The Decline of Trams and Streetcars in the USA: How Automotive and Energy Industries Shaped Urban Transportation

Have you ever heard of the famous cable cars in San Francisco? These iconic streetcars are just a small part of a once-dominant urban transportation system in the USA. Trams and streetcars were widely used in both small and large cities across the country, connecting coast to coast via interconnected transit systems. However, over the years, the rise of the automotive industry and energy corporations led to the decline and eventual replacement of these efficient systems with buses and other less sustainable methods.

Prevalence of Trams and Streetcars

Throughout history, urban areas of all sizes were served by electric rail transit systems. At one point, it was entirely possible to travel from coast to coast utilizing the interconnected transit systems of the major cities in between. These systems were efficient, cost-effective, and provided an environmentally friendly way to move people through bustling metropolises.

The Role of Automotive and Energy Industries

The automotive industry and energy corporations played a significant role in the decline of trams and streetcars. Through their lobbying efforts, they were able to create markets for their products and shape government policies that favored their interests. One such act, the Public Utilities Holding Company Trust Act, introduced in 1935, had a devastating impact on the electrical railroads. This legislation compelled them to sell off their power generation stations, effectively increasing the cost of electricity.

Additional Anti-Rail Legislation

Other discriminatory laws, such as the requirement that electric railroads pave their own tracks at their own expense without any governmental assistance, further hammered the industry. This action subsidized the automotive industry, which received no financial support towards the paving of roads. Additionally, the energy corporations providing the paving materials benefited from this arrangement, as they had a guaranteed market, all at the expense of the government, the automotive industry, and themselves.

Impact on Urban Transportation

The actions of the automotive, energy, and airline industries, along with gullible politicians who were influenced by them, led the nation to adopt fuel-intensive travel modes. These modes of transportation, such as automobiles and airplanes, have not only threatened the environment but also national security. The ongoing need to secure fossil fuel sources to feed the insatiable appetite of these machines has been a justification for numerous wars in the Middle East.

Conclusion and Future Investment

If the USA were to prioritize sustainability and national security, it should have invested in a nationwide high-speed rail (HSR) network several decades ago. Such a system would have helped to supplement the wasteful, expensive, and unsafe travel methods that continue to be used today. Investing in sustainable and efficient transportation systems would not only benefit the environment but also enhance the quality of life for all citizens.