8 habits of highly successful commuter rail lines

This page discusses what it takes for a rail line to be a successful commuter line. They are:

1. The ideal commuter rail line improves on current transit options
2. The ideal commuter rail line makes use of unused rail capacity in a corridor where highway capacity is scarce
3. The ideal commuter rail line serves more than commuters
4. The ideal commuter rail line has a city at each end
5. The ideal commuter rail line offers good connections to multiple employment centers
6. The ideal commuter rail line serves long trips
7. The ideal commuter rail line connects to local transit
8. The ideal commuter rail line has stations you can walk (or bike) to

It's an interesting read, I agree with its points and it basically describes the NEC rail line. The author is from the Houston area which seems to have no commuter rail service.