Exactly. In fact, I'd say that looking at the existing evidence successful rail deployments are entirely uncorrelated with regulatory action. This is just a whipping post for the libertarian nutjobs, and the only notable thing is that it's one that aligns them in goal with the pinko commie rail boosters.

Clearly the determining factor isn't regulation, it's subsidy. Countries that pay for fancy rail systems out of public funds ... have them.