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IMO you need both. Trams for local transit, metros for faster mid-range transit, and finally urban rail for long(ish) range transit.

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I disagree about trams for local transit. A metro system is sufficient, the issue is the flat-rate pricing model of most public transit systems in the US. It prevents the casual short hop usage of public transit, needlessly subsidizing longer distance travel. Trams are just unreliable trains, with an inflexible route as compared to a bus. Notably, Tokyo only has 1 operating tram.

Have you been to Zürich? It is by far the best public transport system I’ve ever used, with Stockholm a distant second. It’s trams all the way down

0) trams are hardly unreliable

1) tram lines are routinely changed around

2) in Switzerland, there is no distinction between local and remote public transport. This has the advantage that you can use the regular trains for short hops. Zürich itself has 20+ railway stations.

Zürich has really opened my eyes for what a good tram network can do.

Few things beat a dedicated personal tram: https://youtu.be/zWDt_Rmu9MQ?t=89

Subway/Light Rail is fantastic for highly congested areas, even if you only need to move a few miles. There’s nothing like looking out of a light rail window moving peacefully to your destination and seeing stop and go highway traffic.

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