Reducing a small cost isn't going to get people to switch modes if the service isn't good, whereas people may well switch modes and pay the cost if the service

Reducing a small cost isn't going to get people to switch modes if the service isn't good, whereas people may well switch modes and pay the cost if the service is good. Which is to say, people in the US mostly don't use transit because it mostly isn't a good option, not because it carries a small fee.