In the mean time, public transportation the SNCF railway company is accumulating debts at an amount that would raise brows in a private company.

Though I don't have any stance on the private vs public for utilities/healthcare and the like:

- public companies are more likely to squander resources due to a backer that cannot default.

- private companies are more likely to price gouge captive consumers due to the immense barriers to entry and very few alternatives if any.

Pick your poison