Why is SF Bay Area public transportation so expensive?

Question

It's cheaper to drive from San Jose to San Francisco than taking Caltrains. Should'nt transportation be cheaper than driving (especially when gas it almost 5 dollars a gallon) What does that say about our culture?

Answer 1

No, it isn't cheaper to drive.  Remember that the cost of gas is only one part of the cost of driving.  The real cost of driving is in the depreciation of the car, the maintenance costs, etc.  According to AAA, the average cost of driving a sedan is around 50 cents a mile.  The train is certainly cheaper.

Answer 2

wow.