As far as ski Lift-type transports/rides, it may have been insurance reasons, but i find that hard to believe. Your average ski resort doesn't pull in half the money a theme park does, yet they still run lifts and make a profit.
Maintenance could be a problem, but again, ski lifts make it through the worst weather imaginable and hardly ever break down.
In Ohio, the ski lifts don't even have lap bars to hold you in. You just sit there. When they hit the panic break, it always feels like you're gonna get tossed right out of it.
I like trains. i remember the one GL had. It wasn't the greatest, but it was still fun.
IMO, best train out there is at DollyWood.