They are there to provide crosstown service on streets and ultra-local service on avenues. Also, there are buses that come in from the outer boroughs.

Makes sense. I think capital improvements for utilities are usually paid for through user fees as opposed to a new levy.

It could be argued that a toll would be charged for the congestion motorists cause (assuming the rate changes with demand), whereas the gas tax pays for the maintenance of road infrastructure (or some of it). re: development charges, new developments should be required to bear the full cost...

Hi, I think the first example you've described would be called LRT running in ROW B whereas it would be more apt to describe LRT running in ROW C (i.e. mixed traffic) as simply 'streetcars'. A hydro corridor would probably be considered ROW A, assuming there are automatic barriers at road...