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NHK was running a news item a day or two ago about the referendum on the Osaka-to plan being voted down by a slim margin. There was also some mention of the plan to privatize the subway. Will this still go ahead? It was said that the system has been running in the black for a few years now. If it were to be sold, would the sale price be enough to pay off existing construction (et cetera) debts? Or would there be other consideration to cover this? Or would the taxpayer be on the hook, while still paying fares, while the new owner makes bank? :(

Observed a few days ago on the Sakaisuji Line in Osaka- while looking out the front of a Hankyu 5300 series (used on run-through services), I noticed the driver was using an unusual driving technique, namely, braking in the usual manner to full stop, but upon stopping, leaving the brakes off, and upon starting, engaging the throttle/regulator without touching the brake handle. The 5300 series has the standard old style arrangement of regulator on the left, brake handle on the right. Normally, a driver always has his/her hand on the brake handle, and leaves the brakes engaged when stopped at a station. Upon starting, the brakes are released (handle fully to the left), and regulator applied. Anyway, never saw this before.