[ceeplusplus]

1) I've ridden Amtrak as well, and the sole reason it doesn't smell like piss is because there's a conductor who aggressively checks people's tickets and kicks people off who haven't paid.

2) In my experience Boston was _the_ best light rail system in the US I've ridden by far. Only China was better (because it ran at faster travel speeds and had more modern train cars). You should come to the Bay and experience BART for what light rail in other cities is like. I recommend the Civic Center station and any of the Oakland stations for the optimal experience. Bonus points for if you decide to walk for more than 1 block around said stations at night.