Agreed. The other problem is connectivity - if you aren't close to a hub you can actually get to, and that BART didn't connect south along the east bay until very recently.
I once looked at how long to get to work by public transit (~20 miles each way) - it was estimated at 1.5 hours each way (multiple buses + some walking), and costing ~$12-15 each way (15+ years ago). It took 25 minutes each way to drive on a good day, 45 each way on a bad day. Worst case was ~60 minutes to get home.
On average, it would take 2+ hours less PER DAY to drive, and cost $5-10 less, calculating driving cost at $0.50/mile. Plus I could go on my own schedule, no walking in the rain, etc. There was very little "win" for public transit in any way.
I once looked at how long to get to work by public transit (~20 miles each way) - it was estimated at 1.5 hours each way (multiple buses + some walking), and costing ~$12-15 each way (15+ years ago). It took 25 minutes each way to drive on a good day, 45 each way on a bad day. Worst case was ~60 minutes to get home.
On average, it would take 2+ hours less PER DAY to drive, and cost $5-10 less, calculating driving cost at $0.50/mile. Plus I could go on my own schedule, no walking in the rain, etc. There was very little "win" for public transit in any way.