[buxtehude]

In many countries around the world they build more than two parallel tracks - at least 3 or 4 - so you can have fast lanes as well as slower local lanes.

The problem with BART is that it's all a local train - stopping at every station on your way. If you are going from SF to Oakland - probably not a big deal - but if you live on the ends of the lines, quite annoying and very time consuming.

These systems really need to change their mindset to compete with cars. It should be fast and efficient - preferably much faster than cars - so there is a strong incentive for the public to use them.

[mjevans]

Not just faster than cars; faster than cars under ideal circumstances for cars.

[briandear]

Is waiting 30 minutes for a train faster than just driving directly? Generally not. So trains aren’t necessarily faster.