I didn't actually come up with such a system. But I did figure out one thing. Transport, by its nature, is a natural monopoly. So far, it involves drawing maps of routes etc. You might as well have one airline that expands its coverage than two competing maps. You might as well have the one transport company, who've hit upon a cool map design, expanding into ferry, train etc than having three different people start three "competing" companies. A transport company is effectively a company for producing culture. They don't expect to be paid by other citizens, except in rare cases to extend their network. They expect to be paid by the government for producing culture, just as would happen if, for example, I started a company to make "history".
This is all internal, of course. Where transport starts to become a competitive industry is on the global scale. Think. There are probably only half a dozen nations with a current transport system. What if two or three of the people making those systems approached other countries, in exchange for trade credits (converted by their government into their national currency). It's quite conceivable that Lamifo Corporation could compete against OciaAir or Amokolia's airlines in an effort to do a transport map for other countries. Transport maps are essentially one off things - you do a map, its done - but then, we don't have any businesses that really keep selling stuff so why should that hold us down? Besides, if the transport company has a professional service (or at least has the sense to keep their transport lines in a separate layer to the map) there's the potential for further, smaller sales each time the nation expands - they clearly need the network extended to the new cities. Once they're a loyal customer, the transport company might be able to talk them into adding a ferry network, or a trainline, or even drawing up a map of major roads. The possibilities internally are limited. The possibilities as a major export industry are endless ...
So that's my current musings on transport. If those actually interested in transport would like some sort of simulationist system and can give me some suggestions, I might be able to come up with something. But more, I hope to inspire you to start export industries ... and I know Novatainia at least needs an airline ....
