As the global economy grapples with the twin challenges of economic contraction and diminishing fossil fuel energy availability, the role of public transportation systems, mainly trams and trains, has come into sharp focus. Long-considered sustainable alternatives to individual car ownership, trams and trains offer a lifeline for communities striving to reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to a world of dwindling resources.
Trams, with their fixed routes and efficient electric propulsion systems, represent a particularly promising mode of public transportation in an era of shrinking economies and reduced energy availability. Unlike cars, which rely heavily on fossil fuels and contribute significantly to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, trams offer a cleaner, greener alternative well-suited to the challenges of a carbon-constrained world.
One of the trams’ key advantages is their ability to efficiently transport large numbers of passengers along dedicated tracks, reducing congestion and cutting travel times in densely populated urban areas. By providing a reliable and affordable means of transportation, trams help alleviate the economic burden of car ownership for individuals and families struggling to make ends meet in a shrinking economy.
Moreover, trams have the potential to revitalize local economies by connecting residents to employment opportunities, educational institutions, and commercial centres. As businesses adapt to the realities of reduced consumer spending and energy constraints, the accessibility offered by tram networks can help attract customers and support economic activity in city centres and suburban areas.
Similarly, trains play a critical role in sustainable transportation systems, offering long-distance travel options that are both efficient and environmentally friendly. With their ability to move large volumes of passengers and freight over vast distances, trains represent a low-carbon alternative to air and road transportation, particularly for intercity and interstate travel.
In addition to their environmental benefits, trains offer economic advantages that are especially relevant during economic uncertainty. By reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and minimizing the costs associated with road maintenance and congestion, trains help to conserve financial resources and strengthen local economies. Moreover, investments in rail infrastructure create jobs and stimulate economic growth, providing a much-needed boost to communities grappling with high unemployment and stagnating wages.
However, the widespread adoption of trams and trains faces significant challenges, particularly in regions where car culture is deeply ingrained and public transportation infrastructure is lacking. In many parts of the world, decades of underinvestment in public transportation have left communities reliant on cars for mobility, perpetuating a cycle of dependence on fossil fuels and exacerbating the environmental and economic consequences of transportation emissions.
Moreover, the transition to tram and train-based transportation systems requires substantial upfront investments in infrastructure, technology, and workforce training, posing a barrier to implementation in cash-strapped municipalities and regions. Without adequate funding and political will, efforts to expand public transportation networks and promote modal shifts away from cars will likely falter, perpetuating the status quo of car-centric urban planning and unsustainable transportation practices.
A Sustainable Tram System in a Shrinking Economy: A Localism Perspective
In a future where the economy is permanently shrinking, our cities and towns will need to adapt to the limits of growth and the advantages of smaller, localized systems. Public transport, mainly trams or light railways, will remain a crucial part of urban life, offering a low-carbon, efficient means of transportation. But how do we fund and sustain such a system where large-scale industrial economies have given way to more informal, decentralized local systems? The key lies in shifting from top-down, growth-driven funding models to community-based, resource-frugal, and resilient approaches.
1. Local Ownership and Cooperative Management
In a shrinking economy, reliance on state or corporate funding for public infrastructure will become increasingly difficult. However, one of the core principles of localism is that communities take ownership of their resources and systems. A tram system can be managed as a community cooperative, where residents own and operate the service collectively. Shares in the system could be sold to locals, who would have a stake in its success. This fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that the system is operated with the community’s needs in mind rather than profit or political interests.
2. Barter and Resource Exchange for Maintenance
One of the critical challenges in maintaining public infrastructure in a shrinking economy is the lack of financial resources for upkeep. However, a localism-based society highly values informal and non-monetary exchange systems. Skilled tradespeople in the community—electricians, mechanics, welders—can contribute their time and skills in exchange for services, goods, or even transport credits. Barter systems and time banks could allow these professionals to receive value without relying on shrinking monetary income.
Furthermore, local manufacturing and repair cooperatives could supply parts and services for the tram system. In a localized economy, circular economy principles become paramount, with tram components being repaired, reused, or repurposed by local workshops, reducing dependency on external suppliers.
3. Energy Efficiency and Alternative Power Sources
In the future, with rising energy costs due to resource scarcity, the tram system will need to focus on sustainability and efficiency. Light rail systems are already more energy-efficient than buses or cars, but local communities can take this further by transitioning to renewable energy sources. Solar panels installed along tram routes, depots, and nearby buildings could power the system. Community energy projects, such as small-scale wind turbines or local bioenergy plants, can also provide additional energy inputs.
Other ways to reduce operating costs are energy-efficient driving practices, regenerative braking systems, and maintaining more miniature, less energy-intensive carriages. Integrating energy solutions into the community’s broader sustainability initiatives makes the tram system part of the more significant local effort to reduce resource consumption and environmental impact.
4. Citizen Participation and Voluntary Contributions
In a localized, shrinking economy, communities rely heavily on citizen participation. For the tram system, this can take the form of volunteer work. Community members can volunteer their time to assist with fare collection, station management, or even day-to-day maintenance tasks. They may receive discounted fares, community recognition, or other local benefits in exchange. This type of citizen participation deepens ties within the community and lowers labour costs for the tram system.
Crowdfunding or a pay-what-you-can model can also be implemented to help fund specific upgrades or expansions. While conventional public transport systems often depend on uniform ticket prices, a community-driven tram system might allow more flexibility. It might enable wealthier individuals to subsidize fares for those who are less able to pay, fostering solidarity.
5. Dynamic Scheduling and Flexible Services
The nature of demand in a shrinking economy is inherently more fluid and less predictable. A traditional fixed-schedule system may not suit the transportation needs of a smaller, more local population. Instead, the tram system can adopt a dynamic scheduling model that responds to real-time community demand. Residents can signal their transport needs using low-cost, community-based technology, allowing the system to adjust to actual usage rather than running empty trams.
Another option is a tram-on-demand system where smaller vehicles operate only when needed, reducing energy costs and wear on the infrastructure. This responsive model aligns well with the ethos of a localism-driven society, where systems must adapt to community rhythms rather than attempting to impose rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions.
6. Local Funding Mechanisms
Localism encourages the development of local currencies or complementary currencies that help keep resources within the community. A regional currency could be used to fund the tram system, where citizens pay fares or make investments in the system with this currency. Local businesses that benefit from the tram’s operation—such as shops, cafes, and markets—could also contribute through service contracts that ensure transport brings in customers, sustaining the local economy.
Another option is a land value tax (LVT) or community levy on properties near tram routes, based on the principle that proximity to public transport increases land values. These funds would be reinvested in the maintenance and operation of the tram system, ensuring a cycle of benefit between the tram and the local economy.
7. Decentralized Governance and Decision-Making
Lastly, the tram system should be governed by a decentralized, participatory model aligned with localism’s values. Decision-making should involve representatives from different neighborhoods, ensuring that all voices are heard in the system’s management. Regular assemblies or digital platforms could facilitate community input on routes, schedules, and system improvements.
This participatory governance ensures that the tram system evolves to meet the community’s changing needs while fostering a deeper connection between residents and the service they rely on.
Conclusion: Resilience Through Localism
Maintaining public services like a tram or light railway will require innovative, localized approaches in the future, as defined by economic contraction. By shifting away from centralized, growth-driven models toward cooperative ownership, resource exchange, and community-driven governance, a tram system can thrive despite limited financial resources. In a localism-driven society, a tram isn’t just a means of transport—it’s a vital thread in the social and economic fabric, reinforcing the resilience and self-sufficiency of the community it serves.
See also: Now that the economy is shrinking, do trams have a future?
