Also keep in mind that many rail transit systems were completely worn out in 1945 from wartime transportation needs; Their private owners could not borrow money at reasonable rates to renew them. Fares were set on the basis of service at cost by politicians. Raising fares was political suicide.

In 1900 a typical working man spent 10% of his salary on transportation to and from work. Privately owned streetcar companies were very profitable. Their stock was the bluest of blue chip investments. Do the math and figure out what the bus fare would be today if the round trip cost 10% of your daily salary.

Also keep in mind how city travel patterns have changed. Today how many people go to the old downtown for shopping or for entertainment? They go to a mall located far away from the old downtown. In many cities the old downtown is now a ghost town. Department stores and movie theaters are long gone. Relocating streetcar tracks for different travel patterns was impossible financially.

Also starting in 1945 bus transportation was thought to be a modern improvement over old fashioned streetcars. A bus pulled over to the curb to pick up passengers. They didn't have to stand in the middle of traffic to get on board. So politicians made changes such as creating one-way streets to favor motor vehicle transportation.