Trams get stuck in traffic, are rather uncomfortable, can only go on their rails and are inflexible, have capacity that is comparable to that of busses (far less than subways), require ugly wires above to provide power, require pedestrians to cross a lane of traffic to get in and frankly I would hate to drive anywhere ...

The perception that "trams are bad" usually stems from their high initial infrastructure costs and their lack of flexibility compared to modern bus systems. In 2026, critics often point out that laying tracks and installing overhead catenary wires requires massive upfront capital and months of disruptive street construction that can kill local businesses. Furthermore, trams are bound by their tracks; if a single vehicle breaks down or a car is illegally parked on the line, the entire system behind it comes to a standstill, unlike buses which can simply drive around obstacles. There are also safety concerns regarding the tracks themselves, which can be treacherous for cyclists and motorcyclists, especially in wet weather when the metal becomes slick. In older cities, the noise and vibration of trams can damage historical building foundations over time. While they are environmentally friendly, these logistical "inflexibilities" often lead urban planners to prefer Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which offers similar capacity with the ability to reroute during emergencies or road repairs without millions of dollars in track relocations.