Public opinion reflects new stance
Before the end of the 19th century, electric tramways had appeared around the world, including in cities such as Kyoto, Japan, and Bangkok, Thailand.
With a system length of 123.3 miles (198.5 km), the Cologne Stadtbahn in Germany is the largest tram network in Europe.
In the 1920s, almost every big city in the world operated a tram system. It provided cheap and reliable transport for the masses, facilitating the growth of suburbs. Also, technical innovation in electrical engineering permitted larger and more powerful trams.
By the end of the decade, planners had begun to see the disadvantage in the lack of public transport. Traffic congestion in major cities was chaotic, and concerns about environmental pollution started to surface.
American promoters brought the tram to Europe, starting with Paris in 1853. The 1870s saw a boom in the construction of horse tramways, but there were a lot of limitations of animal power, and promoters soon turned to investigating mechanical traction.
The 1960s were a bad time for public transport in many parts of the world. There was a growing belief by the industry that the car would be the main mode of transport, and that buses were for those who couldn't afford cars. Only a handful of tramway systems survived in North America.
However, by that same time there had been a rapid increase in the cost of labor and materials, and the initial investment started to wear out. Also, mass production of personal cars started, which became huge competition for trams. In the end, it became cheaper to introduce buses than to extend tramways.
In the 1990s, the development of new technology to provide low-floor trams, meaning step-free entrances, came into reality across Europe.
Tramways were born in 1832, when the first horse tram moved around in the streets of New York City. The world's second horse tramway was launched in New Orleans in 1835.
Just like the original trams in the UK, the former British colony of Hong Kong has been using the rare double-deck trams since 1904.
Only in Europe did investment in trams continue, particularly in countries in Eastern Europe, like former Czechoslovakia and Poland. Spain and France followed the abandonment trend common in the UK and US.
The Great Depression, which started in the US in 1929, soon affected European economies. Many systems that operated at marginal profitability had a huge collapse. By the early 1930s, buses took over.
With step-free entrances, only 13 inches (350 mm) above rail level, trams became fully accessible to everyone, whether it's someone in a wheelchair or someone with heavy luggage.
North American politicians began to look at flourishing cities in Europe for a solution to their problems, and realized the importance of effective public transport, especially trams.
The Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) were created to take over responsibility for operations and development of the network. They commissioned studies to determine the locations of the tramways across the UK.
In the US, bus and oil companies took over tramways and replaced them with buses. This was a way to boost the profits of both groups.
Pressure for better public transport as an alternative to cars was very strong, especially in California, where pollution from motor vehicles was high.
The concept was tested in Gothenburg, Sweden, where street tramways were extended through new and established suburbs on high-speed tracks. Other cities in mainland Europe soon followed.
The first tram service in Melbourne was launched in 1885. From its founding till today, the Australian city has the largest tram network in the world, consisting of 160 miles (250 km).
The first electric vehicles were battery powered, but it was the development of a practical dynamo by Werner von Siemens in 1879 that provided the way ahead for electric traction. The first electric tramway was introduced in Berlin in 1881.
The result was the PCC car, which prevented the closure of many systems. The PCC arrived in Europe after WWII, and it still operates today.
The city with the largest fleet of trams is Prague, in the Czech Republic, with 882 trams. Other large fleets are found in Moscow, Budapest, and Warsaw.
The longest single tram line in the world is Belgian Coast Tram at 42 miles (68 km). It runs along the entire Belgian sea coast.
The UK wised up, too. Legislation in the 1960s provided the groundwork for progress towards a new era in public transportation. Developing plans for integrated transport systems and funding were put in place.
The Second World War accelerated the decline of tramways in the UK and France, but provided the opportunity for tramway reconstruction and reinvestment in Germany and Eastern Europe.
In North America, the President's Congress Committee of streetcar companies commissioned research and production of a new tram design, which would offer the comfort and performance of cars.
For safety reasons, electrified running rails were unsuitable for a street environment, and in the UK overhead wire was first used in 1885. Underground conduit was also an alternative.
The first tramlines appeared in the UK in 1883. They were the Portrush and Bushmills lines, the Giant's Causeway, and the Volks Railway.
The capital city of Tunis has had a tram system since 1985, with German-built articulated cars operating four surface lines.
Sources: (Train History) (The Light Rail Transit Association)
See also: These cities have the best public transportation in the world
Also known as streetcars and trolleys, trams have been transporting people around the world since the late 1800s. They reached their peak in the 1920s when there were over 3,000 in Europe, the Americas, and Australia. But then the personal car was introduced, becoming a serious competitor and causing the decline of this mode of transportation. Luckily for tram-lovers, they made a comeback in the 2000s, with hundreds of new systems being built.
So, want to learn more about the history of trams? Then check out the gallery!
Trams and their history around the world
Hop on board the history of trams!
LIFESTYLE Public transportation
Also known as streetcars and trolleys, trams have been transporting people around the world since the late 1800s. They reached their peak in the 1920s when there were over 3,000 in Europe, the Americas, and Australia. But then the personal car was introduced, becoming a serious competitor and causing the decline of this mode of transportation. Luckily for tram-lovers, they made a comeback in the 2000s, with hundreds of new systems being built.
So, want to learn more about the history of trams? Then check out the gallery!