Mass Transit is a "losing proposition" in the same way that automobile travel, aviation and waterways are losing propositions because all modes, especially automobiles, require substantial public spending well in excess of user fees.

Gasoline taxes typically pay for construction and some maintenance activities of Interstate highways and state roads. They do not pay for the cost of local roads or local traffic police. Most recently, the Highway Trust Fund had to be bailed out of the general fund, so gasoline taxes no longer cover the costs of Interestes and other road facilities subsidized by the feds. (and please, don't blither about federal funds for trails - that is such a miniscule amount that elimination of federal aid to trails and other non-highway modes would not significantly close the gap between available transportation revenues and highway needs).

On to of all of that, the National Safety Council estimates the annual costs of deaths and injuries associated with automobile accidents is $230 Billion.