The comments on the bike path I couldn't agree with more. But SMART has so many other serious shortcomings. For instance: How come doodlebugs? How come 6 years? How come a commute operation when the SF commute is in historic decline? How come an inadequate terminal at Larkspur which doesn't provide for tourist trains, probably the only significant ridership potential for SMART in its current iteration?

SMART has allowed Marin County to take over policy making by playing hard to get and they have dumbed down the scheme. The Novato lawsuit plays on a very real reservoir of hostility towards rail transit in Marin County. The best approach is for Sonoma County to build its own electric light rail system even if it means laying down a second track next to the NCRA-NWP. Once it is up and running and hopefully reasonably successful given the very low transit usage in Sonoma County perhaps Marin will see what it is missing out on and get on board. And this extension would feature grade separation in downtown San Rafael and would proceed to Marin City as its terminus, not picky-picky Larkspur. At Marin City it would be a hop-on to GGT buses to the City. A deal with SF Muni buses to serve this point would be another possiblity. A campaign for a second deck for rail on the bridge would then be politically feasible.

I guess miracles do happen but a SMART victory in Marin will have to be heaven-sent.