So, how about the other three? Kyushu, Shikoku, Hokkaido? Of the three, Kyushu is doing best, Hokkaido worst.
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...the existing private railways in Takamatsu and Matsuyama seem to be in good shape.
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This suggests that privatization of gov lines in Shikoku was a bit of a moot point, since the most viable markets were already accounted for
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Which brings me to my conclusion & expectations for the future of rail travel.
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Rail networks are based around specific cities. Rural lines are most viable as part of an urban hinterland (= close, but too far to commute)
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High speed rail dramatically extends range of a city's hinterland, putting rural lines much "closer" to the city which drives the network.
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The future of rail travel = conventional urban rail + high speed lines to other cities/hinterland + autonomous cars solving last mile
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The future of rail = further development of station-as-economic-hub. AVs will use stations as natural hubs/waiting areas.
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