[Publius]

The problem is getting these stations into the downtowns of major metro areas.

But these stations have been in the major city downtowns for over a century. The CalTrain terminal (formerly SP) at 4th & Townsend is an example. So is the Oakland depot at Jack London Square.

[GoreIsLove]

The Caltrain station is used for mass transit, though. The idea for SF is to use the old transit building at Spear and Market since the Caltrain Station is already in use, though the TransBay terminal would be a logical alternative as it truly does connect rather pain-free to BART, MUNI, AC Transit, SAM Trans and Golden Gate.

Jack London Square is where the Amtrak station is, and would be logical, but in order to get into the City, people have to hop onto a bus and cross the Bridge to get to their final destination.