> Or is it subsidized by the state? "subsidized", yes, but like any other investment the idea is that it will create positive economic value across the whole

> Or is it subsidized by the state? "subsidized", yes, but like any other investment the idea is that it will create positive economic value across the whole country and across a long time horizon, in a way that the tickets cannot recapture (for example, every person on the train is one less person on the road -- less cars is a benefit for the other drivers and reduces road wear/maintenance cost and reduces accidents/health-care costs). Thus perfect for a government project. Create vast value and the recapture mechanism is taxes. Luxembourg went to totally free public transportation. Bus, train, light rail. Total game-changer. More countries should do this.