>>2059021I don't think train drivers are that much of the operating cost of a commuter train tbqhwymf. Plus you now have the one-time expense for the automatic system plus regular upkeep. Running costs are likely cheaper, but I don't know if it makes all that much of a difference.
How high was and is frequency anyway? For a commuter line of this length it seems like a frequency if 30 min off peak would be fine, maybe with some extra services during peak times.
>>2059018I guess that's an acceptable time, but they could have express services with fewer stops to shave a few minutes off.
However I still think that line is much too long for trains with metro-style bench seats. This is becoming a terrible habit all over the world to have lots of standing room for high capacity on paper without taking into consideration that nobody wants to stand for 40 or 30 or even 20 minutes.