Rosy view: ACE started as a basic commuter with 2 trains to SJ in the morning and 2 returning to Stockton in the evening. The trains were plain-vanilla Bombardier cars (were some refurbs?) and a few refurb diesels. Intermediate stations were initially just bare platforms some with park n ride lots. IOW on a shoestring. Once it became clear that people would ride the trains, they gradually got money to make the stations nicer and add trains.

So, I don't see a huge problem with starting with a 2-round-trip commuter service. They might be biting off a bit much with some of the new stations, though.

That said, this looks kind of like something kludged up to substitute for the Cap Corridor extension that now looks like it won't happen. Good luck, but don't expect to buy tickets until well after 2030.

I'd kind of like somebody knowledgeable discussing Caltrains plans for the SJ-Gilroy segment. Weren't they thinking of buying some dual-mode Stadlers or FLiRTs that could do the SJ-Gilroy run on batteries then use the wire north of Tamien (for running and recharging)? Anything new about that?