Cars are not so much expensive to operate as much as they are very risky to operate. From accident deductibles to accidentally taking a right on red because you missed the sign to stuff like getting towed because you didn't catch the no parking sign. I've spent most of my adult life without a car and it's amazing how much stuff is set up to extract income from car owners. Life without a car provides a lot less "accidental fees" as I call them. Things that you can't insure against but could cost you unexpected expense.
And the problem is the current system design forces all people to take on the risk of owning a car—many of whom are exhausted and working multiple jobs just to live from day to day, not the greatest for being alert behind the wheel.
