Taken for a Ride

Once upon a time, American cities had streetcar lines which served urban districts and connected smaller towns to the central cities. How these efficient, clean, and pleasant modes of mass transit came to be replaced by smelly diesel buses, and how the hearts of America's cities were ripped out by interstate highways in order to assure the primacy of the automobile makes a compelling story. Investigative reporting and historical research of the highest caliber show how auto industry giants and highway construction firms conspired to replace the trolley lines that had served the cities well from the first days of electrification. Yet, while many metro areas have successfully returned to light rail streetcars/subways, the tape ends with the disheartening fact that 90% of today's highway research money is being spent on developing "guided" highways for traffic to move along at 60 m.p.h. bumper to bumper, maximizing the carrying capacity of the interstates, rather than investing in clean, efficient mass transit alternatives. Any American who has sat sweating in a traffic jam will find this film a real eye-opener. Even if you looooove your car, this tape should be required viewing as Americans ponder what horrendous traffic snarls lie ahead of us in the 21st century. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: I, J, H, C, P. (R. Reagan)