Streetcar Scandal and Modern Transportation

Ever heard of the American Streetcar Scandal? I bet not. Check out this video I made for an innovation class at the University of Calgary.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Transportation
• Streetcar

[crnadak87]

This is properly done!

[nevetskcaps]

@crnadak87 Thanks!

[Corvetteably]

I would suggest you read Chris Slater's article published in Transportation Quarterly vol 51, 1997, "General Motors and the Demise of Streetcars". It goes into great detail to explain GM's involvement in the fall of streetcar lines in the US. Basically, they were going to die in the US with or without GM. A combination of people preferring private cars, the cost advantages of buses vs light rail and the move towards lower housing densities in US cities all played key roles in the demise (cont)

[Corvetteably]

One last point, (thought it will appear first ;) ) Many people report that the companies were found guilty of trying to monopolize transportation services and break up rail lines. In fact they were acquitted of those charges. The executives were only found guilty of trying to force the bus lines they owned to buy parts only from the parent companies. This information and the references to back these statements are on the wiki entry for the Great American Streetcar Scandal.

[lorenzoferlinghetti]

Awesome video! Interesting choice of image at 0:50...lost souls being ferried over the mighty Styx. Reminds me of my morning commute.

[tbonejack36]

Very nice video!

[Stidmatt1]

thank you for being so accurate. it is so hard to find the truth on this issue on-line. i know this is true because my family is from LA and my great-grandmother told us of the trolleys that ran right by her house, which were extremely convenient. hopefully we can rebuild our infrastructure someday.

[funkyconvert123]

They should have had you as a voice for Liberty City's history in GTA 4.

[00dtjacobson]

Thanks! A nice analysis of the obstacles faced by public transit in North America. I plan on sharing this with my Economics students as we study government regulation and deregulation.

[Corvetteably]

(cont)

of street car systems in the US. The companies that were involved in NCL (not just GM) had at best exposure to only 10% of the US streetcar line market. That leaves 90% unaffected by the alleged conspirators. That remaining 90% still fell. It's easy to blame the big bad car companies but really, that's a cop out. The reality is at the time street car lines weren't making money and the advantages of cars and buses were very compelling. Only later can we see the disadvantages.