Cost of public transportation in Toronto is around $2k/yr whereas car ownership (monthly payments, gas, insurance, maintenance) is close to $8-10k/yr. I'd imagi

Cost of public transportation in Toronto is around $2k/yr whereas car ownership (monthly payments, gas, insurance, maintenance) is close to $8-10k/yr. I'd imagine it's similar to most places in the US that has public transportation. So yes, most people in North America are already happily paying this extra cost. As NJB/ST videos have shown, society doesn't have to be this way. You say homelessness and mental health is a problem. However, I'd say that's just a symptom of the high cost of living caused in part due to car dependency. Easy access to transportation and thus job opportunities is a key component in social mobility. But when the poor has to pay an unnecessary extra $6-8k/yr to car/oil/insurance companies just to participate in society, they tend to remain poor.