The Department of Transportation recently announced updates to its Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander action plan. 

The plan outlines the work being done to help the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities "ovrecome the systemic barriers to economic opportunity and persistent disparities in access, safety and other considerations across our transportation system," according to a Jan. 17 news release.

“Transportation as we know it wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders,” Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said in a post on Twitter. “We're announcing our action plan to combat anti-Asian hate, advance opportunity and create a transportation system where everyone can thrive.”

Priorities in the plan include assessing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander perceptions of public transportation, promoting Title VI awareness in those communities, improving federal grant competitiveness for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander businesses and improving the DOT's Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander workforce participation rates, the release reported.

“Through our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander action plan, we will continue working to address anti-Asian hate on public transportation, create economic opportunity in AA and NHPI communities and promote diversity in our own federal workforce," Buttigieg said, according to the release. "Our goal is to create a transportation system that truly serves everyone, and empowers every community to access the jobs, resources and opportunities we all need to thrive.”