Light rail only works for densely populated work destinations - like downtown LA/SD. They're not going to put in rail stops every 5 blocks so what do you do when your train station is still 2 miles away from your place of employment? Ride a bike? Seriously, that's never going to happen in SoCal for about 98% of the folks.
I like the carpool lane. Last year I commuted everyday with a coworker on the 15 between San Marcos and Mission Valley - benefits in gas and time. Admittedly, the Ahole who designed the carpool lane must of been was high cause it ended in Carmel Mountain - right where the traffic really gets bad. CalTrans is working now to widen from Carmel Mountain to Escondido over the next couple of years. If I'm still dong the same route I will definitely be looking for a new carpool buddy. Hopefully by then I'll be telcommuting to work 2-3 days a week too. Just when you think traffic can't get worse it does. Starts at 05:00 these days
