Rail is most certainly a panacea for traffic, when properly utilized. For example, the LIRR moves more people into NYC's Penn Station during the 4 hour morning rush hour than the 7 lanes of highway through Queens can move into Manhattan. Take away the LIRR and I wouldn't be able move my car during rush hour in Queens.Rail is not a panacea for traffic. A whole lot of people wouldn't be helped in the slightest by that effect on the roadways.No, rail has value for everyone. The problem is that many simply don't realize that; they equate value with "would they ride it." But everyone in this country gains value by the rail that is currently in use. They gain value by having fewer people in front of them when they drive down a road/highway. They gain value by having less expense for the roads. They gain value by having the cheaper subsidies for trains instead of the more expensive subsidies for buses.
Now I'll grant that's a unique situation, but the simple reality is that unless you don't ever visit or even get near any of our cities with a population of 100,000 or more, you would still benefit from reduced traffic if you are driving near a city with rail. And I'd bet that maybe 10% or less of the population can make such a claim that they don't visit any city of size.