In today's lecture, we'll discuss the history of urban transportation. Initially, horse-drawn carriages dominated city streets in the 19th century. However, with the invention of the electric tram in the 1880s, cities began to shift towards more efficient public transit. By the 1920s, buses powered by internal combustion engines started to replace trams in many areas because they were cheaper to operate and more flexible in routing. Nevertheless, trams remained popular in some European cities due to their capacity and lower pollution. Today, many cities are reintroducing trams as part of sustainable transport plans, despite initial high infrastructure costs.
❓ According to the lecture, why did buses start to replace trams in the 1920s?
A. A. Buses were more comfortable for passengers.
B. B. Buses had lower operating costs and greater route flexibility.
C. C. Trams were too slow and unreliable.
D. D. The public preferred buses for environmental reasons.
✅ 正确答案
B. Buses had lower operating costs and greater route flexibility.