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smug Swiss noises
(For context, we’re number 2 worldwide, after Japan)
Having ridden both, they’re both great and somewhat confusing!
Swiss trains are great! Super punctual and frequent, but they are kinda slow! Japan has 300km/h trains! Imagine being able to go from Lausanne to Zurich in less than an hour!
Still, swiss trains are the best trains I’ve ridden (never been to Japan).
I think it’s great (I live in Japan), but I do worry about operations and maintenance after. Allegedly, overtime and burnout are ridiculous at some Japanese train companies and the rules are super, super strict; I don’t think that would fly in other countries. The maintenance and staff are what keep things safe and efficient here. I have a feeling costs would be more in other countries both for paying overtime and more workers as well as keeping talent that actually care and are diligent.
Edit: to be clear, I don’t think overtime and such to that level should be required; people should have a good work-life balance and wages.
Definitely the cultural differences in Japan make some things work there that won’t elsewhere. A push for more autonomous trains would help the world over but that doesn’t help with safety and maintenance. Public transit is expensive (not that a private car based system is any cheaper) and it’ll only work in places where they are willing to pay.
Let’s specify and make sure to call out “but not in the US because their rail is owned by oligopolists who have 19th century tech and great real estate and will be damned if they let anything improve an iota because our air travel between the DHS and Boeing is such a success.”