Yurakucho Line: 56,676/mi Chiyoda Line: 75,931/mi Hibiya Line: 85,230/mi Tozai Line: 69,197/mipic.twitter.com/1CLf0mtwPH
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...but by looking at many systems--profitable and subsidized--you can make some educated guesses. Fortunately I have a case study for this!
Let me introduce you to Osaka's newest subway line (and ongoing political scandal), the Imazatosuji Linepic.twitter.com/el9SUd4CbC
Osaka's subway is operated by the Municipal Government--nonetheless, it's very successful overall (28,785/mi) and up for privatization.pic.twitter.com/Dwt7XuYFtu
With one problem: the Imazatosuji Line, which cost much more to build than expected and has fallen far short of expected ridership.pic.twitter.com/V8ofGC1Rgs
8 years after its opening in 2006, daily ridership had finally reached 64,385...but it was supposed to hit 120,000 within the first year!pic.twitter.com/QqTHEfeQAW
So, the Imazatosuji Line's rider density is currently 8,701 per mile--too low! If it had hit its target, it would be 16,216 per mile...
...so, with that in mind, I think we can make a good guess where the break-even point is for a generic subway line: roughly 15,000 per mile
A subway line with higher passenger density than this should (all else being equal) be able to operate at a profit. If it can't...?
...time to start auditing!
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