Nationwide, historic tramlines were ripped up and replaced by trolleybuses, buses, and cars instead of modernizing the fleet of trams, as they were considered obsolete.

Far from being obsolete, trams (or Light Rail Transit) are currently experiencing a global renaissance as cities seek sustainable, high-capacity alternatives to cars. While many cities ripped out their tracks in the mid-20th century to make room for buses, modern trams are seen as superior because they provide a smoother ride, higher passenger capacity, and zero tailpipe emissions. Modern "low-floor" trams are also much more accessible for strollers and wheelchairs than traditional buses. Cities like Luxembourg, Melbourne, and Zurich rely heavily on their tram networks as the backbone of urban mobility. In 2026, new technology like "trackless trams" (which use sensors to follow painted lines) and catenary-free trams (which use onboard batteries to avoid ugly overhead wires) are making it cheaper and faster for cities to implement rail-style transit without the massive infrastructure costs of digging subways.