Its nothing to do with "the passengers prized the flexibility of the walk-on system" more to do with DfT» not able to fund the capacity enhancements needed
I wonder if passengers were asked whether they "prized the flexibility of the walk-on system" over the ability to travel in a safe environment where they were able to breathe and inhabit more than a postage stamp sized area of space rather than being crammed into unreliable cattle trucks, which they would prioritise?
In one of the wealthiest countries on the planet, with handsomely remunerated Industry Leaders, huge resources and workforces and sky high fares, surely it shouldn't be too much to ask to have both flexibility and safety and perhaps even a modicum of comfort?