I prefer rail over bus wherever the potential patronage justifies the extra expense. For instance I certainly advocate returning streetcars to Geary Street in San Francisco straightaway. This is one of the busiest public transit corridors in the U.S. Merchant opposition is a big obstacle and there are a number of people in the Richmond district who remain convinced that buses are faster and more reliable than light rail. These are genuine stakeholders - they are regular users of the line. The performance of the Muni Metro light rail needs to be improved to secure public support for expansions.

The single biggest obstacle to surface transit improvements is opposition from automobile interests who oppose any restriction to their "mobility". Bus Rapid Transit doesn't much appeal to me but it does at least represent an effort to carve out a reserved space for transit. It is encouraging that Berkeley just turned down a measure against the reserved ROW concept.

Motor coach technology has improved a lot in recent years and have raised the bar for smoothness of ride. Passenger trains that ride like cattle cars just won't cut it. That's why I am so excited by the HSR as it will set a new standard of passenger comfort.