And I think it's not hard to argue that he did quite a bit towards reducing car-centric design as a mayor. Mayors have WAY more control over that stuff, in general. The DOTs are the DOTs. They're going to be conservative and they're going to waste money. They also don't really follow federal marching orders.

Biden/Buttigieg have pushed for more Amtrak investment than has happened in a long time, though, along with proposals for further expansion for local rail and BRT service. Just a typical case study in a progressive failing the leftist purity test.

That's fair. I'm willing to concede that he doesn't have a major part to play in reducing car-centric design, though I think he could create general guidance for cities to follow

just a sad reality of our crappy two party system.

As an outsider, it looks like the US only has a one party system now. One party and a group of spiteful, contrarian fascists trying to overthrow its democracy.

I don't understand what you mean. He's in THE position to make changes to how this country handles transportation, and he hasn't done much of anything. He even made excuses for why trains can't have safer brakes or more stringent chemical safety requirements. I don't place the brunt of these issues on him, but he's doing fuck-all about them.