[iso1210]

You're assuming the direct profit is the benefit, and ignore all externalities.

Do city streets make a profit? How about sewers?

The value of those resources is immeasurable - they enable trillions of dollars of economic benefit in the US alone.

[bombcar]

No, I'm saying it's hard for people to see the externalities and so they're inclined to ignore them. And in the US at least, sewers are "farebox positive".

Instead of trying to nail on rail to cities it should be part of comprehensive travel planning that includes roads, etc. But selling it alone gets things like the California High Speed rail which hasn't sped anywhere, and dampens further similar projects.

[closeparen]

Yes, the parcels along those streets pay property tax. Municipalities that supply infrastructure to vacant or low-value used are in trouble.