Not only useful but a thoroughly demonstrated technology. Also, it occurs to me that the extra labor required to build the overhead rails might help to mitigate the huge unemployment problem that PO will sooner or later trigger. We can never do only one thing.

Also, the electric trolly buses I've ridden on in San Francisco seem nice and quiet and of course free of fumes . . . and reliable.

Would you like to run for president on the Electric Party ticket?

"Let's electrify transportation."

"Electrify now!"

"If elected, we shall electrify you within four years."

In Vancouver, BC they've been running Electrolic trolley buses for 50 years.  They run throughout the city.

While they are getting old, and are due for an upgrade before the Olympics in 2010, they definitely serve their purpose well, and who knows how much smog and money (due to very low electricity rates in BC) they've saved the tax payer over that period.

My greatgrandfather was a Victoria BC streetcar conductor!