AHC/WI: More surviving streetcar lines?

I think what killed the streetcar lines was two factors:

1. It was MUCH easier to adjust bus lines to accommodate changes in ridership patterns.

2. Streetcars--unlike today's modern, articulated trolleys--had relatively low passenger load per streetcar. That's why in Hong Kong, they used double-decker trams to accommodate more passengers per tram.

Today's really modern streetcar systems tend to use larger capacity vehicles than the old PCC's. And they're generally low-floor vehicles to make them more friendly to disabled passengers.
 
Carl Schwamberger said:
To many competing demands for resources, including skilled labor for the task.
I won't disagree with that
Carl Schwamberger said:
As the mobilization went forward in 1941-42 its was discovered the US had lost a significant portion of its 1920s peak freight capacity, & the entire system was badly under maintained. Short version is most of the freight railway was partially or fully rebuilt during the war & portions were still not repaired by mid 1945. Factory capacity in new England was supposedly under used during the war because of the difficulty in restoring the necessary rail capacity to and from there.
This, I did not know. Thx.
Carl Schwamberger said:
Yes, something might have been done that late, but it would look more like the modern efforts around Chicago or in the NE US than like restoration of 1920s inner urban mass transit.
This, plus the above, makes me think the '30s are the ideal time.

I do, however, get a sense you're thinking, if done in the '50s, it produces effects not unlike what Interstates did OTL. (I'm not really aware of what modern Chicago work looks like...:eek:) I also get a sense you think it's not good enough, & that a bigger, more comprehensive approach is (would be) warranted. Thoughts on what it is?
 
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