It's not really the fault of the transit agencies. For decades the US has lived with the Automobile Culture and advertising-driving associations of cars with st

It's not really the fault of the transit agencies. For decades the US has lived with the Automobile Culture and advertising-driving associations of cars with status and luxury. That dovetailed into the white-flight suburbs and far-flung roads and streets that necessitated a car. Malls built with cars in mind, out of walking distance from where people lived. Over the decades, especially since the 60s, one could equate 'hardship' and 'low social status' with being non-white and living in multi-family housing. NYC and a couple of other cities in the US are the exceptions. Compare with LA, SF, Dallas, and most of Florida.