Quote:
Originally Posted by SnyderBock
The obvious advantage would be the absence of on street emissions of toxic air pollution. This might help to stimulate a more pedestrian friendly environment and streetscape. Streetcars also tend to be more inviting to residents and tourists alike -- than buses.
The major disadvantages are the fact that they only operate on a guided railway, so routes can't be quickly shifted if needed (but buses can still be used to compliment streetcars in this way). The other disadvantage is the overhead cables -- the canopies CAN look rather bad, unless they spend some extra money in a fancy design.
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I'm not really sold on the pollution thing. That seems like a marginal thing that people not on this board would notice. They look cooler, but maybe its how buses are marketed. In Boston, the silverline is marketed as a full fledged "colored line" like the subway lines with frequent frequency and gets lots of use.