"To be competitive in the global economy of the future, we must commit to a new, comprehensive transportation strategy that meets our future transportation needs, reduces carbon emissions, and spurs the creation of a strong domestic transportation manufacturing sector," the report states.

That strategy, as outlined in the report, should include increased investment in the nation's public transportation systems, wider adoption of cleaner means to transport goods, and expanded domestic production of advanced transit and freight vehicles.

"To double public transit ridership over the next two decades, bring our existing systems into a state of good repair, and increase demand for American manufactured goods, the next transportation authorization should invest $30 billion annually at the federal level in public transit infrastructure and vehicles," according to the report. Current federal funding of mass transit is about $11 billion.

During a telephone news briefing Wednesday about the report, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, called the report a road map for rebuilding the nation's manufacturing base.

Brown, who chairs the Senate's Subcommittee on Economic Policy, also said he will introduce legislation during the upcoming lame-duck session of Congress to strengthen "Buy American" rules for mass-transit investment.

Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers and a founding board member of the Apollo Alliance, said that the report's plans, if implemented, would bring about a "first-class transportation system" while also fostering good-paying employment opportunities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He said enlarging the nation's investment in mass transit should not require trade-offs from other transportation priorities such as highway construction.

The 20-page report, "Make It in America: The Apollo Clean Transportation Manufacturing Action Plan," is available at bit.ly/Mass_Transit_Report.