My understanding is that trams are much more cost effective long-term than buses, because the rails last much much longer than asphalt or even concrete.
They also have other benefits:
Smoother, less bumpy ride
Bigger capacity than buses, with the possibility to add up to 5 cars
Don't have to wait at traffic lights (We can install sensors to detect a tram is coming and switch the light so that it can go ahead without waiting. That's technically doable for an BRT/SRB, but it's more complex and as you can see, they didn't do it for SRB Pie-IX...🙁)
Less noisy
Easier to electrify
Easier to automate (make them self-driving)
No tires means less pollution
Grass can be added between the 2 rails, making it more pleasant looking, absorbing heat and noise
I remember reading that city taxes should change from being based on the value of the building to only be based on the value of the land. This way it discourages only single-family homes.
