You're thinking of a common misinterpretation of the GM streetcar conspiracy. Everyone's heard of it, and it did happen, but there are two big misconceptions mo

You're thinking of a common misinterpretation of the GM streetcar conspiracy. Everyone's heard of it, and it did happen, but there are two big misconceptions most people have of it: Misconception 1: GM and their cohorts bought out and shut down all the streetcar lines because they wanted to destroy public transit and promote personal vehicles. Reality: GM and their cohorts wanted to promote buses as a replacement for streetcars, because GM and their cohorts were the largest suppliers of buses and bus parts in the country. They stood to get filthy stinking rich off the replacement of streetcars with buses. Misconception 2: Streetcar lines were doing just fine and dandy before GM came along. Reality: streetcar lines were failing, and GM was able to do what they did because the owners of streetcar lines were desperate to sell before the bottom falls out. And keep in mind that GM was successfully prosecuted for this, too (and they absolutely deserved it).