[TakeMeToTheRiver]

[ QUOTE ]
Why can't we have private subway lines. Half Tokyo subway lines are private. And I think the JR lines are private too now. They have the best train system in the world, why can't we follow suit.

[/ QUOTE ]

I am not sure what you are refering to with "JR lines"?

Anyway, we cannot add new private subway lines and even if the MTA was to sell certain lines, the new private company would have a monopoly on the lines sold -- so the problems complained of would not be solved. I don't know if there is anyway to bring competition to predominantly-commuter mass transit system.