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Great article! But I don't think that planners in other countries are unaware of how to make their rail systems better - they simply lack the political support
by rob74 5y ago
Great article! But I don't think that planners in other countries are unaware of how to make their rail systems better - they simply lack the political support and funding to be able to do it. Of course it make sense to add additional tracks to overloaded lines, improve the signaling, the maintenance etc. - but such projects are delayed for decades by political bickering, NIMBYism, funding difficulties etc. Plus it's much sexier for politicians to show off new high-speed train lines (never mind new freeways or airports) rather than such mundane rail improvements (which have a much higher "value for money" however).
- sanxiyn 5y agoI mean, the article's point is that Japan is no different. Basically, Commuting Five Directions Operation bankrupted JNR. JNR built many lines, but Tokyo land is expensive. I think Japan's mistake was funding it by debt. Yes it paid for itself, but it was too much debt for too long time. It should have been funded by direct investment from national budget.
- rob74 5y agoNever mind the financing, my point is that Japan/Tokyo had the political will to significantly improve their railways in 1965, at a time where most administrations in the western world had a 100% car-centric strategy. For example, if you look at what became of the equally ambitious expansion plans of the New York subway from the 1960s (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_for_Action https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_for_Action), it's a sad story indeed...