NY actually has this problem in Long Island too. The state built this nice LIRR commuter rail but the houses around the rail are very low density (uh zoning again) so it services way too few people.

Part of the issue is that the cities are too spread out (because zoning) so even if you throw huge amounts of $ in transit, it’s not enough. Just look at LA. It has a pretty extensive transit system but because the density is too low, doesn’t matter.

You only have to build 1/4 the transit if the buildings are on average 6 stories instead of 1.5 stories