back when I started driving, I could buy a good running car for less than $75. (bought MINE, a 1949 Chevy for $35.) ins was 50. for a whole year, and gas was around 25 cents a gallon.
EVERYONE wanted and HAD a car, and there was no NEED for much pubic transportation, even though there were buses AND trolley cars available.
People got locked in on the idea that a car or even 2 or 3 cars, were a necessity, and it's still that way today, even though they are a LOT MORE expensive than way back then.