According to a 2020 study, austerity increases the risk of default in situations of severe fiscal stress, but reduces the risk of default in situations of low fiscal stress.
Where there's an asphalt road, a tram can be put. Many places have a main road that's asphalted. Public transport doesn't mean "Build a stop in front of my house". If I can walk of bike to the tram, train, or bus station in under 30 minutes, it's accessible.
Also, in mountains there are gondolas. Trams are able to go up crazy inclinations too. Just go to Switzerland, Portugal, San Fransisco or other places with steep roads that have tramways.
Cars make sense because the public transport hasn't been built out. Trams could be used without the need to employ drivers until self-driving cars come around.
There's a lot that can be done if the will were there.
I don't have the sources right now, but nuclear reactor designs exist that output minimal weapons grade materials and some that output none at all. IIRC they are in use already, but I'd have to check what their names are.
Did I hear a rock and stone?