We can't fit any more trains in though, at least in some parts of the network. Nor can we lengthen them.
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Replying to @uncriticalsimon
I find that a bit hard to believe...Odakyu managed to turn a double-track line into a quad-track line by turning it into two double-track tunnels, one above the other, increasing frequency from 24 to 36 trains per hour.
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Replying to @380kmh @uncriticalsimon
You'd be amazed what you can do with very little space, if the will is there.
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Replying to @380kmh
We're talking about Britain though, the land of underinvestment.
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Replying to @uncriticalsimon
Yes! Notice that in the land of adequate investment, surge pricing isn't necessary--makes me think surge pricing is a gimmick to paper over larger issues by gouging riders who can't be flexible with their travel times!
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Replying to @380kmh
Probably hard to justify Japan's scale of investment though given how much longer the lines would have to be to serve the same number of people.
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Replying to @uncriticalsimon
Didn't you JUST say you can't fit any more trains or lengthen them in some parts of the network? Japan doesn't have some mystical fixed level of investment: they invest where there is need for expansion, that's all. UK should do the same: invest where capacity is falling short!
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Replying to @380kmh
But who's going to pay for it? Japan has the density and public transport use to pay for it from fares. The UK does not.
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Replying to @uncriticalsimon
The UK has a near 10% passenger rail mode share even when you exclude subways and trams; over 3 billion passengers carried on intercity and Tube lines in 2015... ...I think misallocation of revenue might be a bigger issue than lack of revenue.
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Replying to @380kmh @uncriticalsimon
Moreover, Odakyu's capacity improvement project was partially funded by government loans. Odakyu, as a profitable company, is able to REPAY those loans with its reliable fare revenue, and to cover all of its regular operations--but the state still steps in where necessary.
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One thing is for sure, though: it will be very difficult for UK railways to ever be profitable if they do everything in their power to prevent high use of railways at times of high demand!
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