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It took several years for tram services to recover after the war. Crowding and power outages remained a problem. The tram fleet was gradually modernized beginning in the late 1940s. A new threat arose with the rapid spread of cars in the 1950s. With cars, buses and trams all squeezing into the narrow down-town area, traffic became congested. Trams were criticized as clumsy vehicles which had outlived their usefulness.

"In difficult weather and especially snowstorms, there is always a risk of overloaded electric motors and resulting traffic disturbances...

All conductors are therefore urged to prevent overloading during difficult snowstorms by reducing the maximum number of passengers by as much as 10 persons per tram. It is better for the public to walk for a day than to have to crowd into a few undamaged trams for a month."