Not to be overlooked , is the effect those " subsidized rides " have on the local highway system, in the form of lessened wear & tear & more room for those who do drive. Yes I know it may amount to taking tax dollars out of one pocket & putting it in another, but it is a fact that 1 million dollars spent on commuter rail goes further than the same amount spent on roads. Also to be considered is the " green effect " of more pollution when those rail commuters have to return to the highways, usually one per car. Won't the Bayshore be a hoot to drive then !!!
When the wife & I honeymooned in the Bay Area 3 years ago, we purposely stayed in San Jose, for reasons of cost as well as accessibility to Caltrain & Amtrak California services. Riding the midday commute N/B with Giants fans was fun; the return S/B late in the evening was fun as well, sharing a 12 pack of Coors Light with a Giants fan !!!