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There are many profitable subsections of public transit. The issue is the it’s a PUBLIC resource. They’re not run to maximize profit. They also run many lines w
by b_tterc_p 7y ago
There are many profitable subsections of public transit. The issue is the it’s a PUBLIC resource. They’re not run to maximize profit. They also run many lines which are not profitable. If a private company tried to steal the business of the profitable subsections it would put the non profitable ones at risk. Smart governments would outlaw such competition.
- notahacker 7y agoThey wouldn't even need to outlaw competition in most cases of profitable subsections of public transport, because a profitable commuter train into $busycity /= a potentially profitable service driving commuters in large numbers of small vehicles through heavy traffic to the same destination...
- bduerst 7y agoRight, but is Uber going to offer light-rail ridesharing now? Many of these profitable systems have fixed public infrastructure in place that contributes to that variable profitability.
- mr_tristan 7y agoRight, this feels like they inflated their TAM a whole lot. They are a "luxury option" already today, so ... I'm not sure what they're replacing. If they truly are gonna take on public transportation, I'm not sure how they could stop governments from shutting them out.