How we got here

[.... callchet ....]

Read this http://environment.about.com/od/fossilfuels/a/streetcars.htm

[OKIsItJustMe]

1. Don't fool yourself. There's much more to the story.

Americans' love of automobiles is just one factor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_conservation

As just one example, consider public transportation in Manhattan. The MTA carries a tremendous number of passengers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Subway#Capacity_constraints

…
Several subway lines have reached their operational limits in terms of train frequency and passengers, according to data released by the Transit Authority. All but one of the "A" Division Lines, and the E and L lines are at capacity; crowding on the Lexington Avenue trains exceeds design limits. …

Does mass transit really save a lot of energy? (How much?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City_Subway

…

According to the United States Department of Energy, energy expenditure on the New York City Subway rail service was 3492 BTU/passenger mile (2289 kJ/passenger km) in 1995. This compares to 3702 BTU/passenger mile (2427 kJ/passenger km) for automobile travel. …

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/facts/favorites/fcvt_fotw67.html

BTU per Passenger Mile for U.S. Transit in 1995

Don't get me wrong here. I'm not saying we should scrap mass transit in favor of more cars. I'm just saying it's a mistake to blame all of our problems on the "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_streetcar_conspiracy">Great American streetcar scandal."