so why does caltrain cost so much money? especially in a part of the world that smugly prides itself on being environmentally concious to the point of being rediculous...you would think that they would try to put some of that communism style of politics that they love in these parts into action by subsidising public transportation like caltrain...I'd love to ride the train to work, and I'm sure a lot of other people would too if it were economical...hell, I'm sure lots of people without cars that live in san francisco wouldn't mind living some where in the bay that was cheaper and commuting into the city...what good is public transportation if you price it so high that no-one uses it...

Decius does a great job of pointing out the practical stuff, so let me do the exact opposite and focus on the esoteric.. I'll even pretend to be serious.

The 101 is the leading indicator of the valley's economic health. When the traffic started to seriously drop off in 2001, we knew the dot-com was over. The more times the traffic is stop-and-go bumper-to-bumper on your way home, the better business is doing! Not to mention, all the billboards and building signs on the 101 are actually "They Live" style methods of subliminal messaging. You don't know it, but you are being blasted with covert messages that tie you into the Silicon Valley grand design.

Until it takes a hour and a half just to get between Redwood City and SFO again, there is no incentive to actually make the economics of Caltran work. The Dow may be breaking records again, but how's the traffic in the valley??

RE: caltrain blows