WASHINGTON There was a time, not so long ago, when it was widely accepted that the primary role of public transit agencies was to transport as many people as possible safely, efficiently and at modest cost.

In striving to achieve those goals, it was said, transit agencies would reduce congestion, cut exhaust emissions, save the planet.

Transit agencies, by and large do move people safely and, at times, efficiently and cost effectively.

Unfortunately, many transit agencies, as anyone who has spent even a minimum amount of time studying the industry can readily attest, are financial sink holes.

And transit agencies have had only limited success at getting Americans to abandon their automobiles, thereby reducing pollution and congestion to any great extent.

Having come up short on several fronts, the U.S. Department of Transportation has now found a new mission for public transit - economic development and other fun things.

The USDOT has proposed revised funding guidelines for major transit projects that would be based on "livability issues," such as economic development opportunities and environmental benefits, in addition to cost and commuting-time savings.

The guidelines would change how the Federal Transit Administration selects projects to receive federal tax dollars through its New Starts and Small Starts programs.

The FTA will immediately rescind budget restrictions issued by the Bush Administration five years ago that primarily focused on how much a transit project shortened commute times in comparison to its cost.

The new guidelines mean the FTA will now evaluate a projects environmental, community, economic development and congestion relief benefits.

The Obama administration soon will initiate a rulemaking process on the guidelines and seek public comment on the best ways to measure such benefits.

"Our new policy for selecting major transit projects will work to promote livability rather than hinder it," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in a statement. "Well finally be able to make the case for investing in popular streetcar projects and other transit systems that people want - and that our old ways of doing business didnt value enough."

The American Public Transportation Association backs the guideline revisions as "much needed changes to the New Starts project selection process."

"This is a change that APTA has long championed, and it will allow for a more efficient approval process, so projects can move forward more quickly," said APTA President William Millar in a statement.