Wendover Production’s latest video on the history of passenger and freight railway service in the USA is interesting.
On the tracks freight wins over passenger service any day leading to frequent service disruptions, even though there are laws in place that give right of way to passenger trains. So much so that Amtrak’s long-distance service simply cannot provide a viable alternative to less sustainable modes of transport.
Short sightedness is inherent to the decision making process in private industry.
When talking about how freight companies (mis)use existing rail infrastructure, for example, delaying infrastructure upkeep as long as possible, leading to lower maximum speeds, ultimately resulting in delays that hurt passenger rail service much more than freight.
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