rep. Hilda Solis for secretary of labor.
Solis, Obama said, would be a leader in creating green-collar jobs. “We’re also going to have to train our workers to be prepared for these jobs of the future,” said Obama. “If we’re going to build a smart grid, for example ... We have a shortage right now of workers who could do all that work. We’re going to have to create a pipeline through the Department of Labor.”
In her brief remarks, Solis said she wanted to put Americans to work overhauling the nation’s energy infrastructure. “These are jobs that will supply good jobs for all working families,” said Solis.
LaHood, Obama said, would bring experience and bipartisanship to his work on the nation’s transportation infrastructure.
“Few understand our infrastructure challenge better than the outstanding public servant I am asking to lead the Department of Transportation,” said Obama. “As a congressman from Illinois, Ray served six years on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, leading efforts to modernize our aviation system by renewing our aging airports and ensuring that air traffic controllers were using cutting edge technology. Throughout his career, Ray has fought to improve mass transit and invest in our highways. But he has not only helped rebuild our landscape, he has helped beautify it by creating opportunities for bikers and runners to enjoy our great outdoors.
“When I began this appointment process, I said I was committed to finding the best person for the job, regardless of party,” Obama continued. “Ray’s appointment reflects that bipartisan spirit—a spirit we need to reclaim in this country to make progress for the American people.”
In his remarks, LaHood said, “President Obama and I share the same philosophy on infrastructure ... His agenda for transportation is my agenda for transportation. We have a task before us to rebuild America.” LaHood called for the United States to “continue to be a leader” and to make improvements in Amtrak, mass transit, and light rail.
Obama emphasized that both LaHood and Solis have important roles to play in his administration’s economic and energy policy.
“Our economy boomed in the 20th century when President Eisenhower remade the American landscape by building the interstate highway system. Now we need to remake our transportation system for the 21st century,” he said. “Doing so will not only help us meet our energy challenge by building more efficient cars, buses, and subways or make Americans safer by rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges—it will create millions of new jobs in the process.”
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Comments
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Dan Howitt Posted 4:43 am
20 Dec 2008
Dan Howitt
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Dan Howitt Posted 4:45 am
20 Dec 2008
I think so as well.
Dan Howitt
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ryskeeman Posted 8:34 am
21 Dec 2008
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Darrell Posted 4:54 pm
21 Dec 2008
Two examples from Los Angeles are the Wilshire "Rapid" buses that carry a lot of people but despite limited stops and some signal priority are slow in traffic -- and will be replaced with a subway -- and the Orange Line dedicated busway that is already out of capacity and takes 50% longer than a light rail line would have.
See also details of Eugene, Oregon's BRT.
BRT is an improvement over regular bus service, but falls short of light rail's speed, comfort, and capacity.
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ryskeeman Posted 12:53 am
24 Dec 2008
I think that it is dangerous to base our conceptions of a viable public transportation system solely on the shoulder of the light rail. Let's face it. Light rails have their downsides and are not practical for a lot of situations. It is like going to a retail camera store and only having the salesperson show you the most expensive, best rated professional camera and being told the rest just isn't worth your time. Reluctantly, you realize that you can't afford that camera and the other cameras aren't worth your time and so you just don't take pictures of that new baby. What a shame.
Bus Rapid Transit systems are going to be an integral part of the future urban world in developing countries. Curitiba, Brazil has a particularly effective BRT system that is worth a look.
All I'm saying is that bus systems have more potential than we are used to thinking. If we focus only on light rails we will find ourselves getting a handful of new light rails projects (did i mention they were "wayyy" expensive?) to be finished within 10 years and less money and political capital to try other alternatives. Why not use the road infrastructure that we already have? Don't get me wrong. Light rails are great. I just think that we should open our mind.
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Dan Howitt Posted 12:18 pm
24 Dec 2008
Dan Howitt
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