The Railroad Passenger Problem: American and British Experiences as Bases for a New Model

This article examines the character of the rail passenger problem, identifies the American and British governments’ responses and proposes a hybrid model of a rail passenger service organization based on several intrinsic characteristics of these existing systems. The article implies that the profit standard inadequately measures the success of a public utility, and suggests the adoption of an eclectic standard that measures enterprise success in terms of economic viability, response to public need, and quality of service rendered. The proposed model involves the rediscovery, application, and combination of two organizational concepts: the public corporation and the interstate compact.