The demise of quasi-urban light rail and concurrent transition towards suburban development happened at a time when oil was cheap, abundant, with no end in sight. In fact, such a model RELIES on cheap oil in the absence of alternatives to oil-based transportation.
I think the increased demand on this arguably finite (if not dwindling) resource created by global "modernization" and population growth has placed the wisdom of the suburban, car-based model in question (to some). In this context, other options seem more reasonable to consider.

Like cycling