ghost trains are to do with the procedure for closing a line or station you have to make a case and show what alternative ways people can complete the same journeys often requiring a permenant replacement service like a taxi on demand for the journey [look up newhaven marine stationSome aspects of it already are. Bit like bus companies - not making enough money. Nationalise and services that can collect more money from usage and that can be used to prop up the ones that don't. I suppose the same could be organised if rail is run by different companies.
Around here an unused platform, tracks and unused stations are being reinstated. Improves local transport and probably influences longer. Levelling up money maybe.
Then comes ghost stations - may relate to future house building. Maybe business movements. Currently trains just rocket through them. LOL one gets 1 stop a day and no one is sure why.
What mustn't happen is subsidies preventing price increase for get votes reason.
so by ghosting it only requires one service a week as not a closure