I grew up in Cincinnati. You are correct, however traffic is bad enough now that a subway or light rail would make a big difference. Unfortunately it is unlikely the voters would approve a tax increase to support that.
The city managed to complete a street car after ten years, but it faced opposition from the mayor, the governor, and federal congressman. The congressman in question even pushed a law that would prohibit any federal funding from going to the operation of the project. How fucked up is that? A congressman who prevents federal funding from flowing into their district.
On a political level: yes.
The political opposition to the project had nothing to do with preferring a technically superior form of public transportation. Instead, it was opposition to public transportation in general.