The thing is, cars are heavily subsidised, more than people realise. For one, there are heavy negative externalities associated with cars. Governments choose t

The thing is, cars are heavily subsidised, more than people realise. For one, there are heavy negative externalities associated with cars. Governments choose to ignore those - and hence are in essence subsidising car users for free. If drivers actually had to pay the full cost of cars in terms of environment and health impact, they would be up in arms. And of course there is infrastructure - car owners don't even cover a fraction of the actual cost of this - it all comes from general taxation. So yes, we as a society have chosen to heavily subsidise car use, possibly for cultural or emotional reasons. But ultimately, the piper will have to be paid. That's why I think we should all do our part to, as you say, encourage public transport use - and more walking/cycling. My dream is that car usage might actually one day be charged at its true cost, instead of asking society to foot it's bill - but I think that's a long way off.