alt Hacker NewsIn London trains came in 30-40 years before electric trams. So trains were the driving force.
See the Underground for an example.
Might even be 70 years see the London-Greenwich railway for the first instance.
In London trains came in 30-40 years before electric trams. So trains were the driving force.
See the Underground for an example.
Might even be 70 years see the London-Greenwich railway for the first instance.
The early trains did not significantly change the situation, they were more useful for trade and long trips. They were not frequent enough for daily commutes for the majority of city residents.
London and Paris were real outliners, with the early adoption of steam-powered subways. Mostly because they had to due to their size, but it really was the tram that initially allowed the working-class city population to commute freely.
It's also interesting that it coincides with the significant boost in productivity, and also with general improvements to workers' rights.