> but we all know trains and trams are the better tech

Great, but I'm actually in Nashville and I know there's about zero chance we get a (real) train, and that the train stops would definitely be no closer than the bus stop that's already inconvenient enough to not be worth it. The bus system used to (I think they still have it in one area) have a program where you could get free Uber/Lyft rides to/from bus stops, and cheaper autonomous rides could definitely make that more feasible to continue offering.

> oil protectionism

The Waymo vehicles I've been in were electric. If electric cars are "oil protectionism", then you can probably warp trains into it too (the bus certainly would be).