Personally, I wonder if the best way to keep the system at a higher efficiency would be to have a public works departement which is allowed into bidding alongside private companies.
That's kinda what happens with commuter rail in the US. Many commuter rail systems might be owned by the transit agency but the agency subcontracts the operations to firms like Keolis. One of the common applicants for these operations bids is Amtrak, which is about as close to a "public option" as we can reasonable get.
That's kinda what happens with commuter rail in the US. Many commuter rail systems might be owned by the transit agency but the agency subcontracts the operations to firms like Keolis. One of the common applicants for these operations bids is Amtrak, which is about as close to a "public option" as we can reasonable get.