Well, actually - infrastructure basically doesn’t pay off, unless tolls are set in place.
Rail and public x can.
And as a rail-lover, I can tell you there are many benefits to trains vs. buses - as I say, the latter have all the cons of all other transportation w/o any of the pros.
Often the problem with rail is in the execution. Half-hearted attempts ARE limited, by their nature. A full smart plan is great though. Baltimore’s subway/light-rail stinks. It is extremely limited in scope, that’s why. It’s not at all well-planned. Someone was really stupid - in this city, not a shock.
But DC’s subways are fantastic, and extremely popular - because they cover maximum area and are very efficient.
Same is true of NY and Boston, etc - although those are much older. I had to use new examples, though.
gLAD YTOU LOVE RAIL...But in a city like Minneapolis/saint paul it makes ZERO sense. Things are way to spread out here for it to work. Manhatten, Tokyo, places with millions in very small area’s yes. Minneapolis, a total joke and absolutely laughable.