In Asia rail companies are also real estate investors. They invest in property around the stations and capture a lot more of the value that a rail line brings to the neighbourhood. I believe America had a similar thing with rail towns.
Where I am from in Europe, the rise in property value thanks to rail lines is captured by lucky property owners. That is why as a free market guy I support subsidising rail and other public transport with taxes, if we don't have the Asian system.
>Where I am from in Europe, the rise in property value thanks to rail lines is captured by lucky property owners.
Sure, "lucky". Lucky as in, I'm well connected and I hear in advance from the politicians where the transit lines will be so I make sure to buy properties/land in those areas, so later I turn out to be really lucky when the government projects just happen to cross over my private land/property.
Funny how that kind of luck only turns out to favor the already wealthy and connected, 100% of the time, and never the poor. How do you call that type of luck?
Where I am from in Europe, the rise in property value thanks to rail lines is captured by lucky property owners. That is why as a free market guy I support subsidising rail and other public transport with taxes, if we don't have the Asian system.