A throwback to the past

In a throwback to the past, it appears that streetcars and trolley buses are making a comeback in American cities. I grew up (or at least got partway through doing so) with streetcars and trolley buses on every major thoroughfare in my city (Cincinnati). Then, they all disappeared.

Unfortunately, it appears the new systems will be largely for show to tourists and will not really provide daily transportation for the local population.

Despite being celebrated in literature and film, streetcars had largely disappeared from America's cities by the end of the Second World War, to be replaced by buses and trains. Now, they are steadily making a clattering comeback.

With communities across the US investing to revitalise their often decrepit city centres, and with planners keen to try to avoid the congestion caused by cars, streetcars or trolleys are being reintroduced to lure tourists and commuters.

Officials say that developers - with an eye on capitalising on the nostalgia value - will now often back a project involving a streetcar that they might otherwise have dismissed.

Too bad. We need something that reduces our greenhouse gas emissions.