The rationale behind it is the idea that governments should guarantee basic service in public transport to deprived customer groups despite the fact that it is economically irrational.
The country's flagship high-speed line, the Tokaido Shinkansen, has operated for almost half a century without a single derailment or collision, and in 2007, its average departure delay was a mere 18 seconds along its 320-mile route.
[6] A number of innovations were adopted by private bus companies in the pursuit of profits with the most important being the launch of minibuses that increased service levels.
Today, a single European airline market exists leading to improved productivity and decreased ticket prices.
Klein Daniel B., Moore Adrian T., Reja Binyam, (1997), Curb Rights: A Foundation for Free Enterprise in Urban Transit, Brookings Institution.