This is an unfortunately common, but incredibly naive and overly simplistic conception of what "private v. public" means in the context of utilities and similar

This is an unfortunately common, but incredibly naive and overly simplistic conception of what "private v. public" means in the context of utilities and similar services, and as someone who has worked in this area I wish I could do even more to dispel it. We can do anecdata all day; my city owned electricity is great. But more to the point, the line between "public" and "private" in a lot of these cases is rather thin; given the heavy amount of outsourcing that occurs regardless. The major difference is this, and only this: If you call the thing public, you get a better view and say of how the proverbial sausage is made. Due to a naive public this ends up cutting both ways. When it works well, you see it. When it doesn't work well, you still see it and other parties take advantage of it based on their own interests. I assure you, you will find no non-anecdotal relationship between quality of service and public/private status.