Everyone is better off that way, I pay for roads and public transport I very seldom use, but other people paid for my education and my medications. At least I won't die because I can't afford insulin or go bankrupt if I have any semi serious disease/accident.
At the end of the day that's exactly how any insurance work, everyone give in all the time and a very small portion of the population gain from it at any point in time.
Build more roads, make them wider roads, but traffic is still horrible. What to do?
It’s funny how bad things need to get before some people will fund mass transit.
cleaner air
Only if it displaces more pollution than it contributes itself. Running mostly empty trains and buses worsens both congestion and pollution."Luxembourg's public transport system covers the whole country and costs $562 million (€508 million) per year to run. Each year, it generates around $46 million in ticket sales, according to the ministry."
$46 mil is still a lot given the gov't tax revenue is only $25 billion / year, but I'm sure they also calculated plenty of upsides when they made the decision.
In Europe, you might use a car if you're out in the country, but you still use transport. Historically car transport was subsidised anyway - because it makes sense to do so.
The number of people who walk everywhere is minuscule (and even then you're using maintained footpaths).