Modern Streetcars: Waste of Money or City-Building Miracle?

Riding the legacy tram network in Lisbon, Portugal got me thinking: as inefficient as they are, as little ridership bang as they give you for your buck, are there circumstances where urban streetcars make sense?

Book recommendation! The Image of the City by Kevin Lynch, available here: amzn.to/3LM9YSy
This is an affiliate link where I make a small commission from your purchase, which helps support this channel. There is no extra cost to you.
Or...buy it at your local independent bookseller!

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Previous CityNerd Videos Referenced:
Tourism in Porto:    • Are Amazing Cities Being Overrun By T...  

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Resources:
www.transit.dot.gov/ntd/national-transit-database-…
web.archive.org/web/20120811043439/http://www.port…


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Images
KC Streetcar By Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120310218
Detroit Q Line By Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70669710
Tacoma Link (T Line) By Robert Scheuerman - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14638736
Portland Streetcar on Broadway Bridge By Steve Morgan, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50604404
Portland Streetcar at PSU By Cacophony - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2063863
Powell's Books By Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61326136
Jamison Square Park By Ian Poellet - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4573824
I-405 By Oregon Department of Transportation - I-405 interchange with U.S. 30 in northwest Portland, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=95452238
Portland Streetcar stop By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25911240
Portland Streetcar interior By Cacophony - Own work, CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3611130
Made In USA Streetcar By Steve Morgan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8457794
Portland Streetcar on Broadway Bridge By Steve Morgan, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28165893
Portland Streetcar on 19th Ave By Steve Morgan, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80076696
Portland Streetcar at aerial tram By Cacophony - Own work, CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3386086
Portland Streetcar on Tilikum Crossing By Steve Morgan, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49900640
Portland Streetcar on Lovejoy Ramp By Sam Beebe - Flickr: Portland Streetcar "Central Loop" first run, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21818216
Cincinnati Streetcar By RickDikeman - Own work, CC0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51376719
Oklahoma City Streetcar By Steve Morgan, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=112370311
Dallas Streetcar By Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51164256
Oklahoma City Streetcar (Thumbnail) By Kool Cats Photography over 9 Million Views from Edmond, OK, USA - OKC Streetcar, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=67464724

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Music:
CityNerd background: Caipirinha in Hawaii by Carmen María and Edu Espinal (YouTube music library)

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