[nox101]

Japan's transit is private and semi-competitive. (there are 10+ train companies in Tokyo), (4+ in Kyoto), I haven't counted Osaka's

It works because the companies own land and facilities around every station. Grocery stores, office buildings, shopping centers (stores at many stations), apartments, etc. This creates a virtuous cycle where the more riders the more people use their other services and visa-versa.

As for semi-competitive, at least in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto there are enough lines that you often have a choice. For example Tokyo (area) to Yokohama there's JR, Keikyu, Tokyu, (3 different companies). They have slightly different routes so if you're closer to one you might take one or the other but they do advertise trying to get you ride their's over the other's. To Hanada there's Keikyu and the Tokyo Monorail (it's own company). To Narita there's the Narita Express (JR) and Keisei (a different company) as well as local lines from both. Same in Kyoto. You can go to Kyoto to Nara via JR or via Keihan. You can go Kyoto to Osaka via JR or Hanshin.

So, if one company offers easy pay methods and another doesn't it quickly gets the reputation and "a crappy old line" (who wants to live there, open an office there, etc...)

[nox101]

I'd love to know what incentives make this stuff work in countries with pure "public" transportation. There the obvious "it's the right thing to do" but this American (me) sees that incentives work and I can't see what incentives keep politicians, which are human just like everyone else, from syphoning funds from public transportation to other things, not able to get a large enough budget to upgrade since they need all the other politicians in, not get influenced by industry trying to sell cars, etc..