• user75736572@sh.itjust.works
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      11 months ago

      Yeah but for it to be free they’d have to raise taxes so it’s better to just privatise them which would lower taxes and provide a better service

      • CurlyMoustache@lemmy.world
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        11 months ago

        They did it where I live. The result is it on average a bit more expensive. Long trips (6-7 hours-ish) is controlled by the state. Prices are about the same as when the railway was owned by the people. But the shorter trips are under the rules of capitalism, and therefore the prices have gone up.

        If you only travel from Trondheim to Oslo, you pay the same as before. If you travel only 1-3 stops, or under two hours in total, the prices have increased alot. If you live outside of Oslo, but work in Oslo, your daily expenses have gone up.

        Before I could catch a train at a very, very low price and take my bike with me to explore. Now it is almost impossible because it is expensive, and the private companies that runs the different routes do not want you to take anything large with you.

        And don’t get me started on trying to navigate between all the companies that run the different routes. It is a cluster fuck compared to when it was all one company owned by us, the citizens of Norway

        • user75736572@sh.itjust.works
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          11 months ago

          “by the people” you mean the government they’re not on your side. Also you were paying for it inderectly through the ridiculous taxes without even realising it. And the situation would be better if it wasn’t an overegulated industry

            • user75736572@sh.itjust.works
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              11 months ago

              If it was voluntary and a flat amount it would be fair, you might like it because it benefits you but it’s completely ridiculous for a billionaire who doesn’t event want to use these insufficient services

              • CurlyMoustache@lemmy.world
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                11 months ago

                Billionaires have zero income, and they find other ways to not pay taxes. Some even “move” to Switzerland, and only stay there enough to not be forcibly moved out of Switzerland and back here.

                They still use our services, though. Roads, trains, ferriesz airports etc

                • user75736572@sh.itjust.works
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                  11 months ago

                  And it should be that way but some people want to change that because they’re selfish. Most billionaires still pay around 1% tax which is way more money than your average person paying 50%. Also it depends on the place but tax heavens like the islands in the Caribbean don’t really have public infrastructure ( since ther’s no tax) so it’s perfectly fair. And if they visit or do business in a high tax country they’re still paying sales tax or inderectly contributing to income tax through creating more/better job opportunities