Credit Sarah Hulett / Michigan Radio President Joe Biden's long-time reliance on Amtrak to get between his home and work in Washington, D.C is well-known. And Pete Buttigieg, the man Biden has nominated for U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary, says he hopes to carve out $1.5 billion for public transit across the U.S. Federal help for public transit in Michigan from the incoming administration would be a much-needed boon, according to Matthew Carpenter, CEO of the Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority. Carpenter is also Chair of the Board of the Michigan Public Transit Association. "We're excited as an industry to see that kind of proposal coming from the Biden Administration, and it's an exciting time," says Carpenter. "And when we look at climate change, and the need for equity in our society, and also frankly, competition from places like China which is doing great things with infrastructure, it's really welcome to see the federal government stepping into such a strong role."