1A privately operated railway line, as opposed to JR or other publicly run railways.
大阪から神戸までは私鉄でも簡単に行ける。
You can easily get from Osaka to Kobe using a private railway line as well.
この地域にはいくつもの私鉄が競うように路線を伸ばしている。
Several private railway companies are extending their lines competitively in this area.
私鉄の定期券はJRの路線には使えないことが多い。
A private railway commuter pass often can't be used on JR lines.