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National City Lines: One of the most controversial aspects of the decline involves National City Lines, a company backed by major automotive and oil interests, including General Motors, Firestone Tire, and Standard Oil. National City Lines bought and dismantled many streetcar systems across the U.S., including those in Los Angeles, replacing them with bus routes. This move, often referred to as the "Great American Streetcar Scandal," was later subject to antitrust lawsuits and is seen by many as a deliberate effort to eliminate competition against the automotive industry.​

Pacific Electric Railway (Red Cars): Founded by Henry Huntington in 1901, the Pacific Electric Railway was the largest electric railway system in the world by the 1920s. It connected Los Angeles with surrounding cities and suburbs, significantly shaping the region's development.