A lot of this is comes down to preference. I mean sure, I would prefer to be in the back of my private car, but given the choice between the stress of driving

A lot of this is comes down to preference. I mean sure, I would prefer to be in the back of my private car, but given the choice between the stress of driving, and the stress of reading somewhere crowded? I will pay extra to get the time reading, and I will deal with the crowds for a discount. The monetary equation won't balance, if you are neutral on driving vs reading preferences, until we start requiring reasonable liability insurance minimums, and until I can get housing and my employer can get office space without paying for parking. The true costs of driving in silicon valley are dominated by parking and by the unfunded liability inherent to the activity.