Green New Deal Needs to Push for Better Transit Policies

The Green New Deal introduced by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey in February seeks to address climate change and economic inequality by fostering a green economy. The proposal would drastically shift national economic focus, including a move toward more sustainable transportation modes, writes Ben Fried and Hayley Richardson:

Until now, transit has been relegated to the margins of federal policy while the lion’s share of transportation resources go toward highways. The Green New Deal suggests a much different approach -- one that aims to put fast, reliable service within walking distance of as many homes and jobs as possible.

Fried and Richardson argue, however, that federal funding increases for transit are not enough and that more far-reaching policy changes are necessary. They want to see a move away from funding of highway expansion projects to ones that support transit and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.

Further, they believe that transit projects need to maximize ridership, not just minimize costs. "Transit expansion projects are essential, but they must be built where large numbers of people can walk to stops. It’s worth the additional expense to build transit people will ride. In a climate crisis, we can’t afford to do otherwise."

Federal funding should also focus less on infrastructure and more on service and operations, say Fried and Richardson. "So how should federal policy improve local transit service? To start with, any operating support from the feds should come in the form of matching funds that don’t supplant local transit spending."

In addition, they argue that certain transit projects should be exempt from onerous environmental review processes. "Transportation agencies should also have more leeway to spend federal funds on pedestrian infrastructure. Most transit trips involve walking, and agencies shouldn’t have to apply for sidewalk funds from an alphabet soup of tight-fisted federal programs."