Because the trams would operate at street level, they would be subject to traffic congestion like buses, although they would be somewhat less affected because they would operate on dedicated center lanes on some streets. City Transportation Director Cheryl Soon said the city hopes 57 percent of the funding would come from the state and federal government. She said no new taxes would be required. With an overhead system ruled out, only modest improvements seem possible. However, if the trams offered even marginally faster, more comfortable service than the bus system they might attract more riders.
Buses are often crowded, uncomfortable and slow, which limits their appeal.
The whole point of mass transit is to lure people out of their cars and relieve traffic congestion. THE Dow Jones Industrial Average is supposed to reflect America's economic health. For it to be accurate, the 30 companies included in the average also must reflect the nature of the economy. The Wall Street Journal's replacement of four venerable corporations with upstart successes in its figuring is a sign of the country's embrace of new technology. For Microsoft, the largest U.S. company by market value, and Intel, the third largest, it was about time.