S(ubstack)-Bahn

deep dives into trains, transit and politics (usually outside US)

The hottest Substack posts of S(ubstack)-Bahn

And their main takeaways
220 implied HN points 29 Feb 24
  1. The privatization and dissolution of Japanese National Railways (JNR) was driven by political dynamics and a push for neoliberal reforms by key figures like Yasuhiro Nakasone.
  2. The media played a significant role in shaping public opinion and supporting the privatization of JNR, contributing to its downfall.
  3. Labor unions ultimately surrendered and supported JNR privatization and division, leading to the dissolution of the iconic railway agency by April 1, 1987.
160 implied HN points 09 Mar 24
  1. Japan's national public railway labor unions faced a significant decline from their powerful past, with membership dropping drastically over the years.
  2. The labor unions within Japan's national railways held significant influence and power in the past, shaping the fate of the railways through radical left-wing politics and strikes.
  3. The privatization of Japan's national railways in the 1980s marked the end for the powerful labor unions, leading to mass layoffs, legal battles, and the dissolution of the unions.
341 implied HN points 22 Sep 23
  1. Kyiv Metro managed to run high frequency trains during wartime, which was a challenge for other systems.
  2. The success of Kyiv Metro can be attributed to infrastructural choices, like station typology, and organizational practices, like a Soviet-era philosophy of train throughput.
  3. Kyiv Metro's ability to operate effectively and maintain high frequencies is also due to having a surplus of labor, contributing to its resilience.
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341 implied HN points 08 Apr 23
  1. Metros around the world are increasingly adopting new security measures like metal detectors and facial recognition technology.
  2. Developed countries in North America and Europe have not yet embraced these security technologies in their Metro systems.
  3. The use of National Guard or military personnel in Metro systems has sparked controversy and raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties.