I refer to H.K.C. Chan's letter concerning the Western Corridor Railway development and his mention of Japanese railways (South China Morning Post, August 13). Although I won't deny the cleanliness and good time keeping of Japanese railways I would dispute Mr Chan's claim that they are the world's most efficient. Mr Chan forgets to mention the massive government subsidies that these railways receive, something he as a taxpayer should bear in mind. Why look to Japan when our own KCR and MTR corporations run efficient, clean and profitable services? I don't deny the high capital costs of the proposed Western Corridor Railway, but the track record (pardon the pun) of the above two corporations is second to none. NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
