>>1207978I suppose running low capacity trains at lower frequencies is cheaper than running low capacity trains at higher frequencies.
However that exact same strategy is used for long distance intercity trains in China, and those trains are extremely crowded, even with the mandatory ID checks and the one person one ticket policy, which is supposedly meant to prevent scalping, which is a problem in stations with long wait times.
Speaking of which, you propose that the trains should increase in capacity to compensate for the lower frequency, but what should be done about station capacity? Chinese HSR stations are the size of airports, and they're already quite crowded. Conventional railway stations in China are even more crowded, not helped by the intense security checks straight at entrance of the station.
These security checks are already being carried out in metro stations, which will worsen station capacity in your proposed scenario.
I was at Beijing West station last year, and the queue for the entrance security stretched far beyond the actual station entrance, and that was a few hours after rush hour.
