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> For the majority, that means driving in a clean, private car.

Not the majority. At least not in sensibly operating cities.

https://www.nycedc.com/blog-entry/new-york-commute

This decision is also largely economic and cars are hugely subsidized in America compared to public transit.

fwiw caltrain is not like this at all

used to ride next to a twitter guy who referred to it as the "premium" option...

Caltrain isn't completely immune to public transit foibles, but it's mostly hazard-free, primarily because people use it exclusively as transportation and not "a place to hang out outside of the elements". Fare evasion is actually checked for regularly, and it's enforced.

I always take Caltrain when I go directly to/from the ballpark, even though I have parking passes for all games (which almost always can be sold at a profit).