A bit off-topic, but regarding the reliability of trams: In Switzerland, we have them in basically every city with a population larger than about 50‘000 (just a guesstimate). Maybe it helps that they have much more experience here. I can only remember a single day in the past 10 years when the trams were delayed in my city because everyone was surprised by the early snow and there were no plows ready. But it was the same for cars, busses and cabs.