chatelot16 wrote:the train could be good if it was used well!
lighter gear is needed for small lines! with more economical equipment there could be more frequent passage, and small lines could become useful again ... whereas with 2 passage per day it is useless
It is under development in France, with the Tram-train:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tram-train
the management of the sncf is done as in 1850 with unchanging program without taking into account the real frequentation ... whereas with the current means we could adapt the number of wagon and even increase the number of train according to the passenger who arrive
SNCF does what it can (it's crazy I come to defend SNCF!), It only adapts to economic and societal choices.
The financing of the rail is not linked only to the sale of tickets which represents only 50% of the total cost, there are also the regions, and the State.
Huge sums have been swallowed up in the TGV (the LGV Marseille / Nice is 15 billion euros) at the expense of many secondary lines.
However the fault does not rest only on our governors, the principle 1 person / 1bagnole to its effects.