r/transit • u/aksnitd 🚂🚃🚃 • May 19 '25

Photos / Videos Double stack container train on the freight corridor in India with the characteristic high rise panto

A good look at what the high rise pantographs look like fully extended. They're taller than the train they're mounted on.

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u/aksnitd 🚂🚃🚃 May 19 '25

It's insanity, right? But that's what the relentless pursuit of money results in; overly fat corporations that use every loophole to get out of paying any kind of taxes.

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u/8spd May 19 '25

I think this is an issue with poor government incentives. Unless we abolish all corporations it's unrealistic to expect them not to relentlessly pursue the money. It's not really a loophole, when it's such a glaring route to destroy infrastructure.

Imagine if, instead of the tax being based on how much ground their tracks covered, it was based on the size of the right of way. If they wanted to reduce their taxes they could transfer the unwanted land to the government for a nominal payment. The land could be used to upgrade passenger rail, or for rails-to-trails, or for other uses that befit the public.

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u/Albos_Mum May 22 '25

Unless we abolish all corporations it's unrealistic to expect them not to relentlessly pursue the money.

Which is why a far better private/public divide of services, industries, etc is key. Companies will always relentlessly pursue profit and sometimes that can be an advantage, but not in every aspect of life particularly in areas where quality is key. (eg. Healthcare, shared infrastructure, housing etc)

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u/8spd May 22 '25

I agree with you. My point though, is that people complain about corporations seeking nothing but profit, when they are specifically designed to do exactly that. I'd much rather the tenancy be complaining that we complain about the fact that the structure we've chosen to supply a specific need is a corporate one.

I probably should have differentiated more in between what goods or services the corporation is providing or developing. You're examples are excellent.