• corsicanguppy
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    11 months ago

    England privatised its rail system

    I have a dear friend from Docklands in London, who ran trains. We argue constantly about privatisation vs a government-run consolidated service like healthcare. He’s adamant that a mass transit system has to be run as a separate capitalist company, that it must be cash-positive, and that’s the only way to do it.

    He also believes the Tube is overpriced, cramped, sweaty, and a really low value for money that is propped up by people who can’t afford to drive into London nor park once they arrive, and have no other choice.

    • HardlightCereal@lemmy.world
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      11 months ago

      Fun fact: Japan has privatised rail. The reason is works in Japan is that the rail companies own the land around the stations and charge rent on it

      • Cobrachickenwing
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        11 months ago

        Most of the Japanese rail companies are subsidized to the hilt from mass bankruptcies and financial collapse.