Ask HN: What are you reading right now?
3 pointsby ianlee7 comments
"Some 50 major properties across Hong Kong are owned, developed or managed by MTR,including two of the city's tallest skyscrapers."
Companies like Sun Hung Kai, Cheung Kong, Henderson, New World etc are getting ridiculously rich off soaring property prices while the lower/middle classes suffer in overpriced, tiny cramped living spaces.
Perhaps the government can use MTR as an opportunity to create affordable housing - maximize welfare beyond a cheap public transportation system. "MTR trains boast a 99.9% on-time arrival rate. Fares are notoriously cheap ($.50 to $3)"
Moreover, a lot of systems that maximize public welfare are often monopolized and subsidized by the government. Do you think having myriad companies running various train tracks in a city would be beneficial? Or would one unified system make more sense? I think the evidence points to an unmistakable answer.
They figure it's a nice addition to the customer experience as it differentiates themselves away from the competitors so much.