Gigi On Earth

Lately, I’ve noticed a shift in how people talk about streetcars (or trams, depending on where you’re from). There’s a growing sentiment in North America that they’re too slow, cause traffic issues when they break down, and that buses are the more practical choice. And while I have nothing against buses—in fact, I quite like them—I’m here to make a case for the humble streetcar.

Here’s my first hot take: streetcars aren’t slow—cars make them slow. Too often, streetcars are stuck behind turning vehicles, forced to stop when drivers weave around them, or held up by drivers speeding past while people are trying to board. It’s not the streetcar’s fault—it’s the car traffic around them that’s dragging them down.

When streetcars have dedicated lanes, like on Spadina or St. Clair in Toronto, it’s a totally different story. They glide along efficiently, without being boxed in by unpredictable traffic. Plus, fewer cars interfering means fewer breakdowns caused by collisions or abrupt stops.

Next up: let’s talk about stop spacing. In Toronto, streetcars stop a lot—sometimes every 500 metres. That’s great for accessibility, but not always for speed. I think we could take a page from subway systems and have streetcars stop only at major intersections. Buses, being more flexible, could handle the more frequent stops, especially with options like express routes. That way, each mode—bus, streetcar, subway—has its own role in a well-connected system. Streetcars move more people per vehicle, so let them stretch out a bit and keep things moving.

And finally—there’s something charming about streetcars, isn’t there? Maybe it’s nostalgia talking, but I find them a beautiful, even magical, way to experience the city. There’s a sense of rhythm and elegance to them that buses just can’t quite replicate.

So no shade to buses, but let’s not be so quick to give up on the streetcar. With the right infrastructure and smarter planning, they can still be a fast, reliable, and delightful part of our urban transit mix.