Freer is better on the railways

From CroziervisionWiki

Author: Patrick Crozier

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I think freer is better on the railways because:

• that's what I observe in other walks of life so I assume it is true in this one
• it's what I observe. Take these comparisons and examples:
  • The British system before and after Grouping
  • The British system before and after nationalisation
  • The pre-1914 British system v all others (except the US)
  • The Japanese system before and after privatisation
  • Japanese private railways v Japanese state railways
  • The experience in the US

Counters

What about the Swiss? Their system is state-run and that seems to work pretty well.

People certainly seem to think so. I have heard lots of good reports. Why the Swiss system should be so good, I do not know. It may be because Switzerland is largely a free market economy and the disciplines from that somehow transmit themselves to the railway. Whatever the case may be it is still something of an exception and I am far from sure about the financial situation.

What about British rail privatisation?

I agree it failed. But I don't agree that it made the industry freer.

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