Do not forget the racist element - in the US, public transit is thought of as the domain of blacks - as for example illustrated by the racist slur used to describe Baltimore's light rail - it is called "dark rail, " or comments that "public transit will bring crime (i.e. blacks) to our neighborhood." The crappy appearance and service are due mainly to unwillingness of many whites to "subsidize" things for blacks, be it transit, schools, or housing.
Wojtek