The second round of the TIGER II grants were announced last week and there’s been an obvious bias towards streetcars. In fact, the government just gave the largest grant — $47.6 million — to build a streetcar line through Atlanta’s downtown tourism district. The project will create 930 construction jobs initially, but city officials estimate it will lead to more than 5,600 permanent jobs. So why do governments, transportation experts and riders prefer streetcars? Here are our ALT 8 reasons.

1. Most modern streetcars have a higher capacity than buses. According to Portland Streetcar Inc., “A streetcar attracts 30-50 percent more ridership than a comparable bus. It is thus plausible to assume an average 40 percent more ridership attracted to streetcar service. In other words, a comparable bus service would attract approximately 30 percent lower ridership.” Typically modern streetcars have a capacity of around 200 compared to 120 for a typical articulated bus. Which means you can move lots of riders on fewer vehicles — which leads to a more efficient use of fuel and fewer drivers to pay.

2. Streetcars attract more riders than buses. It’s largely a perception thing, but most riders prefer riding a train than the bus. A widespread disinterest or disapproval of buses usually makes people prefer the train. Also, streetcars are more comfortable than buses because they don’t jerk around as much. Steel wheels are much more pleasant to ride than tyre wheels.

3. Streetcars promote urban development. As we’ve said several times before, access to transit leads to business and economic growth. People don’t build businesses next to bus stops necessarily but trains have always lead to more real estate growth and denser communities.

4. Electric streetcars are quieter and more environmentally friendly than diesel buses. And while some buses are electric — like in San Francisco — those aren’t common at all.

5. Though streetcars require a higher initial investment in the long run they are more affordable than buses because they are easier to maintain and last longer than buses. Also, money is saved on reduced fuel costs. While buses must be replaced about every 10 years, streetcars typically last 40 years or more. Philadelphia’s SEPTA transit system is still using streetcar vehicles built in 1947.

6. Streetcars generally have a dedicated lane to themselves, so they go faster and are more likely to follow a schedule. The cars are also not dependent on traffic jams and street congestion. Also, streetcars usually stop at fewer stops making the ride more efficient for everyone.

7. Streetcars are much quieter than buses because they run on electricity. As a result, they are much less likely to cause disruptions in neighborhoods.

8. Streetcars are easier to navigate than buses. Bus routes are often confusing, but with streetcars the train tracks make for easy to follow routes.

BONUS POINT: Streetcars and more fun!

Realistically, of course, streetcars and buses compliment each other and should be used in unison to move people around.