When you watch our latest video, "Transporting America: United Streetcar," you'll see the next generation of transportation. You'll see transit investments from the Department of Transportation helping people get where they need to go without breaking the bank. And you'll see a company out-innovating and out-building its foreign competition while creating jobs for American workers.
The streetcars rolling through Portland, Oregon, are helping commuters beat the rising cost of refueling their cars and vans and trucks. And, as rising gas prices take a bigger bite out of family budgets, other communities are looking to ease that bite through similar transportation options.
As commuter Jim Winkle says in the video, "It's made a huge difference."
That's why the Department of Transportation has supported streetcar projects in communities like Portland across America. From Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, DC, to Tucson, Arizona, and Dallas, Texas, grants from the Federal Transit Administration are helping jump-start the American streetcar renaissance.
United Streetcar president Chandra Brown agrees: "The Department of Transportation has been a true partner as the streetcar industry has developed. Without their assistance, we could not have made the private investment to make this new industry successful."
That's good news for commuters and their families. It's also good news for American workers because, at United Streetcar, they're manufacturing the first American streetcars in more than 50 years.
I love the idea of DOT grants helping create American jobs, and I love the idea of helping American families with options to ease the pinch they feel at the pump. But there's also the pride I hear in workers--like welder Steve Goodman and construction foreman Casey Peacock--who know that for the first time in more than 50 years America can build its own streetcars.
And not only build our own streetcars--this company is bold enough to take on its foreign competitors by planning to export the cars they make.
President Obama has challenged Americans to dream big and build big. United Streetcar has risen to that challenge, and they’re doing it all with American parts, labor, and ingenuity. That means less congestion on our roads, more jobs for American workers, and a future we are prepared to win.
"The next generation of transportation"??? Seriously, streets cars are about 6 generartions ago. So sad, really that all of your transportation priorities are being exposed as wasteful. President Obama sold out your High Speed Rail last week -- do you really think street cars are "winning the future"?
Posted by: Claire | April 12, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Mr LaHood and Mr Obama,
I am disappointed at the recent budget compromise to cut High Speed Rail funding from $2.5 billion to $1 billion. This compromise comes just weeks after you called to invest $53 billion/6 years for High Speed Rail. With great fanfare you explained why HSR is essential to help our country win the future.
Defense cuts would pay for this $9B/year program that reduces freeway congestion and cuts greenhouse gases. Over 15-20 years, America could cut .5 billion barrels/year from foreign oil consumption by dramatically cutting longer drives and short flights.
But since you would not stand for $2.5B in the current budget, supporters in your base NOW DOUBT your backbone to fight for HSR and other infrastructure to win the future.
Posted by: Thomas Dorsey | April 12, 2011 at 02:02 PM
BRING IT TO A REAL CITY LIKE PHILLY
Posted by: Josh | April 12, 2011 at 10:26 PM
Good news! Would like to see some streetcars here in Montreal, Canada too!
Posted by: Galo | April 13, 2011 at 01:02 AM
I like that. Seeing America finally taking action steps agains pollution in cities. But I guess it will take years for them to bring it to all big cities. Why are we not take European cities as example. They seem to have pollution in public transport under control.
Posted by: Werbeagentur | June 29, 2011 at 06:24 AM