This is possible because trams have Green Wave Traffic Light Priority which cannot generally be applied to buses which consequently are always stuck in traffic:
See: green-wave traffic light pre-emption cannot readily be done for buses
Edinburgh Trams’ “£10m annual loss”: what it actually means — and why the system isn’t going bust (and is still being extended) Bottom line The tram is being extended because the economic case is positive (BCR ~1.4), the Newhaven link is performing, and the network supports growth, regeneration and decarbonisation objectives that aren’t captured […]
Buses, Roads and Trams: A Comparative Assessment of Economic Value “Trams are often criticised for not making a profit, yet roads also operate at a loss—and, when judged through the same economic lens, roads consistently perform worse. On equal terms, trams prove superior. While buses are essential for integration within city tram networks, they do […]
U.S. Streetcar Systems – GWTP Status & Success Overview 🚦 What is GWTP? Green Wave Traffic Light Preemption (GWTP) is a dynamic traffic signal system that gives full signal priority to trams or streetcars, allowing them to move through intersections without stopping. Unlike basic Transit Signal Priority (TSP), GWTP synchronizes lights ahead of the tram […]