Britain, Europe and Japan Reduce Subsidies to Rail
While US intercity rail subsidy routinely claim that all passenger rail systems require subsidies, that is no longer
true. Britain is privatizing its intercity rail system under a competitive tendering system (franchising). Britiah
Rail has been broken into 25 operating companies, which are being franchised to private operators. The first
six franchises will provide improved service while reducing government subsidies by 63 percent over 7 years.
European rail systems are becoming more commercial as significant efforts are being made to reduce
subsidies (as a part of official European Union policy). Japan has privatized its passenger railways. The six
operating companies are profitable. New Zealand privatized its rail system, and passenger operations are
profitable. Privatized New Zealand Rail has started to restore passenger services that had been cancelled
when New Zealand Rail was government owned.
TOP
The Sunday Times on Autos & Cities
(Editorial: "Driving on Empty," 25 August 1997, The Sunday Times, London)
... The two-car family is an expression, not of the failings of public transport as Mr. Prescott (Environment
Minister) suggested last week, but of rising incomes and a growing number of married women in the
workplace. As for young people, who appear more concerned about the environment than earlier
generations, this does not appear to extend to revulsion towards the motor car. ...
TOP
| NAVIGATION & PUBLICATION SERIES |
