Not particularly interested in "money like crazy" LOL. Metro's a bit hard to work with (at least for me) but I am finally getting it. Thanks coteyr for the bus suggestion. Seems like, IRL, some "buses services" are mainly a city "expense" rather than a profit in order to help the less fortunate. Not a criticism, just an observation. Now as to the game, I want to go see if I can make my buses turn a buck or three!
This isn't really true. Even in the U.S, Some cities have privatized bus companies that are profitable. In Eu countries where public transit is easier (because of how their towns and areas are laid out, and other social differences) many transit companies are profitable.
The problem in the real world is that Cities want control over bus lines for various reasons and always implement "controls" to make sure they get it. Not saying it's bad, but, for example, they way bus lines to provide a certain rate so people who can't afford cars can afford to ride the bus. Or they want bus lines to go to un-populated parts of town to help boost population. They may even want bus/tram/trolley lines for cosmetic reasons.
If a bus company were to be totally left alone they could be come profitable quite easily, but people preserve bus transport as a "government" thing and in truth a "basic right" so there is almost a government body interfering on some level. Usually in the form of grants and subsidies. This keeps the bus lines un-profitable by keeping ticket prices down, or by forcing lines to go where there not profitable.
If you want a CIM2 example, Imagine that your bus line to a quite empty neighborhood was not profitable, was loosing money. Then image that someone paid you more money then it was loosing to keep the line in place. You would have no incentive to remove that unprofitable line.
The truth is that if a bus line was forced to make money on it's own without gov. interference, the lines would be far fewer and perhaps more specialized, but if you could ride one you would. However people don't want that, they want to ride the bus for far less then it costs to actually ride. just imagen if buses charged by the mile like taxies to.
http://www.tampaairport.com/ground_transportation/shared_services.asp
It's an awesome service to take, but you pay the price.
