Are you aware of the urban legend re General Motors' alleged plot to rip up all the small + large town RRs and fill em with GM buses?
Subsequent PhD theses n'such suggest that 'conspiracy' is likely a small exaggeration. But bonus deals for local politicos + "progress" BS for relelection - was an adequate de facto 'conspiracy'.
Now at massive expense (here) some light rail is coming back.. but the car obsession has become engrained in the DNA and 'logic' was never enough in any homo-sap decision.
Fight the trend! Unless you want to look like US and soon.. begin to act like US too [???] The numbers (cost) are vastly on your side IF.. Ozfolk don't all lust for a UAV in every hovel - thus will refuse to use efficient, fast public transport (?)
Ashton